Valerie Chow
Valerie Chow, born on December 16, 1970, is a former actress, fashion publicist, and entrepreneur from Canada. Known as Rachel Shane in her English language film and television appearances.
Life and Career
1970-93: Early Life and Miss Hong Kong Pageant
Valerie Chow, born on December 16, 1970, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, grew up in an upper-middle-class family as the only child. With a father who was a property developer, Chow’s upbringing was marked by discipline and ambition. After a challenging teenage period in Hong Kong at Marymount Secondary School, she returned to Vancouver, only to move back to Hong Kong in 1991. This move led to her participation in the 1991 Miss Hong Kong Pageant, where she secured the position of first runner-up, catapulting her into the entertainment industry. She briefly studied law at the University of Hong Kong before venturing into television, making her debut in the lifestyle programme Eye on Hong Kong on TVB Pearl. Her film debut came with a cameo in Peter Chan’s He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Father in December 1993.
1994-97: Hong Kong Films
Chow’s entry into the Hong Kong film industry was marked by controversy and acclaim. Her role in the Category-III film Twenty Something was bold, especially for a former Miss Hong Kong contestant. However, it was her performance in Wong Kar-Wai’s Chungking Express that truly established her as a talented actress, earning her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 14th Hong Kong Film Awards. Despite her success, Chow struggled with the seductress image, further fueled by rumors of an affair with Tony Leung Chiu Wai. Between 1995 and 1997, she appeared in several B-movies, including High Risk and a guest role in Tsui Hark’s The Blade.
1997–99: Hollywood and Revlon
In a bold career move, Chow ventured to Hollywood in 1996, adopting the screen name Rachel Shane. She signed with the William Morris Agency and landed a part in the film Phantoms. 1998 marked a significant milestone as she became the first Chinese model for Revlon US, joining the ranks of renowned celebrities in their advertising campaigns.
2000–02: Career Transition, Part-Time Actor
Returning to Hong Kong in 2000, Chow joined the media communications department at Lane Crawford while continuing her acting career. Her role in the ATV series Healing Hearts in 2001 revived her popularity, leading to magazine covers and a Neutrogena ad campaign. She co-starred with Leslie Cheung in Inner Senses (2002), Cheung’s last film.
2003–present: Fashion Publicist, Entrepreneur
Chow shifted her focus from acting to fashion publicity, working for the Pedder Group, part of Lane Crawford. Her talent for marketing and visual creativity was evident in her work, especially in producing engaging store window displays in Hong Kong. In 2010, she embarked on an entrepreneurial venture, opening Mama Kid, a successful children’s clothing boutique in Hong Kong’s Central District, later relocated to Stanley.
Personal Life
Valerie Chow married Darryl Goveas, a Belgian-Indian interior designer based in Hong Kong, in 2005. The couple welcomed their daughter, Carla Goveas, in 2008.
2018: Return to Acting
In a surprising return to acting, Chow starred in Prison Architect, a film by Chinese visual artist Cao Fei. Commissioned by Tai Kwun, the Centre for Heritage and Arts in Hong Kong, the film was featured at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival. The film received widespread acclaim, with many describing it as “heartfelt and beautiful.”
