'Tomboy' emerges as an atypical singing star

Zhou Bichang has transformed into one of China's best-selling pop stars. Provided to China Daily

Zhou Bichang will cover six cities across the Chinese mainland, including Guangzhou, Chongqing, Beijing and Shanghai, from August to December, to promote her latest album.

When Zhou Bichang became the first runner-up in the Super Girl Competition, a Chinese version of American Idol for female contestants, broadcast by Hunan Satellite Television in 2005, she impressed audiences with her tomboy image and her assured and expressive singing, especially her distinctive interpretation of R&B songs.

Now, over a decade later, Zhou, who was then seen in a T-shirt, jeans and sporting black-framed glasses, has transformed into one of the country's best-selling pop stars.

In a black dress, delicate makeup and high heels, Zhou announced her upcoming national tour in Beijing recently.

To promote her latest album, Not Typical, the tour, which has the same title as the album, will cover six cities across the Chinese mainland, including Guangzhou, Chongqing, Beijing and Shanghai, from August to December.

One of the songs from the album, titled Obsession, released in April, has sold over 500,000 copies via three major online digital streaming music websites, including QQ Music, the music service under China's internet giant, Tencent.

The song, which is co-written by Australian composer Tushar Apte, who has written songs for Western stars such as Chris Brown and Maroon 5, was followed by another single, titled Er Ming, or Noise in the Ear, released on May 26.

The new album comprises "retro and trendy pop songs" by Zhou, who writes about her life experiences in the songs.

"The songs are about everyday situations. For example, we may be obsessed with something, or we may receive so much information that we feel sick of it," says Zhou, 31.