Jackie Chan Reveals Learning English Through Country Music

Martial arts legend Jackie Chan revealed on The Kelly Clarkson Show that he learned to speak English by listening to country music, appreciating the genre's slower tempo which helped him catch the words more easily. When he first arrived in the U.S. from Hong Kong, Chan struggled to understand directors on film sets and relied heavily on his dialogue coach for translation. To demonstrate his appreciation for country music, Chan sang the chorus of Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind," much to the delight of the audience and Clarkson. Alongside Chan, his Karate Kid: Legends co-stars Ralph Macchio and Ben Wang appeared on the show, with Macchio sharing that he had finally earned his black belt after 41 years. Chan's story highlights the power of music as a tool for language learning and offers an inspiring example of perseverance in adapting to new challenges. The actor's candid reflections also underscore the difficulties he faced early in his Hollywood career, including memorizing lines and mastering English intonation.