[8] To help provide for her family, Leong abandoned school at age 12 to become a model for Emperor Entertainment Group.

From 2005 to 2007, she made a string of films including The Eye 10, Bug Me Not!, Isabella, Diary, and Spider Lilies.

Leong won her first American film role in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, which was released in 2008.

[9] In November 2008, the legal battle between Leong and EEG ended in an out-of-court settlement, with the star "free to pursue her career".

They also provided her with an entourage of caregivers, including five bodyguards, four full-time nannies and a personal attendant.