Fong's first big break came when she was performing at a singing hall; she was suddenly "discovered" and given the chance to appear on TV. It was at this time that her name was changed to Fong Fei-fei (literally, Phoenix, Flying-flying).
當時，中華電視台一位戲劇節目的製作人張宗榮，對她十分欣賞，又是她母親的小同鄉，所以安排她上電視，並為她改名「鳳飛飛」。