Zhao Wei

Zhao Wei, Vicki Zhao, Vicky Zhao, Vicki Chao,  Wei Wei, Xiao Wei 赵薇, is a Chinese actress, businesswoman, film director, producer and pop singer. She is considered one of the most popular actresses in China and Chinese-speaking regions, and one of the highest paid actresses. While studying at the Beijing Film Academy, Zhao rose to national and regional prominence overnight for her role as Xiao Yanzi ("Little Swallow") in the hit TV series My Fair Princess (1998–1999), for which she also won Golden Eagle Award for Best Actress. My Fair Princess enjoyed unprecedented success in East and Southeast Asian countries, and Zhao is regarded by many as Mainland China's first "national idol" since the economic reform began in 1978.

Over her 20 years acting career, Zhao has starred in many box-office hits, including Shaolin Soccer (2001), Red Cliff (2008–2009), Painted Skin (2008), Painted Skin: The Resurrection (2012), Dearest (2014) and Lost in Hong Kong (2015). She has received numerous awards from the Shanghai International Film Festival, Huabiao Awards, Changchun Film Festival, Hundred Flowers Awards and Shanghai Film Critics Awards for films like A Time to Love (2005) and Mulan (2009). In 2014, after almost a two-year break from acting, she appeared in Peter Chan's film Dearest, and won the Hong Kong Film Critics Society Award and Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress. While focusing mostly on films, her works also include TV series such as Romance in the Rain (2001), Moment in Peking (2005) and Tiger Mom (2015). She has a music career, starting with her debut album Swallow (1999), and has released 7 albums. In 2006, she won the MTV Asia Award for Favorite Artist from Mainland China, for her album Double. 

Interesing Facts:

-Birthplace: Wuhu, Anhui, China
-Weight: 48kg
-Star sign: Pisces
-Chinese zodiac: Dragon
-Blood type: O
-Family: Older brother, husband/businessman Huang You Long (黄有龙), and daughter Huang Xin (黄新) (born 2010-April-11)
-Zhao ranked 80th on Forbes China Celebrity 100 list in 2013, 22nd in 2014, 7th in 2015, and 28th in 2017.
-Got her master's degree of Film Directing from Beijing Film Academy in 2012. 
-Her directorial debut So Young (2013) was both a box office and critical success. It broke the box office record for films directed by female Chinese directors in a week, and eventually became one of the highest-grossing films in China. The movie earned her multiple awards in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, including Golden Rooster Award for Best Directorial Debut, Hundred Flowers Award for Best Director and Hong Kong Film Award for Best Film from Mainland and Taiwan.
-In 2016, Zhao was named as member of the main Jury at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival.
-In September 2017, she was named as a member of the main competition jury for the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival.

TV Series

    Tiger Mom (2015) as Bi Shen Nan
    The Epic of a Woman (2009)
    Thank You for Having Loved Me (2007) as Tan Yu Wei
    Fast Track Love (2006) as Chen Xiao Xiao
    Moment in Peking (CCTV, 2005) as Yao Mu Lan
    Romance in the Rain (CCTV, 2001) as Lu Yi Ping
    Treasure Venture (2000) as Lu Jian Ping
    Kang Xi Wei Fu Si Fang Ji (1999) as Yue Qing Er
    Princess Returning Pearl II (1999) as Xiao Yan Zi
    Cousin Ji Xiang (1998) as Ji Xiang and Li Mei
    Princess Returning Pearl (1998) as Xiao Yan Zi
    Sisters in Beijing (1997)
    Big Magic Room (1996)

TV Series Theme Songs

    Bu Yao Ba Wo Shou Fang Kai (不要把我手放开) Don't Let Go of My Hand, Fast Track Love ending theme song (2006)
    Qing Shen Shen Yu Meng Meng (情深深雨濛濛), Romance in the Rain opening theme song (2001)

Movies

    Two Tigers (2019)
    Three (2016)
    Lost in Hong Kong (2015)
    Hollywood Adventures (2015)
    You Are My Sunshine (2015)
    12 Golden Ducks (2015)
    Dearest (2014)
    Painted Skin II (2012)
    Love (2012)
    14 Blades (2010)
    The Founding of a Republic (2009)
    Mulan (2009)
    The Battle of Red Cliff II (2009)
    Painted Skin (2008)
    The Battle of Red Cliff (2008)
    The Longest Night in Shanghai (2007)
    The Postmodern Life of My Aunt (2006)
    A Time to Love (2005)
    Goddess of Mercy (2004)
    My Dream Girl (2003)
    Green Tea (2003)
    Warriors of Heaven and Earth (2002)
    Chinese Odyssey (2002)
    So Close (2001)
    Shaolin Soccer (2001)
    The Duel (2000)
    Deja Vu (1999)
    Penitentiary Angel (1999)
    East Palace, West Palace (1996)
    La Peintre (1994)

Recognitions

    17th Golden Eagle Television Awards: Best Actress for Princess Returning Pearl (1999)

Trivia

    Education: Beijing Film Academy (1996-2000)
    Languages: Mandarin, English, Shanghainese, and Anhui dialect
    Talents: Acting, singing, playing the piano, and swimming
    Religion: Buddhism