Zhao Wei
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This is a Chinese name; the family name is Zhao
| Born: | 12 March 1976 Wuhu, Anhui, PRC |
|---|---|
| Occupation: | Actress, C-pop singer |
Zhao Wei (Simplified Chinese: 赵薇; Traditional Chinese: 趙薇; pinyin: Zhào Wēi; born 12 March 1976 in Wuhu, Anhui, China) is a Chinese film actress and pop singer. Audiences sometimes refer to her by her English name, Vicki Zhao.<ref name="time">Beyond Cute. TIME Asia Magazine. 29 March 2004. Retrieved 25 October 2006.</ref>
After being chosen to work as an extra on a filming set, Zhao developed a passion in film acting. Zhao's breakout role as a leading actress was in Princess Pearl, a television series. In 1999, after Princess Pearl was broadcast, Zhao also began a singing career with her first album, Swallow.
Throughout her career, Zhao has engaged herself in more varied roles, such as Lu Yiping in Romance in the Rain, a policewoman named An Xin in Jade Goddess of Mercy, the playful Qu Ran in A Time to Love, and the gentle, intelligent Yao Mulan Moment in Peking. She has also remained active in her music, recording several albums since 1999.
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[edit] Early life
Born and raised in Wuhu, Anhui Province, China, Zhao was the second child of Zhao Jiahai and Wei Jiying. Her father, Zhao Jiahai, was an appliance designer. Zhao had one older brother, named Zhao Jian. She graduated from Teachers’ College Elementary School (Shi Fan Fu Xiao) and Teachers’ College High School (17th Secondary School Shi Fan). Originally, Zhao was working towards a career in teaching, like her mother. At the time, Zhao claimed to have never considered the prospect of an acting career. "I thought actresses had to be beautiful, and I thought I was ordinary," Zhao commented on occasion.<ref name="time"/> However, in 1993, a filming crew arrived in Wuhu looking for extras for the film Hua Hun, starring Gong Li. Afterwards, Zhao decided to pursue an acting career. Looking for ways to leave town, Zhao looked for opportunities to enroll in a film school. She later discovered a new film arts school in Shanghai, opened by the renowed director Xie Jin. In 1996, Zhao received first class results in her entrance exam to Beijing Film Academy's Performance Institute. She graduated from there in 2000.<ref>Vicki Profile. Zhao Wei International Family. Retrieved 25 October 2006.</ref>
[edit] Career
[edit] Early work, 1993-1997
Zhao received her first experience behind the camera in 1993 when she was chosen to act as an extra in Hua Hua, a film starring Gong Li. In 1995, after completing her high school exams, Zhao decided to star in her first television series, Yu Tian You Gu Shi. The same year, she was hired by Xie Jin, the director that opened Xie Jin's Star Academy, to star in one of his movies, Penitentiary Angel. It was the first time Zhao had a substantial role in any work. Zhao herself did not find her performance fulfilling, but treated it as a valuable experience. "My performance was pretty terrible." says Zhao, "but if you've been in a film by a famous director, no matter how well you did, then other less-famous directors will want to use you."<ref name="time"/>
[edit] Rise to prominence, 1998-2001
After playing minor roles in various series and films, Zhao received her first leading role in a series called Sisters in Beijing. There, she was spotted by famous Taiwanese romance writer Chiung Yao, who was looking for actors. At the time, Chiung Yao commented that Zhao was a little chubby but talented. In 1997, Zhao had lost some weight and was offered one of the leading roles in Chiung Yao's television series Princess Pearl. Filming the television series Princess Pearl was an arduous task for Zhao and her co-stars. Zhao herself acknowledged the intensity of filming:
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The hard work of the cast yieled unexpected results. After Princess Pearl was broadcast, it enjoyed the highest ratings in China<ref name="time"/>. Zhao quickly rose to prominence. In 1999, she became the youngest actress to win the Golden Eagle Awards (Mainland China's Emmy) for "Best Actress".<ref name="starlet">Björkell, Stina. Vicki Zhao - China's Multi-Talented Starlet. Radio86. 9 August 2006. Retrieved 9 November 2006.</ref> Following this, she continually to star in a number of successful television series and movies and released a number of well-sold albums.
Following her role Princess Pearl, Zhao became a prominent actress in China. Feeling that she had achieved all she could in television, she went on to star in a few movies in Hong Kong. In 2001, she guest starred in the box office hit Shaolin Soccer alongside Hong Kong actor, director, and producer Stephen Chow. In there, Zhao played an unattractive bun maker, turning away from the cute image she had earned from her role in Princess Pearl. The actress herself expressed disgust at her image in the movie, commenting: "Have you seen it? I looked disgusting in it."<ref>Zhao Wei sometimes tires of fame. China Daily. 12 July 2001. Retrieved 27 October 2006.</ref> However, Zhao feels her role in Shaolin Soccer was also a learning experience for her. "I wanted a challenge," Zhao commented in an interview. "And he really gave it to me. In China people think I'm cute; he didn't let me look cute. People say I have big eyes; he taped them down. My old characters were all kind of wild; here I was very subdued. Everything I did before, he reversed." <ref name="time"/>
Also in 2001, she filmed another series written by Chiung Yao titled Romance in the Rain. Zhao participated on a romantic comedy produced by Wong Kar Wai under director Jeff Lau as "Princess Phoenix" in "Chinese Odyssey 2002" together with Tony Leung Chin Wai, Faye Wong, and Chang Chen. Zhao was nominated for "Best Supporting Actress" at 39th Golden Horse Awards.<ref name="golden horse chinese odyssey">39th Annual Golden Horse Awards. LOVE HK Film. Retrieved 27 November 2006.</ref> In 2002, Zhao worked with actresses Shu Qi and Karen Mok in So Close.<ref name="time"/> The film, directed by Corey Yuen, was well-received.
[edit] Stardom, 2002-present
After filming Romance in the Rain, Zhao began focusing on filming movies. In 2003, Zhao starred in four films - My Dream Girl, Warriors of Heaven and Earth, Green Tea, and Jade Goddess of Mercy. Each film was critically acclaimed and presented Zhao in a different role. One of these four films, Jade Goddess of Mercy, was directed by Ann Hui, a well-known director in Asia.<ref name="time"/> It co-starred Nicholas Tse, a popular singer-actor from Taiwan. After much speculation over who would receive the female lead in Hui's new film, Jade Goddess of Mercy, the lead role (An Xin) was finally offered to Zhao. Starring in the film elevated Zhao's stardom even more. Zhao received critical acclaim for her role. In TIME Asia magazine's review of Jade Goddess of Mercy, reviewer Bryan Walsh commented: "Despite plot twists that strain credulity, the film works, thanks mostly to Zhao's soulful performance as a cop torn between love, duty and motherhood. With her elfin stature, Zhao couldn't intimidate a jaywalker, but her convincing portrayal confirms her status as one of China's best actresses."<ref>Love Hurts. TIME Asia. 3 May 2004. Retrieved 27 November 2006.</ref> On numerous occasions, Zhao has told reporters about the respect she has for Ann Hui, the director of the film. In an article by Time Asia, Zhao recalled: "In the morning, when I'd come to the set, Ann would scrutinize my face and eyes to see if they were bright or dull. And she'd say, 'I can see you slept well last night.' She really understood the actors she was working with, as if we were precision instruments."<ref name="time"/>
In 2004, Zhao was cast to dub the character Princess Fiona when Shrek 2 was released in China.<ref>Mainland Pop Stars Dub for Shrek 2. CRI News. 8 May 2004. Retrieved 27 November 2006.</ref> Further, she won the "Most Popular Actress" award (the equivalent of a Best Actress award) at the 11th Beijing Student Film Festival for her performance in Warriors of Heaven and Earth<ref name="imdb">Biography for Zhao Wei. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 26 October 2006.</ref>, even though she only had 25 lines of dialogue in the entire movie.
2005 proved to be a successful year for Zhao after she won the Best Actress award at the Shanghai International Film Festival and tied with Zhang Ziyi for the Huabiao Award, the highest governmental award towards the film industry.<ref name="imdb"/> Both were for her performance in A Time to Love. Zhao once again won "Best Actress" for her performance in A Time To Love at The 8th Changchun China Film Festival in 2006.<ref name="changchun">Zhao Wei crowned Golden Deer film queen for her performance in A Time to Love at the 8th Changchun Film Festival. Zhao Wei International Family. 26 August 2006. Retrieved 24 November 2006.</ref> Finally, after a four year break from television series, Zhao starred as Yao Mulan in a remake of Lin Yutang's Moment in Peking. When audiences compared Zhao's Yao Mulan with the previous actress who portrayed Yao Mulan, 80% of audiences preferred Zhao's performance.<ref>Jiang, Xiangling. Zhao Wei’s performance exceeds Zhao Yazhi’s. Zhao Wei International Family. 17 May 2006. Retrieved 24 November 2006.</ref> [[In conjunction, she was ranked No. 4 on Forbes' 2006 List of Top Chinese Celebrities. <ref name="Forbes">Forbes 2006 China's Top 10 Celebrity Rankings List. Karazen News. 11 March 2006. Retrieved 26 October 2006.</ref> Zhao remains as one of the most successful actress in the contemporary Chinese acting industry.
Following her performance in Moment in Peking, Zhao went on to star in two films in 2006. Zhao portrayed a taxi driver in The Longest Night in Shanghai, which is expected to be released in 2007. Meanwhile, her other film, The Postmodern Life of My Aunt, premiered at film festivals around the world, including the Toronto International Film Festival. Her guest starring role in the film resulted in Zhao's second Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Golden Horse Awards.<ref name="golden horse postmodern">Winners and Nominees. The 43rd Annual Golden Horse Awards Competition. Retrieved 27 November 2006.</ref>
In 2005, Zhao took an exam for a Masters' class in directing at her alma mater, Beijing Film Academy. After passing with flying colors, Zhao returned to Beijing Film Academy in September 2006 as a graduate student in the Directing Department. Currently, she is studying under the instruction of the famed director Tian Zhuangzhuang.
Currently, Zhao's newest television series is titled Thank You for Having Loved Me. For her role in Thank You for Having Loved Me, Zhao received a salary of 100,000 RMB per episode.<ref>Zhao Wei to receive remuneration of more than RMB$100,000 to act a single mother; remarks that being unmarried is a common trend in modern society. Zhao Wei International Family. 9 August 2006. Retrieved 24 November 2006.</ref> After three months of filming during the summer in Shanghai, the series was completed in September 2006. It is scheduled to be broadcast possibly by the end of 2006.<ref>Production of "Thank you for having loved me" completed; could be broadcast by the end of the year. Zhao Wei International Family. 20 September 2006. Retrieved 30 October 2006.</ref>
[edit] Music
In 1999, Zhao also entered the music industry and released her first album, Swallow. It included several tunes from the series Princess Pearl. Since then, she has released several other albums. The same year, Magic of Love was released. In 2001, Zhao released the album The Last Separation, based on her recent breakup with her boyfriend. Zhao's first three albums sold well in China, selling over 3 million copies, but received a lukewarm response from critics. <ref name="imdb"/> As part of the soundtrack for Romance in the Rain, Zhao performed several songs written by Chiung Yao. In the actual television series, Zhao's character, Lu Yiping, also performed many songs.
After taking a three-year break from singing to focus on her acting work, in 2004 Zhao released the album Piao (飄), meaning "moving as time goes by." Zhao recorded this album in hopes of coping with the rumours about her. Fans and critics alike feel Zhao's new album shows a more mature and expressive singing technique.<ref>Zhao Wei releases new music album. China Daily. 11 November 2004. Retrieved 27 October 2006.</ref> Included in the album were hits such as "Jian Jian" and "Continuous Rainy Sunday." Her most recent album is titled Double (双), which included the popular hits "One Tiny Part" and "Shangguan Yan and I." It also included "Fa Xian (Realize)", based on the theme song of Moment in Peking.
Her music career is highlighted by her wins in the Channel V's 12th Chinese Music Billboard Event in 2006. Zhao won awards for Most Popular Female Artist and Most Popular Music Video for her music video "Shangguan Yan and I."<ref name="channel v">Zhao Wei realizes dream to take 2 awards at 12th Chinese Music Billboard Event. Zhao Wei International Family. 12 January 2006. Retrieved 30 November 2006.</ref> Zhao was also awarded MTV Asia's Favourite Artist from Mainland China.<ref name="MTV">MTV Asia Awards 2006 Honors The Best From West And East With Revolutionary Duets And World Debut Performances MTV Asia. 6 May 2006. Retrieved 26 October 2006.</ref>
[edit] Zhao in the media
As a result of her fame, Zhao Wei has been a regular subject of tabloids. In 2001, a woman named Zou Xue published a picture of Zhao wearing a dress with a Japanese military flag on the cover of Bazaar Magazine.<ref name="lady luck article">Lady luck?. China Daily. 19 August 2004. Retrieved 27 October 2006.</ref> The Chinese saw it as a sign of disrespecting government policy, as well as the sensibilities of Chinese. The Chinese, still angry over the war with Japan, responded furiously. Zhao's relations with mainland audiences were strained. At a concert, she was tackled by Fu Shenghua, a construction worker who said his grandparents had been killed during the war. He smeared her face with feces. Reflecting upon his actions, Fu told a Chinese magazine: "I know what I did wasn't right. But I believe my cause was just ... As a famous Chinese person, she should have been aware of such an important event in Chinese history."<ref name="time"/>
In 2004, a pregnant woman named Zou Xue accused Zhao Wei of beating her. Zou was also the woman who published the picture of Zhao wearing the Japanese dress. Zhao and Zou worked as business partners to open the bar Z1 in Beijing.<ref name="lady luck article"/> Zou claimed that Zhao had instructed her chauffeur to hit Zou after a business dispute between the two in July. At the time, Zou was eight months pregnant. In response, Zou filed a lawsuit and asked for a compensation of 2,246.6 yuan, as well as a public apology. Zhao denied hitting Zou and avoided involvement in legal matters, continuing to film her television series Moment in Peking.<ref>Zhao Wei accused of beating pregnant woman. China Daily. 21 December 2004. Retrieved 27 October 2006.</ref>
After filing a lawsuit against Zhao, Zou welcomed journalists, while Zhao ignored them. Zou also claimed that Zhao often used drugs with her friends at their bar, Z1. In addition, she told the press that Zhao was often vulgar and abusive towards her staff. In response, Zhao's brother, Zhao Jian, is protesting that Zou purposely published the picture of Zhao Wei in the "Military Flag" dress as an attack against her.<ref name="lady luck article"/>
Throughout the past years, a few of Zhao's movies, such as Green Tea, Jade Goddess of Mercy, and A Time to Love did not receive high box office earnings. Because of this, the media criticized Zhao as the "bane of the box office", or "box office poison." When reporters confronted Zhao about this, she has expressed discomfort and frustration. In response to this label, Zhao commented:
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After winning the Shanghai Film Festival Best Actress Award in 2005, Zhao became the subject of controversy. Several reporters felt she did not deserve the award.<ref name="changchun"/>In 2006, Zhao became involved in more tabloid speculation. Rumours spread that she was fighting with actresses Sun Li and Li Bingbing over a role as a "salon girl" in Falling Leaves. Zhao cleared up these rumours by stating she would not be acting as a "salon girl."<ref>Topic Queen ignores tabloid speculation; will not be acting 'Salon Girl'. Zhao Wei International Family. 14 August 2006. Retrieved 24 November 2006.</ref>
[edit] Personal life
[edit] Relationships
Throughout her career, the media has made many speculations about Zhao's personal life, including relationships with several of her co-stars. However, Zhao has attempted to keep her relationships private. In 2001, Zhao broke up with her long-term boyfriend. As a result, Chiung Yao wrote her the song "Zuihou Yici Fenshou" (最后一次分手), directly translated as "The Last Separation." In 2004, Zhao ended her relationship with Wang Yu. After Zhao's refusal to star in Princess Pearl 3, actress Huang Yi was selected to replace Zhao in her famed role as "Xiao Yan Zi." When Zhao's past boyfriend, Wang Yu, began dating Huang Yi in 2005, it became a popular subject in the media.<ref>黄奕热恋汪雨 在街上十指紧扣撬赵薇墙脚. Xinhua News. 18 July 2005. Retrieved 9 November 2006.</ref> The media often depicted a feud between the two actresses. Zhao herself has not expressed any regret regarding her relationship with Wang Yu. "After becoming an artiste, I've obtained a lot, but I also lost many things. I got a job that I like; I had many opportunities, and I also got many kinds of love."<ref>No regrets in the pursuit of love. Zhao Wei International Family. 16 January 2006. Retrieved 21 November 2006.</ref>
On occasion, Zhao has discussed her love life with reporters. "I'm not anxious. I have several friends who are over thirty years old, and they are also unmarried. So there's really no hurry. Right now, career comes first..." Zhao Wei stressed that she will not give up her acting career even after she gets married, as acting is her passion. "If I stop acting, I will not have anything to focus on. Life will be so empty, and I definitely can't endue such emptiness. So, my would-be husband must understand me on this issue."<ref name="life weekly"/>
[edit] Charity work
After rising to prominence, Zhao has been actively involved in projects for various causes. In 2002, Zhao set up a scholarship fund in Wuhu, her hometown. In 2006, Zhao, along with her former classmate Chen Kun, was chosen to represent YALU, a fashion company. YALU had set up a fund of 5 million RMB to help the construction of new villages in China.<ref>Represent for YALU Chen Kun and Zhao Wei cooperate for the first time. Zhao Wei International Family. 27 August 2006. Retrieved 3 December 2006.</ref>
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Thank You For Having Loved Me | Tan Yu Wei | Television series; Post film-production |
| 2007 | The Longest Night in Shanghai | Lin Xi | Post film-production |
| 2006 | The Postmodern Life of My Aunt | Liu Dafan | completed |
| Fast Track Love | Chen Xiaoxiao | Television series; currently screening | |
| 2005 | A Time To Love | Quran | |
| Moment in Peking | Yao Mulan | Television series | |
| 2004 | Shrek 2 | Princess Fiona | dubbing actress |
| Jade Goddess of Mercy | An Xin | ||
| 2003 | Warriors of Heaven and Earth | Wen Zhu | |
| My Dream Girl | Zhang Ning | ||
| Green Tea | Wu Fang, Lang Lang | ||
| 2002 | So Close | Sue | |
| Chinese Odyssey 2002 | Ah Feng (Phoenix) | ||
| 2001 | Shaolin Soccer | Ah Mui | |
| Romance in the Rain | Lu Yiping | Television series | |
| 2000 | The Duel | Princess Phoenix | |
| Treasure Venture | Lu Jianping | Television series | |
| 1999 | Déjà Vu 2000 | Wei Wei | |
| Princess Returning Pearl II | Xiao Yan Zi | Television series | |
| 1998 | The Lion King II: Simba's Pride | Kiara | dubbing actress |
| Kang Xi Incognito Travel II | Yu Qing'r | Television series | |
| Old House of Joy | Jixiang | Television series | |
| 1997 | Princess Returning Pearl I | Xiao Yan Zi | Television series |
| Magic Formula | Luo Man | Television series | |
| 1996 | East Palace West Palace | A-lan | |
| Sisters' Adventures in Beijing | Bai Xiaoxue | Television series | |
| 1995 | Behind the Wall of Shame | Ding Jing'r | |
| 1994 | La Peintre | Extra |
[edit] Discography
- 1999: Swallow (小燕子)
- 1999: Magic of Love (爱情大魔咒)
- 2001: Romance in the Rain Original Soundtrack (情深深雨濛濛音乐全记录)
- 2001: The Last Separation (最后一次分手)
- 2004: Piao (飄)
- 2005: Double (Double 双)
[edit] Awards
[edit] Acting awards
1999
- The 17th Annual China Television Golden Eagle Award - Best Actress<ref name="starlet"/>
- Top Ten Most Outstanding Individuals in TV industry (Taiwan)
2000
- Top Ten Film/Television Most Outstanding Individuals
2003
- The 11th Beijing Student Film Festival - Most Popular Female Actress
- Southern City Papers - 4th Chinese Movie Media Awards (Most Popular Female Artiste in China)
2005
- The 8th Shanghai International Film Festival - for her performance in A Time to Love<ref name="changchun"/>
- The 10th Movie Academic Society Prize - Golden Phoenix Award (for her role in Jade Goddess of Mercy)
- The 11th China Film Huabiao Awards - Best Actress (for her performance in A Time to Love) <ref name="changchun"/>
2006
- Top Ten Female Actress - first place for her performance in Moment in Peking
- The 8th Changchun China Film Festival - Best Actress for A Time to Love<ref name="changchun"/>
- The 2nd Top Chinese TV Drama Awards "Most Popular Mainland Actress"<ref>票选. Chinese TV Drama Awards. Retrieved 21 November 2006.</ref>
[edit] Singing awards
1999
- China's Pop Songs Chart Committee Special Award - Committee's Best Potential Award
- Radio Hong Kong: Artists - Best Progress Award
- Metro Radio Station: Most Popular Singer Award
2000
- Radio Hong Kong The 22nd Annual Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs - Outstanding Mandarin Song Bronze Award: "There is a Girl"
- Time Movies/TVs Magazine & MTV Music Channel Survey - Most Popular Singer
2001
- 2nd Annual Music Awards - Best Drama Song "Love and Rain"
2004
- 4th "Sprite" My Choice China Original Music Pop Chart - Most Outstanding Multitalented Artist, Most Popular Singer Online
- Music Radio's Top Music Chart 2004 - Most Popular Female Singer
2005
- The 12th East Music Awards - Best Stage Performance<ref>图文：东方风云榜奖杯各归其主--赵薇捧杯. Sina.com. 20 March [[2005]. Retrieved 30 November 2006. </ref>
- The 5th Pepsi Music Chart Awards - Mainland's Most Popular Female Singer <ref>第五届百事音乐风云榜完全获奖名单. Sina.com. 20 March 2005. Retrieved 28 November 2006.</ref>
- The First Season of the China Music Chart - TOP 10 Golden Melody:"The Eternal Shakespeare"
2006
- Channel V Chinese Music Awards - Most Popular Female Artist<ref name="channel v"/>
- The 13th East Music Awards: Most Popular Female Artist
- Music Radio Top Music Chart 2005 Most Popular Female Singer - Mainland China
- The 5th MTV Asia Awards 2006 - Favourite Artist from Mainland China <ref name="MTV"/>
[edit] Other awards
2001
- China Top Ten Most Popular Commercial Model (Nominated for RedEarth and Amoisonic Mobile Phone Advertisements)
- Ranked 2nd of "China Top 10 Artiste for Advertisement"
2002
- Top Chinese Artist Award by The International Famous Entertainment Info TV Station
2003
- "Most Trendy Female Actress (Mainland)" - Lycra Channel Young Award<ref>2003风尚颁奖大典完全获奖名单. Sina.com. 24 October 2003. Retrieved 28 November 2006.</ref>
- "Most Stylish Asian Actress" - MTV China
- Ranked 3rd in "Forbes - China's famous people" <ref name="imdb"/>
2004
- Pierre Cardin Awards
- MTV Style Awards - Best Multitalented Female Artist of the Year
- Sina 2004 Internet China Award - Most Outstanding Actress Personality Award
- Ranked 4th in "Forbes - China's Celebrity Ranking"<ref name="imdb"/>
2005
- Ranked 4th in "Forbes - China's Celebrity Ranking" <ref name="imdb"/>
- China Fashion Award (CFA)- Stylish Female Singer & Stylish Actress
2006
- Ranked 4th in "Forbes - China's Celebrity Ranking" <ref name="Forbes"/>
- Listed in People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People <ref name="imdb"/>
[edit] References
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