Zhang Ziyi Profile
Zhang Ziyi (Ziyi Zhang, Zhang Zi Yi)
Zhang Ziyi was trained as a dancer since 10 at the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy, and won in a national competition. Ziyi was regarded as one of nation’s most potential dancer back then but she felt that she couldn’t achieve much as a dancer, and decided to switch path to acting instead.
Ziyi’s talent in dancing perhaps contributed for her being accepted into China best drama school, the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing. Ziyi was just 15 then and had to start all-fresh in acting and worked extra hard than her fellow students.
Zhang Ziyi movie debut was actually back in 1996 with “Touching Starlight” which was not noticeable. Ziyi’s breakthrough was when she went for an audition by renowned director Zhang Yi-Mou, and was selected by the director to lead his next movie.
The movie “The Road Home” was released in 1999, and Zhang Ziyi became a popular name in China.
It was however in 2001 movie, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” directed by Oscar winning director Ang Lee that burst Zhang Ziyi into international superstar status.
Ziyi’s experience with dancing and harsh physical training allowed her to make difficult moves in the martial arts award winning movie, and her kungfu fighting still remains as some of her trademarks nowadays.
Since then Ziyi has star in multiple movies production from Asia to Hollywood. Some of her familiar movies include “Rush Hour 2,” “Hero,” “2046,” “House of Flying Daggers” and “Memoirs Of A Geisha.”
2005 movie Memoirs Of A Geisha created lots of controversies in China where Ziyi was hammered with critics for acting as a Japanese in the movie (China and Japan relationship has been in tight situation ever since World War 2 back in 1940s). The Geisha role however won Ziyi a best actress nomination at US Golden Globe Awards.
Other than acting, Ziyi can sing as well. She sang “The Beauty Song” which was adapted from ancient Chinese poem, which was featured in movie House of Flying Daggers.
Trivia
- Was ranked 2nd of the 100 Sexiest Women by FHM Taiwan (2001).
- Was named one of the 25 Hottest Stars Under 25 by Teen People Magazine(2001).
- Was named one of the 25 Hottest Stars Under 25 by Teen People Magazine (2002).
- Voted in at #100 in FHM’s Sexiest 100 Girls of 2002, UK edition. [June 2002]
- Her first appearance on an American movie was in Rush Hour 2 (2001), but as she doesn’t speak English, Jackie Chan had to translate everything the director said to her.
- Former Spokesmodel of Tag Heuer (watch).
- Spokesmodel of Maybelline (cosmetics).
- Former Spokesmodel of 2% (Korean mineral water).
- Spokesmodel of Pantene shampoo.
- Spokesperson for Coca-Cola (Asia)
- Former Spokesperson for Lenovo Computers (formally known as Legend Computers)
- Forbes magazine’s China edition recently ranked her the second most popular celebrity after NBA player Yao Ming. [August 2004]
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