Zhang Ziyi

Infobox Chinese-language singer and actor
name = Zhang Ziyi


caption = Zhang at the 2006 BAFTAs
chinesename = 章子怡
tradchinesename =
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pinyinchinesename = Zhāng Zǐyí
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origin = People's Republic of China
birthdate = birth date and age|1979|2|9
birthplace = Beijing, China
deathdate =
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occupation = Actress
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yearsactive = 1999 - present
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hongkongfilmwards = Best Actress
2004 "2046"
goldenbauhiniaawards = Best Supporting Actress
2000 "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"
hkfcsawards = Best Actress
2004 "2046"
goldenhorseawards =
goldenroosterawards = Best Actress
2004 "Jasmine Women"
mtvasiaawards =
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Zhang Ziyi (born February 9, 1979, in Beijing) is one of the best-known Golden Globe-nominated Chinese film actresses working today, with a string of Chinese and international hits to her name. She is also one of the four most promising young film actresses (四小花旦) in China, along with Zhao Wei, Xu Jinglei, and Zhou Xun. [ [http://enjoy.eastday.com/eastday/enjoy/node58771/node58833/node123877/userobject1ai1914104.html Four Promising Actress] [http://ent.cctv.com/special/special/C18421/index.shtml Four Young Chinese Stars] ] She has worked with renowned directors such as Zhang Yimou, Ang Lee, Wong Kar-Wai, Chen Kaige, Seijun Suzuki and Rob Marshall.

Early life

Born in Beijing, China, Zhang joined the Beijing Dance Academy at the age of 11. When Zhang's parents suggested she go to the dance academy, she was skeptical. While at the boarding school, she noticed how catty the other girls were while competing for status amongst the teachers. Zhang disliked the attitude so much that, on one occasion, she ran away from the school. [ [http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/2000/1211/zhang.ziyi.html TIMEasia.com | She Makes Magic | 12/11/2000 ] ]

Zhang entered China's prestigious Central Academy of Drama (regarded as the top acting college in China) at the age of 15.

Career

At the age of 19, Zhang was offered her first role in Zhang Yimou's "The Road Home", which won the Silver Bear award in the 2000 Berlin Film Festival.

Zhang further rose to fame due to her role as the headstrong Jen (Chinese version: Xia Long) in the phenomenally successful "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", for which she won the Independent Spirit's Best Supporting Actress Award and the Toronto Film Critics' Best Supporting Actress Award. On the aftermath of the movie in America, the film was a major turning point in Ziyi's career, and resulted as somewhat of a rediscovery for her:

cquote|Because of movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Hero, and Memoirs of a Geisha, a lot of people in the United States have become interested not only in me but in Chinese and Asian actors in general. Because of these movies, maybe there will be more opportunities for Asian actors. It was only my second project, which is why they say it happened so fast for me. The Chinese couldn't understand why overnight I was suddenly famous in America, too. Crouching Tiger didn't do well in China--before we released the movie in theaters there, a pirate version came out on DVD; plus, this kind of big Chinese movie that's so popular in America is not so appreciated in China. A Chinese person is like, "So what? It's just action." Yeah. I began to understand that people loved the movie; I just didn't know how big it was going to become. And then I ended up walking the red carpet at the Academy Awards. Oh, my God! Julia Roberts! Tom Hanks! I walked by all of my idols. That was my first impression of the Oscars, and I still think of them that way. Yes. Tom Hanks said something like, "You're the girl from Crouching Tiger--I love that movie. You did a great job." [http://www.helloziyi.us/Articles/interview-magazine-july2006.htm]

Zhang's first appearance in an American movie was in "Rush Hour 2", but because she didn't speak English at the time, Jackie Chan had to interpret everything the director said to her. In the movie, her character's name, "Hu Li," is translated from Mandarin Chinese to "Fox".

Zhang then appeared in "Hero", with her early mentor Yimou, which was a huge success in the English-speaking world and an Oscar and a Golden Globe contender. Her next film was the "avant-garde" drama "Purple Butterfly" by Lou Ye, which competed at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival. Zhang went back to the martial arts genre with "House of Flying Daggers (called 十面埋伏，"Attack from Ten Sides" in Chinese)", which earned her a Best Actress nomination from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

In "2046", directed by Wong Kar-wai, starring many of the best-known Chinese actors and actresses, Zhang was the female lead and won the Hong Kong Film Critics' Best Actress Award and the Hong Kong Film Academy's Best Actress Award.

Showing her whimsical musical tap-dancing side, Zhang starred in "Princess Raccoon", directed by Japanese legend Seijun Suzuki, who was honored at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.

In 2005, Zhang landed the lead role of Sayuri in the film adaptation of the international bestseller "Memoirs of a Geisha". For the film, she reunited with her "2046" co-star Gong Li and with her "Crouching Tiger" co-star Michelle Yeoh. For the role, Zhang received a 2006 Golden Globe Award nomination, a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination and a BAFTA nomination.

Zhang has also been known to sing, and was featured on the "House of Flying Daggers" soundtrack with her own musical rendition of the ancient Chinese poem, "Jia Rén Qu" (佳人曲, "The Beauty Song"). The song was also featured in two scenes in the film.

On June 27, 2005, it was announced that Zhang had accepted an invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), placing her among the ranks of those able to vote on the Academy Awards. [ [http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2005/05.06.24.html Academy Invites 112 to Membership ] ]

In May 2006, Zhang became the youngest member to sit on the jury of the Cannes Film Festival.

In the fall of 2006, Zhang played Empress Wan in "The Banquet" (Yè Yàn 夜宴), a film set in the Tang Dynasty.

Zhang provided the voice of Karai in the "TMNT" movie that was released on March 23, 2007. She later starred in "The Horsemen" (2008) with Dennis Quaid and in Mei Lanfang (2008).

Zhang will sing for the first time in a duet with Leon Lai for the movie Mei Lanfang. [ [http://ent.sina.com.hk/cgi-bin/news/show_news_f2.cgi?type=focus&name=leon&id=230454 Zhang Ziyi singing a song] ]

Ambassadorship

Zhang is the face of Maybelline, Garnier and Shangri-la Hotel and Resort Group. She is also a Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics and a spokesperson for "Care for Children," a foster-home program in China.

Personal life

Soon after Zhang's debut in Zhang Yimou's "The Road Home", rumors arose regarding a possible affair between the actress and the older director. Zhang Yimou was previously involved in an extramarital affair with actress Gong Li, whom he similarly debuted and with whom Zhang Ziyi was quickly compared. However, a relationship between the two remains unconfirmed. [ [http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/film/86606.htm Zhang Ziyi: Rising Movie Star ] ]

Hong Kong and Taiwanese media have often pushed at ties between Zhang and co-star Jackie Chan. [ [http://www.helloziyi.us/Articles/Ziyi_Chinas_Best.htm Zhang Ziyi at HelloZiyi.us - Ziyi is China's Best Export ] ] This was fueled in part by photos that emerged of the pair during celebrations of Chan's birthday on the set of "Rush Hour 2".

Zhang for a while was publicly linked with Fok Kai-shan, grandson of Hong Kong business tycoon Henry Fok.

Although Zhang does not like to talk in public about her private life, in 2006, she stated in an interview that she had found love - but did not offer a name. [ [http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/10/03/zhang_ziyi_is_in_love_would_love_to_get_ Zhang Ziyi Is In Love, Would Love To Get Married - Starpulse Entertainment News Blog ] ] When quizzed by Phoenix TV in early 2007 if she was happy, she stated in the interview: "Yes, very much so ... I'm doing the things I enjoy." [ [http://itv.phoenixtv.com/play.aspx?id=e57b15b8-1bf3-47b9-84ee-f03e79070259 凤凰宽频_凤凰网 ] ]

In the July 2006 issue of Interview Magazine, Ziyi, who considers herself to be a "very classic Chinese", spoke of her movies' contents and being careful about the roles she take on, especially in Hollywood.

cquote| Yes. Otherwise I could have done a lot of Hollywood movies. After Crouching Tiger I got a lot of offers, but I turned them down because they were all victim roles--poor girls sold to America to be a wife or whatever. I know I have the ability to go deeper, to take on more original roles than that. That's why I really appreciated Geisha, because it allowed us to show the world what kind of actors we are and what kind of characters we can play--not just action, kick-ass parts. [http://www.helloziyi.us/Articles/interview-magazine-july2006.htm]

She stated in an early interview that if she had not become an actress, she would have liked to have been a kindergarten teacher, as she "...love [s] children!"

In January 2007, Zhang was spotted holding hands and kissing her new partner at a New York basketball game. The man was identified as Israeli multi-millionaire and venture capitalist, Vivi Nevo. The two were again seen together at an Oscar party in Los Angeles. Nevo, who has previously been tied to model Kate Moss, is a major shareholder in Time Warner and an early backer of The Weinstein Company with whom Zhang is purported to have a multi-film deal. Zhang Ziyi and Nevo are currently engaged, and are planning on getting married in March, 2009, according to Nevo. [ [http://men.style.com/details/features/full?id=content_4990&pageNum=8 The Power 50: DETAILS Article on men.style.com ] ] [ [http://www.cinematical.com/2006/06/05/zhang-ziyi-indentured-to-weinsteins/ Zhang Ziyi Indentured to Weinsteins? - Cinematical ] ]

Other information

*Of the characters making up her name, Zhāng (章) is her surname (not to be confused with the more common Zhāng 张 which is a homonym but written with a different character), Zǐ (子) means child or esteemed person, and Yí (怡) means joy or happiness. She has appeared in English language films under the name Ziyi Zhang. In an interview, she stated that the name change was her publicist's idea of a way to appeal to Western audiences.
*Zhang says that one of her methods of learning the English language was listening to Eminem, which apparently led to some embarrassing situations. She said "I don't always know what he is talking about, so I write down the lyrics and repeat them. Later, I understood how rude they were." [ [http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/ziyi%20eminem%20was%20my%20english%20teacher Ziyi Zhang - Ziyi: 'Eminem Was My English Teacher' ] ]

Filmography

Awards and nominations

Awards nominated

Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
*2001 - Best Supporting Actress for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"
*2005 - Best Actress for "House of Flying Daggers"BAFTA Awards
*2001 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"
*2005 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for "House of Flying Daggers"
*2006 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for "Memoirs of a Geisha"Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
*2001 - Best Supporting Actress for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"Golden Globes
*2006 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for "Memoirs of a Geisha"Golden Horse Film Festival
*2000 - Best Actress for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"
*2004 - Best Actress for "2046"Hong Kong Film Awards
*2001 - Best Actress for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"
*2003 - Best Supporting Actress for "Hero"Image Awards
*2006 - Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for "Memoirs of a Geisha"Kids' Choice Awards
*2002 - Favorite Female Action Hero for "Rush Hour 2"MTV Movie Awards
*2001 - Breakthrough Female Performance for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"
*2002 - Best Villain for "Rush Hour 2"
*2005 - Best Fight for "House of Flying Daggers" *(For Zhang Ziyi vs. The Emperor's guards)
*2006 - Sexiest Performance for "Memoirs of a Geisha"Online Film Critics Society Awards
*2001 - Best Supporting Actress for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"Satellite Awards
*2005 - Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama for "Memoirs of a Geisha"Screen Actors Guild Awards
*2006 - Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for "Memoirs of a Geisha"Teen Choice Awards
*2001 - Film - Choice Breakout Performance

Awards won

Hundred Flowers Awards
*2000 - Best Actress for "The Road Home"

Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
*2001 - Most Promising Actress

Golden Bauhinia Awards
*2001 - Best Supporting Actress for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"

Golden Rooster Awards
*2004 - Best Actress for "Mo li hua kai"

Hong Kong Film Awards
*2005 - Best Actress for "2046"

Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards
*2005 - Best Actress for "2046"

Independent Spirit Awards
*2001 - Best Supporting Female for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"

MTV Movie Awards
*2001 - Best Fight for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" *(Versus entire bar)

Toronto Film Critics Association Awards
*2000 - Best Supporting Performance, Female for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"

Young Artist Awards
*2001 - Best Young Actress in an International Film for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"

Magazine recognition

* Ranked 2nd of the 100 Sexiest Women by "FHM" Taiwan (2001).
* Named one of the 25 Hottest Stars Under 25 by "Teen People" Magazine (2001).
* Named one of the 25 Hottest Stars Under 25 by "Teen People" Magazine (2002).
* Ranked #91 in "Stuff" magazine's "102 Sexiest Women In The World" (2002)
* Voted in at #100 in "FHM"'s Sexiest 100 Girls of 2002, UK edition. [June 2002]
* "Forbes" magazine's China edition recently ranked her the second most popular celebrity after NBA player 'Yao Ming' . [August 2004]
* Named by "Entertainment Weekly" in their 'The Must List' 2005. Listed 38th out of the 122 people and things the magazine "loves" this year, Ziyi was the only Chinese to be included.
* Selected by "Southern People Weekly" magazine as 'Chinese Top Ten Leaders Of The Younger Generation' in 2005.
* Listed in "People"'s '50 Most Beautiful People' List in 2005.
* Listed in "TIME"'s World's 100 Most Influential People. They called her "China's Gift to Hollywood".
* Ranked one of the '100 Most Beautiful Women in the World' in the July 2005 issue of "Harpers & Queen" magazine. It was her first time on the list. She was ranked number 15.
* Included in "People"'s 100 Most Beautiful People in the World the second year in a row in 2006. This is now her third appearance on the list.
* Voted in at #86 in "FHM"'s sexiest women in the world in 2006. She had not appeared in the list since 2002.
* Topped Japanese "Playboy"'s "100 Sexiest Women in Asia" list and was featured on the cover. (April 2006) [ [http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2006-03/10/content_531239.htm Ziyi poses for Playboy ] ]
* Voted #1 in "E!"'s Sexiest Action Stars list in summer 2007.

ee also

*Cinema of China

References

External links

*
* [http://www.snapchina.com/main.php/v/staractors/ziyizhang ZiYi Zhang's album]

Persondata
NAME=Zhang, Ziyi
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Chinese actress
DATE OF BIRTH=February 9, 1979
PLACE OF BIRTH=Beijing, China
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=