Zhang Ziyi Profile
Name: Zhang Ziyi (Ziyi Zhang, Zhang Zi Yi)
Chinese name: 章子怡
Birthdate: February 9, 1979
Birth place: Beijing, China
Height: 164 cm
Blood type: O
Religion: Buddism
Family: Parents and an elder brother
Profession: Actress
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Zhang Ziyi Biography
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 noticable. 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.
Zhang Ziyi’s latest movie is “The Banquet” which was released in Autumn 2006.
As one of the most recognizable Chinese around the globe, Ziyi’s pretty face has been appearing here and there, everywhere.. and we will be seeing her for at least another few more years as one of worldwide most influential actress.
Why I like Zhang Ziyi
There are always bunch of bad comments surrounding Zhang Ziyi, some of her fellow countrymen from China always critisize her for various reasons.
I can’t say I’m a big fan of Ziyi, but I admire her for handling all the pressures and working hard on her acting career. Despite often critisized by local media, she remained polite and calm most all the time.
Nonetheless, Ziyi does have a charming appearance that is one of the most popular and lovable face around the globe.. and her contribution for Chinese/Asian movie industry is massive and deserve our respect.
Zhang Ziyi Pictures, Photos and Videos
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November 15th, 2005 at 8:49 pm
[...] Zhang Ziyi made it to the cover of latestTime Magazine Asia Edition, together with an insight of the latest Rob Marshall directed “Memoirs of a Geisha”. [...]
November 24th, 2005 at 11:57 am
[...] Zhang Ziyi made herself proud with her commanding of English during the promotion tour for ‘Memoirs of Geisha’. [...]
December 14th, 2005 at 12:14 am
[...] China actress Zhang Ziyi was nominated for best performance by an actress in a motion picture (drama) for her role in the ‘Memoirs of Geisha’. [...]
December 23rd, 2005 at 12:38 am
[...] Zhang Ziyi looks great with the advertisement. [...]
December 27th, 2005 at 12:02 pm
[...] 10. Jennifer Lopez 9. Cameron Diaz 8. Juliette Binoche 7. Salma Hayek 6. Zhang Ziyi 5. Penelope Cruz 4. Naomi Watts 3. Scarlett Johansson 2. Halle Berry 1. Angelina Jolie [...]
January 17th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
[...] ‘Memoirs Of A Geisha’ only won an award, with Zhang Ziyi losing to the deserving winner Felicity Huffman. [...]
February 3rd, 2006 at 3:57 am
[...] Memoirs of Geisha banned in China, not for any explicit contents but very much due to political reasons. The Chinese authorities felt that the film could create controversy as 2 of the main Japanese character are potray by China actress Zhang Ziyi and Gong Li. [...]
February 21st, 2006 at 2:52 pm
[...] Memoirs of a Geisha suprisingly took 3 awards, all in artistic categories. Zhang Ziyi was on stage to receive one of the award as representative. [...]
March 10th, 2006 at 4:19 am
[...] China cum Hollywood actress Zhang Ziyi is rated the sexiest Asian women by Japan Playboy magazine. [...]
March 11th, 2006 at 2:31 pm
[...] 2nd on the list is actress Zhou Xun who starred in movie musical “Perhaps Love”. Zhou Xun suprisingly edged Hollywood star and “Memoirs of Geisha” actress Zhang Ziyi who is on 3rd. [...]
March 22nd, 2006 at 12:19 pm
[...] China actress Zhang Ziyi is rumored to be playing “Mulan” in the movie remake of the Chinese folklore, directed by Hong Kong director Stanley Tong. [...]
March 31st, 2006 at 7:37 pm
she has, she like aroma,she has childlike tenderness, truth glowing on her face, makes her more beautiful.
i have great desire if she once write me
April 2nd, 2006 at 3:46 am
[...] Out of nowhere, Zhang JingChu emerged from a local Chinese actress to an international bright star. People are already comparing her potential with popular actress Zhang Ziyi. Zhang JingChu even has the advantage of fluent English speaking, something which Zhang Ziyi is still learning. [...]
April 3rd, 2006 at 12:35 pm
[...] Armani staged their Prive Spring-Summer 06′ Show in Shanghai last weekend, with attendance of glamorous star like Hollywood actress Zhang Ziyi, Taiwan heartthrob Jerry Yan, supermodel Qiqi, British royal Helen Taylor and other celebrities, rich and famous. [...]
April 11th, 2006 at 5:43 pm
[...] Guest from China.. (above: from left to right) Hollywood star Zhang Ziyi; actress Zhang JingChu; and actress Fan BingBing. [...]
April 24th, 2006 at 10:04 pm
i think zhang ziyi is soooo hot especially when she is kicking a$$ in her movies..that makes her even hotter….i love zhang!!!im learning kung-fu too..so i could defend myself like ziyi..haha!!:D
April 25th, 2006 at 5:03 am
Zhang Zi Yi is very ugly if i say so myself, comparing to Liu Yi Fei.
April 25th, 2006 at 10:12 am
I love Zhang Ziyi! She is an extremely versatile actress, and she’s gorgeous! I cannot believe that “HOT!!!” thinks that she’s ugly. And why would you compare her the Liu Yi Fei anyway? They have different types of beauty. Plus, when we speak of acting – which is after all, what their careers are, as actresses – then, Zhang Ziyi is way beyond Liu Yi Fei. Liu Yi Fei is very pretty, but I must say that there are so many people out there who are just as, if not more beautiful, and who are great actresses! Now, Zhang Ziyi is extraordinarily talented. And she was very young when she starred in CTHD as well…I think she was 19? Anyway, this is too lengthy now. I’ll stop now. Lol.
April 25th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
Zhang Ziyi is hot and pretty.. haha can’t believe got people actually think that she’s ‘ugly’ in anyway.
Yupe comparing Ziyi and YiFei is difficult, there are just so different.
Zhang Ziyi does have an extra edge in acting.. experience working with great directors like Zhang Yi-Mou and Lee Ang proves worthy.
yAnGeL.. good luck to your kungfu learning :)
April 27th, 2006 at 8:44 pm
[...] A little cheer for Asian entertainment lovers, actor Stephen Chow and actress Zhang Ziyi are also nominated for best fighting and sexiest performance respectively. [...]