Zhao Wei is a Chinese film actress and pop singer. Audiences sometimes refer to her by her English name, Vicki Zhao. She is considered one of the "Four Young Dan actresses" in China (四小花旦), along with Xu Jinglei, Zhang Ziyi and Zhou Xun.After being chosen to work as an extra on a filming set, Zhao developed a passion for acting. While studying at Beijing Film Academy, Zhao participated in various film projects. 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. After her breakthrough, Zhao has been involved in numerous controversies about her personal and professional lives, including posing in a dress resembling a Japanese war flag.
Throughout her career, Zhao has engaged herself in more varied roles, such as Lu Yiping in Romance in the Rain, a police officer 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 her debut in 1999.
On August 6, 2009, Zhao Wei was elected the vice-president of Chinese Film Performance Art Academy.
Early life:Born and raised in Wuhu, Anhui Province, China, Zhao was the second child of Zhao Jiahai (赵家海) and Wei Qiying (魏启颖). Her father, Zhao Jiahai, was an appliance designer. Zhao has 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, once commenting "I thought actresses had to be beautiful, and I thought I was ordinary". In 1993, however, a filming crew arrived in Wuhu looking for extras for the film Hua Hun, starring Gong Li. Afterward, 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 renowned 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.
Zhao in the media
Rumours and controversy:
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. The public saw it as a sign of disrespecting government policy, as well as the sensibilities of the Chinese. The Chinese public, sensitive over the war with Japan, responded furiously. Zhao's relations with mainland audiences became strained. At a concert, she was tackled by Fu Shenghua, a construction worker who said his grandparents had been killed during the war. 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."
In 2004, Zhao was embroiled in further controversy when Zou Xue accused Zhao Wei of beating her when she was in a pregnant state. (Zou was the same woman who published the picture of Zhao wearing the dress with a Japanese flag). Zhao and Zou had worked as business partners to open the bar Z1 in Beijing. 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 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.
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, protested that Zou purposely published the picture of Zhao Wei in the "Military Flag" dress as an attack against her.
In the past few years, a few of Zhao's movies, such as Green Tea, Jade Goddess of Mercy, and A Time to Love failed to receive high box office earnings. Because of this, the media characterized 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:
“"I don't mind people saying I'm not good. I know my own weakness and limits, but I've always tried my best in what I do. To label me as the 'bane of the box office' just because the earnings of a couple of movies are not ideal is not fair. Besides, a movie's success does not depend on a single person. Hence, such talk is very biased and subjective. Anyway, this is not the first time, so I feel there's no need to respond to such baseless remarks."
After winning the Best Actress Award at the 2005 Shanghai International Film Festival, Zhao became the subject of controversy. Several reporters felt she did not deserve the award. 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."
Commercial work:
After rising to prominence, Zhao became actively involved in commercial work. In 2001, she was selected as one of China's Top Ten Most Popular Commercial Models. Her nomination was a result of her commercial work for Red Earth and Amoisonic Mobile Phone. The same year, Zhao was ranked second on "China's Top 10 Artiste for Advertisement" list. On several occasions, Zhao has also been praised by the media for her sense of style. At the Lycra Channel Young Award (known as the China Fashion Awards since 2004), Zhao was chosen as the "Stylish Actress" in Mainland China. The same year, MTV China also selected Zhao as the "Most Stylish Asian Actress." Zhao also garnered another fashion award at the 2004 Pierre Cardin Awards. Zhao was awarded the "Stylish Female Artist" and "Stylish Actor" at the China Fashion Award (CFA) in 2005. In 2007,Zhao won her the third "Stylish Actor" in China Fashion Awards.
Personal life
Relationships:
Throughout her career, the media have engaged in considerable speculation 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. 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 gained 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."
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 endure such emptiness. So, my would-be husband must understand me on this issue."
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 2005 she was appointed as a spokesperson and ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund and China Youth Concern Committee's "Awareness for Children Affected by AIDS" campaign; she also created the song "来得及的明天" (Pinyin: lai de ji de mingtian, English: Still Time for Tomorrow) as the theme song for the campaign. 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. Recently, Zhao attended a charity banquet in December 2006. The banquet, held in Beijing, raised money for the Yanran Angel Foundation, an organization established by Zhao's friend Faye Wong.
Rumours and controversy:
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. The public saw it as a sign of disrespecting government policy, as well as the sensibilities of the Chinese. The Chinese public, sensitive over the war with Japan, responded furiously. Zhao's relations with mainland audiences became strained. At a concert, she was tackled by Fu Shenghua, a construction worker who said his grandparents had been killed during the war. 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."
In 2004, Zhao was embroiled in further controversy when Zou Xue accused Zhao Wei of beating her when she was in a pregnant state. (Zou was the same woman who published the picture of Zhao wearing the dress with a Japanese flag). Zhao and Zou had worked as business partners to open the bar Z1 in Beijing. 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 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.
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, protested that Zou purposely published the picture of Zhao Wei in the "Military Flag" dress as an attack against her.In the past few years, a few of Zhao's movies, such as Green Tea, Jade Goddess of Mercy, and A Time to Love failed to receive high box office earnings. Because of this, the media characterized 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:
“"I don't mind people saying I'm not good. I know my own weakness and limits, but I've always tried my best in what I do. To label me as the 'bane of the box office' just because the earnings of a couple of movies are not ideal is not fair. Besides, a movie's success does not depend on a single person. Hence, such talk is very biased and subjective. Anyway, this is not the first time, so I feel there's no need to respond to such baseless remarks."
After winning the Best Actress Award at the 2005 Shanghai International Film Festival, Zhao became the subject of controversy. Several reporters felt she did not deserve the award. 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."
Commercial work:After rising to prominence, Zhao became actively involved in commercial work. In 2001, she was selected as one of China's Top Ten Most Popular Commercial Models. Her nomination was a result of her commercial work for Red Earth and Amoisonic Mobile Phone. The same year, Zhao was ranked second on "China's Top 10 Artiste for Advertisement" list. On several occasions, Zhao has also been praised by the media for her sense of style. At the Lycra Channel Young Award (known as the China Fashion Awards since 2004), Zhao was chosen as the "Stylish Actress" in Mainland China. The same year, MTV China also selected Zhao as the "Most Stylish Asian Actress." Zhao also garnered another fashion award at the 2004 Pierre Cardin Awards. Zhao was awarded the "Stylish Female Artist" and "Stylish Actor" at the China Fashion Award (CFA) in 2005. In 2007,Zhao won her the third "Stylish Actor" in China Fashion Awards.
Personal life
Relationships:
Throughout her career, the media have engaged in considerable speculation 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. 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 gained 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."
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 endure such emptiness. So, my would-be husband must understand me on this issue."
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 2005 she was appointed as a spokesperson and ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund and China Youth Concern Committee's "Awareness for Children Affected by AIDS" campaign; she also created the song "来得及的明天" (Pinyin: lai de ji de mingtian, English: Still Time for Tomorrow) as the theme song for the campaign. 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. Recently, Zhao attended a charity banquet in December 2006. The banquet, held in Beijing, raised money for the Yanran Angel Foundation, an organization established by Zhao's friend Faye Wong.
