Fei Xiang

Fei Xiang is a Taiwanese-American singer and actor whose career has spanned more than four decades. Born Kris Phillips in Taipei, he became a household name in China during the 1980s as a Mandopop heartthrob, blending energetic pop with romantic ballads that defined a generation's soundtrack. Today he is equally recognized for his work in English-language musical theater and for his striking return to the big screen as the villainous King Zhou in the blockbuster trilogy Creation of the Gods.

His ability to reinvent himself across genres and languages is rare. From sold-out concerts in the 80s to commanding performances in ancient Chinese epics, Fei Xiang has remained a figure of fascination for fans across Asia and beyond. His recent film work has introduced him to a new generation, proving that his presence on stage and screen is as powerful as ever. [edit]

Born on December 24, 1960, in Taipei, Kris Phillips grew up in a bilingual household. His father was an American businessman and his mother a Chinese homemaker, giving him an early immersion in both cultures. He attended the Taipei American School, where he first discovered his love for performing, participating in school plays and singing in talent shows.

After graduating high school, Phillips moved to the United States to attend college, studying theater and music. During this period, he performed in local productions and honed his craft, but it was a trip back to Taiwan in the early 1980s that changed everything. A chance audition for a television special led to his first taste of fame, and he soon adopted the stage name Fei Xiang, meaning 'flying.' His first album, released in 1982, was a modest success, but it was his dynamic live performances that caught the attention of record producers across the strait. [edit]

Fei Xiang's breakthrough came in 1986 when he appeared on the Chinese Central Television Spring Festival Gala. His performance of 'Fire in the Winter' and 'A Girl's Prayer' made him an overnight sensation across mainland China. Over the next few years, he released a string of hit albums, including Fei Xiang's Songs and Burning Fire, and became known for his electrifying stage presence and his ability to sing in both Mandarin and English.

By the early 1990s, he had shifted his focus to musical theater, starring in productions like Miss Saigon and Song of Singapore on Broadway and in London's West End. He continued to release music intermittently, but it was his return to film in the 2020s that brought him back into the global spotlight. In 2023, he starred as King Zhou in Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms, a role that required intense physical training and a commanding screen presence. The film was a massive hit in China, and he reprised the role in the sequel, Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force, released in 2025. [edit]

Fei Xiang's public image has evolved dramatically over the decades. In the 1980s, he was the quintessential teen idol, with his chiseled features and charismatic smile plastered on posters across China. His style was a mix of Western glamour and Eastern charm, and he was often compared to a Chinese Elvis Presley.

Today, he is seen as a veteran artist who has aged gracefully, embracing his silver hair and mature roles. His portrayal of the tyrannical King Zhou surprised many, but he brought a nuanced menace to the role that earned critical praise. He maintains a relatively low-key presence on social media, preferring to let his work speak for itself. [edit]

Fei Xiang commands a fanbase defined not by organized clubs or ritualized campaigns, but by a deep, cross-generational reverence that spans decades. His audience consists of those who witnessed his 1987 debut as the quintessential teen idol and those discovering him anew through his commanding villainy in recent cinema, creating a collective nostalgia rather than a structured movement with an official name. This unique dynamic reflects a cultural phenomenon where the artist is revered as an evergreen icon whose return from a forty-year absence sparked widespread media excitement without the need for formal chart operations or fan-funded advertisements typical of modern idol industries. Despite this enduring popularity, Fei Xiang holds no placement in the current published rankings. The iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated his standing, yet he does not currently hold a position within the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. While his cultural footprint in China remains massive, the specific metrics required for a global ordinal ranking have not placed him among the top thousand most famous individuals worldwide at this time. This absence from the ranked lists does not diminish the scale of his influence, which is measured in sustained public fascination and critical acclaim across four decades of reinvention. The lack of a formal fandom title further distinguishes his legacy, as his supporters operate as a dispersed community united by shared history rather than a branded organization.[edit]

Fei Xiang's English name, Kris Phillips, serves as his primary identifier for Western theater productions and international media coverage. He maintains a reputation as a serious student of Chinese classical literature, utilizing these texts to inform his dramatic performances. A trained dancer with a background in ballet and jazz, he brought physical discipline to his early pop career. In 1989, he performed at the Asian Games in Beijing, marking one of the first major international sporting events in China following significant political shifts. His contributions to the arts are recognized with a star on the Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong, and he demonstrates fluency in Mandarin, English, and Cantonese. While often associated with his role as King Zhou, he cites the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera from a 1995 Asian tour as his favorite character. A legendary moment occurred during the 1987 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, where his rendition of Winter Fire and A Cloud of Hometown triggered a national sensation that established him as a household name. The New Yorker later immortalized this era by dubbing him the most handsome Chinese man they had ever seen. Another iconic chapter began in 2023 with his re-emergence in Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms, where critics noted his distinctive Business Yinglish and transformative portrayal of the tyrant Yin Shou.[edit]

Fei Xiang was born to an American father, who worked in international trade, and a Chinese mother, who was a homemaker. He has a younger sister, who lives in California. He has spoken publicly about his close relationship with his mother, who encouraged his musical interests from a young age. He is not married and has no children. [edit]

Fei Xiang is often associated with his English name, Kris Phillips, which he uses in Western productions. He has collaborated with renowned director Wuershan on the Creation of the Gods trilogy. Fans also connect him with other 1980s Mandopop stars like Teresa Teng and Liu Wenzheng, who defined the era's sound. [edit]

Fei Xiang has kept his personal life remarkably private. Throughout his career, he has never publicly confirmed any long-term relationships. In the 1980s, rumors linked him to several co-stars, but he never addressed them. In a rare interview in 2023, he stated that he had chosen to focus on his career and had never married.

As of 2026, Fei Xiang remains single and reportedly lives alone in Los Angeles. [edit]

As of 2026, iFANN currently estimates Fei Xiang's net worth at $10 million. His wealth stems from a long career in music and acting, including royalties from his 1980s albums, earnings from Broadway and West End productions, and his recent film roles. The Creation of the Gods films were major box office successes, and his salary for the trilogy is reported to be substantial. He also earns from endorsements and appearances, particularly in China, where he remains a nostalgic figure. He owns properties in Taipei and Los Angeles. His financial standing has grown steadily over the past decade, buoyed by the success of the films and his continued relevance.[edit]

Fei Xiang has won several awards for his music and acting. In 1987, he won the Golden Melody Award for Best Male Vocalist in Taiwan. For his role in Creation of the Gods, he received the Best Supporting Actor award at the Chinese Film Media Awards in 2024. He has also been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Global Chinese Music Awards. [edit]