Zhao Wei

Zhao Wei, known internationally as Vicky Zhao, is a Chinese actress, singer, director, and businesswoman. Born in Wuhu, Anhui, she became one of China's most recognized entertainers, celebrated for her role as Princess Huanzhu in the 1998 series My Fair Princess. That part turned her into a household name across Asia and launched a career spanning film, television, music, and directing. Her filmography includes over 40 movies and 20 TV shows, with notable works like Shaolin Soccer, Mulan, and Dearest, the latter earning her a Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress.

Beyond performing, Zhao directed the hit film So Young in 2013 and released seven albums as a singer. She also made business headlines by becoming the second-largest shareholder of Alibaba Pictures. However, in August 2021, she was blacklisted by the Chinese government, leading to the removal of her work from streaming platforms and her name disappearing from the internet. The reasons remain unclear, but the ban effectively ended her mainstream career in China. Despite this, she maintains an international fanbase and lives comfortably, with her legacy as a pioneering figure in Chinese entertainment still intact. [edit]

Growing up in Wuhu, a city along the Yangtze River, Zhao Wei was the second child and only daughter in her family. Her father named her Wei, meaning rose, because she was the lone girl. She started arts training early, studying dance for three years and piano for six, which gave her a strong foundation in performance. Those years of discipline shaped her later versatility on screen.

She enrolled at the Beijing Film Academy, one of China's top acting schools, where she honed her craft. Before her big break, she appeared in a few minor projects, but nothing hinted at the massive fame to come. Her breakthrough came in 1998 when she was cast as the mischievous Princess Huanzhu in the television series My Fair Princess. The show became a cultural phenomenon, and Zhao's portrayal of the playful princess made her a star overnight across Asia. [edit]

After My Fair Princess made her famous, Zhao Wei kept her momentum with a string of hit films. In 2001, she starred in Romance in the Rain and Stephen Chow's comedy Shaolin Soccer, the latter introducing her to international audiences. She followed with period dramas like Moment in Peking (2005) and fantasy thrillers like Painted Skin (2008). Her role in the historical epic Mulan (2009) further solidified her range.

In 2013, she stepped behind the camera for her directorial debut, So Young, a coming-of-age story that became a box office hit and won critical praise. The next year, her performance in the family drama Dearest earned her the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress. She also released seven albums as a singer and ranked 7th on the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list in 2015. Around that time, she became the second-largest shareholder of Alibaba Pictures, showing her business savvy. However, her career took a sharp turn in August 2021 when she was blacklisted by the Chinese government. Her work was pulled from streaming platforms, and her name vanished from the internet. The ban left her in professional limbo in China, though she has maintained some international presence since. [edit]

Zhao Wei is seen as one of China's most versatile entertainers, moving seamlessly between acting, singing, directing, and business. Her public image shifted dramatically after 2021, from a celebrated national star to a blacklisted figure whose name disappeared from Chinese internet platforms. Internationally, she retains a loyal fanbase that maintains social media accounts on her behalf, like the @zhaoweiofficial Instagram page. Her style ranges from period dramas to modern romances, and fans appreciate her range and depth. Media have often highlighted her as a trailblazer, though the ban has complicated her legacy. [edit]

Zhao Wei commands a global attention profile that spans decades of cultural impact, from the immediate sensation of late-1990s television to her enduring status as a business and creative force. According to the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, she currently holds the position of the 39th most famous person in China, holding steady from the previous cycle. Her origin-based prominence is equally significant, placing her at the 58th most famous person from China, holding steady from the previous cycle. Within the specific sphere of music, she ranks as the 16th most famous person in C-Pop / Mandopop, holding steady from the previous cycle. While her public presence in mainland media has been suppressed since 2021, her international footprint remains measurable through these precise metrics which track global attention across media coverage, search, and consumption signals worldwide. Regarding her audience, no single official fandom name exists for Zhao Wei; she is generally addressed by her nickname "Wei-wei" or grouped with peers as one of China's "Four Dan Actresses." Her supporters are known for high organizational capacity, historically coordinating large-scale birthday campaigns featuring subway advertisements and billboard placements in major cities, though current activities have shifted toward advocacy for her return rather than promotional efforts.[edit]

Zhao Wei's given name, Wei, translates to rose, a designation chosen by her father who was celebrating the birth of his only daughter. Before enrolling in the Beijing Film Academy, she dedicated three years to dance training and six years to piano study. She holds the unique distinction of being the only individual to have won Best Actress, Most Popular Actress, and Best Director awards within her professional field. Her directorial debut, So Young, achieved box office sensation status upon its release in 2013. Formerly serving as a spokesperson for FENDI, she faced a sudden shift in her career trajectory in 2021 when her name was removed from Chinese internet platforms, with official reasons remaining unclear. In response to rumors regarding her location, she issued a denial about fleeing to France via a now-deleted Instagram post. The cultural lore surrounding her includes the widely retold story of her role as Xiao Hongzhu in My Fair Princess, where the sheer volume of adoration reportedly caused crowds to faint and streets to shut down during the show's initial run. Another pivotal chapter in her legend involves her transition to cinema with Red Cliff, where her portrayal of Lady Sun cemented her ability to compete alongside international stars like Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro.[edit]

Zhao Wei was born on March 12, 1976, in Wuhu, Anhui Province, as the second child and only daughter. Her father named her Wei, meaning rose, because she was the only girl. She has kept most family details private. She married businessman Huang Youlong, and the couple had a daughter. The marriage reportedly ended in divorce, with speculation mounting in early 2025 over Huang's financial troubles. Zhao has not publicly shared details about her current household, but she reportedly lives comfortably despite her broadcasting ban. [edit]

Zhao Wei worked with director Stephen Chow in Shaolin Soccer. She was married to businessman Huang Youlong. Thai whistleblower Chuwit Kamolvisit accused her of links to Tu Hao, a figure in the Chinese grey business network, though she has been exonerated from related rumors. She also served as a spokesperson for FENDI. [edit]

Zhao Wei married businessman Huang Youlong, and the couple had a daughter. The marriage was reported to have ended in divorce, with speculation growing in early 2025 over Huang's financial difficulties. Huang reportedly lost nearly 300 million yuan in just six days and faced pressure from high-society figures over unpaid interest. Zhao has not publicly confirmed the divorce, but reports suggest she has distanced herself from him. As of 2026, she is believed to be single, though her current relationship status is not publicly confirmed. [edit]

As of 2026, per iFANN's editorial analysis, Zhao Wei's net worth is estimated at $400 Million. This substantial figure reflects a long-standing career encompassing over 40 films and 20 TV series, alongside revenue generated from seven music albums and directing income derived from So Young. Additional wealth accumulation occurred through endorsement contracts, including her tenure as a FENDI spokesperson. A significant financial boost was realized through her equity stake in Alibaba Pictures, where she became the second-largest shareholder. Reports note that her ex-husband experienced severe financial difficulties, losing nearly 300 million yuan in six days, yet Zhao's personal assets remain considerable. Despite facing a broadcasting ban, available reports indicate she continues to live comfortably supported by her existing business ventures and investments.[edit]

Zhao Wei has won several major awards, including the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress for Dearest in 2014. She also won Best Actress, Most Popular Actress, and Best Director awards for her work, notably for her directorial debut So Young. She is the only person to have achieved all three in her field. [edit]