Zhang Ziyi

Successfully made her way to penetrate Hollywood film industry, Zhang Ziyi definitely has the real talent and charisma to become one of the most promising Chinese actresses people ever know of. Throughout her career, she has consistently shown brilliant enactments in the films she starred and managed to add some depth to the characters she portrayed. With her powerful acting, martial arts grace, and stunning beauty, it is very possible for her to establish herself as a substantial performer who is respected by both critics and audiences all over the world.

Raised in a middle class family of a government economist and a kindergarten teacher together with her older brother, Zhang Zinan, Ziyi was born on February 9, 1979 in Beijing, People's Republic of China. Since she was considered as a frail child, her parents therefore encouraged her to take dancing and gymnastic lessons. "My parents sent me to study dance so I could build my muscles," she recalled. "I was very small and very weak for my age. They were worried about my health." Enrolled in a secondary school affiliated with Beijing Dancing College, she continued to polish her dancing skills during her four-years study there, even amazingly grabbed the Chinese Folk Dance Taoli Cup at the 4th Annual National Young Dancer Competition held in 1994.