Zhang Yuqi (Chinese: ; born August 8, 1987), also known as Kitty Zhang, is a Chinese actress best known for her roles as Mrs. Yuen in the 2008 film CJ7 — which garnered her media attention and launched her acting career — and Ruo Lan in the 2016 film The Mermaid.
Early life and professional career
Zhang was born in the Shandong province of Dezhou. At the age of 15, she left Shandong to attend acting school in Shanghai.
Zhang played an uncredited minor role in the 2007 film The Longest Night in Shanghai. Stephen Chow first noticed her in a Kentucky Fried Chicken advertisement and hired her for his agency. Zhang was subjected to rigorous training in acting, dancing, and singing. She made her film debut as a young teacher in the science fiction film CJ7. Because of Chow's tradition of casting stars alongside new actresses who later go on to play major roles, Zhang has been dubbed one of the "" (xng n láng, "star girls" or "Sing girls"—Sing Yeh is a common nickname of Chow's).
Zhang next appeared in the Japanese film Shaolin Girl after CJ7. (which was also produced by Chow). Chow considered casting her in Dragonball Evolution, but the role went to another actress in the end.
Zhang then starred as a headstrong businesswoman in the romantic comedy All About Women. Jump, a musical comedy directed by Stephen Fung and written by Stephen Chow, starred her as a country girl with a passion for hip-hop music in 2009.
Zhang then moved on to the horror genre with the Curse of the Deserted, in which she played a college student investigating a haunted house. She then played a dance hostess in the kungfu comedy The Butcher, the Chef, and the Swordsman.
Zhang was cast in the role of Qian Xuesen's wife, Jiang Ying, in the author's biopic in 2012. She then starred in the film adaptation of Chen Zhongshi's Chinese literary classic White Deer Plain. Tian Xiao'e, a sensual, illiterate woman who follows her instincts, is played by her. The role was difficult for Zhang because it required intimate scenes. Many other actresses turned down the role. At the Chinese American Film Festival, Zhang received her first "Best Actress" award. For her performance, she was also named the Most Popular Actress at the Beijing College Student Film Festival.
Zhang received critical acclaim for her performance as a mother who has lost a child in Peter Chan's film Dearest in 2014.
Zhang co-starred with Brandon Routh in Lost in the Pacific, a sci-fi action adventure film directed by Vincent Zhou, in 2015.
Zhang reteamed with mentor Stephen Chow in his 2016 film The Mermaid, playing the antagonist. According to Variety, Zhang "let herself go.. with her bitchiness and predatory sex appeal." The Mermaid became the highest-grossing film of all time, reviving Zhang's dwindling film career.
Zhang appeared in Wong Jing's fantasy comedy film The Golden Monk in 2017. She appeared in Chen Kaige's fantasy mystery film Legend of the Demon Cat the same year. Zhang received the Asian Film Awards' Best Supporting Actress award for her performance.
Personal life
Zhang Yuqi and Wang Quan'an married on April 18, 2011, after a whirlwind romance. However, Zhang announced their divorce on July 2, 2015.
In October 2016, Zhang married businessman Yuan Bayuan.
On September 27, 2018, Zhang and Yuan Bayuan issued a joint statement announcing their divorce.
| Year | English title | Chinese title | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Longest Night in Shanghai | 夜·上海 | |
| 2008 | CJ7 | 长江七号 | Mrs. Yuen |
| Shaolin Girl | 少林少女 | Minmin Ryû | |
| All About Women | 女人不坏 | Tang Lu | |
| 2009 | Jump | 跳出去 | Phoenix |
| 2010 | Here Comes Fortune | 财神到 | Wu Shanshan |
| Curse of the Deserted | 荒村公寓 | Ouyang Xiaozhi | |
| 2011 | The Butcher, the Chef and the Swordsman | 刀剑笑 | Madam Mei |
| 2012 | Qian Xuesen | 钱学森 | Jiang Ying |
| General's Command | 将令 | ||
| White Deer Plain | 白鹿原 | Tian Xiao'e | |
| 2014 | Dearest | 亲爱的 | Fan Yun |
| 2015 | The Honey Enemy | 情敌蜜月 | Xia Xiaoyu |
| 2016 | Lost in the Pacific | 蒸发太平洋 | Ruo Xin |
| The Mermaid | 美人鱼 | Ruo Lan | |
| 2017 | Come Across Love | 不期而遇 | Li Xin |
| The Golden Monk | 降魔大聖 | Jing Jing | |
| Legend of the Demon Cat | 妖猫传 | Chun Qin | |
| 2019 | The Sexy Guys | 最佳男友进化论 | Wen Jing |
| Year | English title | Chinese title | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Ice Fantasy Destiny | 幻城凡世 | Li Luo |
| 2019 | Behind The Scenes | 幕后之王 | Xin Huimei |
| 2020 | Candle in the Tomb: The Lost Caverns | 鬼吹灯之龙岭迷路窟 | Shirley Yang |
| 2021 | Cracking Case | 拆·案 | Gong Shuchun |
| 2022 | Mom Wow | 加油妈妈 | Zhou Nannan |
| Candle in the Tomb: Kunlun Tomb | 鬼吹灯之昆仑神宫 | Shirley Yang |
| Year | English title | Chinese title | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Sisters Who Make Waves | 乘风破浪的姐姐 | Cast member |
| Lady Land | 姐姐的爱乐之程 | Cast member |
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 8th Chinese American Film Festival | Best Actress | White Deer Plain |
| 2013 | 20th Beijing College Student Film Festival | Favorite Actress Award | |
| 14th Golden Phoenix Awards | Society Award | White Deer Plain, Qian Xuesen | |
| 2017 | 29th Hong Kong Society of Cinematographers Awards | Most Charismatic Actress | The Mermaid |
| 2018 | 12th Asian Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Legend of the Demon Cat |
| Body Measurements | 32-24-34 inches |
| Bodytype | Hourglass |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 m) |
| Weight | 48 kg (105 lbs) |
| Waist | 24 inches |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Shoe Size | 7.5 (US) |
| Nickname | Kitty |
| Gender | Female |
| Age | 35 years old (in 2023) |
| Date of Birth | August 8, 1987 |
| Full Name | Zhang Yuqi |
| Profession | Actress |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Birthplace | Dezhou, China |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
Qualification: Shanghai Theatre Academy China Affiliated Xiqu School
Profession: Actress
Known For: The Mermaid 2016
Net Worth: $2 Million Approx
Marital Status: Single
Past Relationships:
Yuan Bayuan (m. 2016–2018)
Wang Quan’an (m. 2011–2015)
Hobbies: Photoshoot, Painting
Favorite Destination: Switzerland
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Color: Pink
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