Once the face of a golden era in Asian pop culture, Zhao Wei was more than just an A-list actress. She was an icon deeply connected to the childhood memories of millions of viewers. From her breakout role as Xiaoyanzi, which took television screens by storm, to her successful music albums and influential position in the entertainment industry, the actress known as “Xiaoyanzi” once enjoyed a level of fame that few stars could ever achieve. However, her seemingly perfect career took an unexpected turn following a series of major setbacks.
Zhao Wei was born on March 12, 1976, in Wuhu, Anhui Province, China. She graduated from the Beijing Film Academy, where she studied alongside actors Chen Kun and Huang Xiaoming. Zhao Wei showed artistic talent from an early age and entered the entertainment industry while still very young. However, it was not until 1998 that she became a household name after playing Xiaoyanzi in the television series My Fair Princess.
Zhao Wei’s appearance in My Fair Princess sparked an unprecedented sensation in Chinese television. Her portrayal of a mischievous, energetic princess with big, expressive eyes, a rebellious personality, and a warm heart quickly won over audiences. The series was not only a huge success in China but was also broadcast widely across Asia, including Vietnam. The role turned Zhao Wei into one of the most sought-after actresses in the industry, while the nickname “Xiaoyanzi” remained closely associated with her throughout much of her career.
The success of My Fair Princess opened the door to numerous opportunities. In 2001, Zhao Wei further cemented her popularity with her portrayal of Lu Yiping in Romance in the Rain. The drama became another major hit, bringing her even closer to Vietnamese audiences and viewers across other Asian markets.
Beyond television, Zhao Wei also appeared in several notable films, including Shaolin Soccer, Painted Skin, and Mulan. For more than a decade, she continued to take on major projects, becoming one of the most influential figures in Chinese cinema.
Zhao Wei was not only successful on screen but also enjoyed a notable singing career. She was even considered one of the most successful actresses to venture into music in Chinese showbiz. Capitalizing on the popularity of My Fair Princess, she released her debut album, Swallow, in 1999 and quickly attracted attention in the music market.
Her follow-up album, Magic of Love, released in 2001, further strengthened her position. Zhao Wei was no longer remembered solely as Xiaoyanzi but had also become a music idol with a large and devoted following. Songs such as Farewell to the One I Wait For, Deep Love, Drizzling Rain, and Really, Really Want to became part of the musical memories of several generations of listeners.
Notably, Zhao Wei did not simply rely on her acting fame to release soundtrack albums. She continued investing in her own musical projects, experimenting with different styles ranging from pop and ballads to more mature arrangements. Albums such as The Last Separation, Piao, and Double reflected her evolving musical direction and showed that she wanted to be recognized for her singing ability rather than simply relying on her popularity as an actress.
During her active years in music, Zhao Wei also appeared at numerous major award ceremonies, receiving awards and nominations both domestically and across the region. Her ability to build an independent discography, release popular songs, and maintain a singing career over many years made her a distinctive figure in the Chinese entertainment industry.
For Vietnamese audiences, one of Zhao Wei’s most memorable moments was her collaboration with Dan Truong on the song Farewell to the One I Wait For. In 2001, as the popularity of Romance in the Rain continued to spread, the actress visited Vietnam to participate in an artistic exchange program between the two countries. There, she shared the stage with Dan Truong, who was at the height of his popularity in Vietnamese pop music.
During their performance of Farewell to the One I Wait For, Zhao Wei sang the Chinese lyrics, while Dan Truong performed the Vietnamese version. The song was originally part of the Romance in the Rain soundtrack, making their collaboration particularly meaningful to fans of the drama.
The event attracted a large audience, demonstrating that Zhao Wei’s popularity in Vietnam at the time was on par with that of the country’s biggest stars. More than 20 years later, Farewell to the One I Wait For remains a special memory for Vietnamese audiences born in the 1980s and 1990s, especially when viewed alongside the difficulties the actress would face in the years that followed.
In addition to her flourishing entertainment career, Zhao Wei was once a prominent figure in investment and business circles. In 2008, she married businessman Huang Youlong, and the couple became involved in various industries, including real estate, wine, film, and securities. However, in late 2016, Longwei Media, a company controlled by the couple, attracted attention after attempting to acquire shares in a listed company through a highly leveraged financial deal.
In 2017, the China Securities Regulatory Commission identified violations involving information disclosure. Both Zhao Wei and Huang Youlong were fined 600,000 yuan each and banned from participating in the securities market for five years. The case triggered numerous disputes with investors and became a major business scandal involving the couple.
Before the financial controversies had even subsided, Zhao Wei faced the biggest crisis of her career in August 2021. At the time, she was still one of the most influential stars in Chinese showbiz, but her name was suddenly removed from multiple online platforms in China. Several works that had made her famous, including My Fair Princess, Romance in the Rain, and Painted Skin, were taken down from certain platforms.
Zhao Wei’s name also disappeared from the cast information of numerous productions, while brands that had previously worked with her quietly deleted or hid their promotional content. The development came as a shock to audiences in China and abroad. Effectively banned from the entertainment industry, the actress almost completely disappeared from mainstream showbiz activities.
Following the incident, Zhao Wei withdrew from the entertainment industry. News about her mainly revolved around business disputes, her private life, and a handful of rare updates on social media. In late 2024, she publicly confirmed that she had finalized her divorce from businessman Huang Youlong after years of marriage. The former couple have a daughter, born in 2010, who is currently studying overseas.
Recently, Zhao Wei made a surprise appearance in Singapore on the evening of October 20, 2026. She attended a show by renowned hairstylist Kim Robinson, marking one of her rare public appearances before the media since the events of 2021. However, what attracted the most attention was the actress’s noticeably different appearance at the age of 50.
Gone was the polished, glamorous image and elaborate makeup she was known for on red carpets. Zhao Wei appeared in an oversized plaid shirt, a light-colored long skirt, natural makeup, and shoulder-length brown hair with blonde highlights. Her face was described as fuller and less firm than before, with dark circles and puffiness around her eyes. Signs of aging were also visible around her mouth and smile lines.
From the Xiaoyanzi who once captivated audiences across Asia to an artist whose career spanned acting, singing, directing, and business, Zhao Wei has now entered a completely different chapter of her life. Her duet with Dan Truong on Farewell to the One I Wait For remains a beautiful memory for Vietnamese audiences of a golden era, while Xiaoyanzi’s future in Chinese showbiz remains an unanswered question.
Sources: kenh14