Zhao Wei

Zhao Wei, also known as Vicki Zhao, is a Chinese actress, singer, and filmmaker who rose to fame in the late 1990s with her breakout role as Xiao Yanzi in the hit TV series "My Fair Princess" ("Huan Zhu Ge Ge"). Born on March 12, 1976, in Wuhu, Anhui province, Zhao studied at the Beijing Film Academy, where she later returned as a faculty member.

After the massive success of "My Fair Princess", Zhao became one of China's most beloved and bankable stars, starring in popular films like "Shaolin Soccer", "Red Cliff", and "Painted Skin". In addition to acting, she launched a successful music career and transitioned into directing, earning acclaim for her 2013 directorial debut "So Young", which was a box-office hit and marked her as a formidable filmmaker.

Zhao has also been a prominent businesswoman and investor, but her career took a turn in 2021 when Chinese authorities scrubbed her name and works from major platforms without an official explanation, fueling speculation about her falling out of favor politically. Despite her sudden disappearance from the public eye, Zhao remains an iconic figure in modern Chinese entertainment history.