Artist Profile
- Full Name: Yang Zi
- Native Name: 杨紫
- Nicknames: Xiaozhou, Andy
- Birthday: Nov 06, 1992 (33 years old)
- Blood Type: A
- Height/Weight: 167 cm (5’6") / 50 kg (110 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
- Debut: 2002
- Birthplace: Beijing, China
- Ethnicity: Han Chinese
- Nationality: Chinese
- Profession: Actress, Singer
- Languages: Mandarin (Native), English
- Active Years: 2002–present (24 years)
- Current Agency: Yang Zi Studio
Yang Zi, born Yang Ni’ao, is a Chinese actress and singer. She began acting in 1999 with the television series Ru Ci Chu Shan and later rose to prominence as one of the leading actresses of China’s post-90s generation. She was included on the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list in 2017 and again from 2019 to 2021, and is widely recognized as one of the “Post-90s Four Dan Actresses” in Chinese entertainment.
Early life
Yang Zi was born and raised in Beijing. Her father, Yang Yunfei, worked as an emergency rescue firefighter, while her mother, Ma Haiyan, is a homemaker. Her birth name, Yang Ni’ao, was inspired by China’s Olympic ambitions at the time.
As a child, she frequently attended acting auditions and first appeared on television in 1999 in Ru Ci Chu Shan. She attended Xingcheng Primary School in Fangshan District before later studying at Beijing No. 55 High School in Dongcheng District. In 2010, she enrolled in the Performance Department of the Beijing Film Academy and graduated in May 2014.
Between 2005 and 2006, Yang Zi gained widespread recognition for playing Xia Xue in the family sitcom Home with Kids, which established her as one of China’s best-known child actresses of the 2000s.
Career
In 1999, Yang Zi began her acting career with Ru Ci Chu Shan. In 2004, Yang Zi achieved wider recognition through the role of Xia Xue in Home with Kids and starred in the youth film Girl’s Diary.
In 2008, Yang Zi released the children’s music album Home with Little Xue and performed voice-over work. In 2014, Yang Zi starred in the war drama Battle of Changsha.
In 2016, Yang Zi starred in the urban drama Ode to Joy and the xianxia series Noble Aspirations.
In 2018, Yang Zi portrayed Jin Mi in the romantic fantasy series Ashes of Love.
In 2019, Yang Zi starred in the modern romance series Go Go Squid!, contributed to the ending theme song “Milk Bread,” appeared in the film The Bravest, and received a wax figure at Madame Tussauds Beijing.
In 2021, Yang Zi concluded her contract with H&R Century Pictures and established her own studio. Later that year, Yang Zi starred in the series Psychologist, based on the novel by Bi Shumin.
In 2022, Yang Zi appeared in several live programs connected to the Winter Olympics. In March, Yang Zi starred in The Oath of Love; in July, Yang Zi appeared in Immortal Samsara; and in November, Yang Zi reprised her role in the sequel He Dun’s Happiness.
In 2023, Yang Zi signed with Confidence Entertainment. In July, Yang Zi played the dual roles of Xiao Yao and Wen Xiaoliu in Lost You Forever. In December, Yang Zi was named “TV Actress of the Year” at the Tencent Video Starlight Awards.
In 2024, Yang Zi starred in Love Endures. In April, Yang Zi played Mai Chenghuan in Best Choice Ever and made a guest appearance in the film YOLO. In mid-2024, Yang Zi reprised her role in Lost You Forever 2. In November, Yang Zi began filming the historical drama Jia Ye.
In 2025, Yang Zi took the lead role in the historical series Flourished Peony. The first part aired in January on Hunan TV and Mango TV, with the series also released internationally through Netflix; the second part is scheduled for release in June.
Fun facts
- She is known as the “Nation’s Daughter” due to her role as Xia Xue in the series Home with Kids.
- Her fans are affectionately called “Zi Mi,” a name that implies sweetness and refers to purple rice.
- She has a pet cat named Yuan Bao, which she often treats like a little prince.
- She enjoys spicy Sichuan hotpot and continues to eat it despite the heat.
- She has a hobby of collecting small dolls and considers her room a miniature museum.
- She has been referred to as a “bare-faced goddess” for her natural appearance.
- She is known for her sense of humor in reality shows and once described herself as being “as salty as sea salt.”
- She enjoys reading detective novels and has expressed interest in playing a detective role.
- She is passionate about gardening, particularly growing cacti, as she believes their thorns represent strength.
- She can imitate the voices of various cartoon characters.
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