Liu Yifei's Profile
- Full Name: Liu Yifei
- Native Name: 刘亦菲
- Nicknames: Crystal Liu, Fairy Sister, Xixi
- Birthday: Aug 25, 1987 (38 years old)
- Blood Type: B
- Height/Weight: 170 cm (5’7") / 53 kg (117 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Virgo
- Chinese Zodiac: Rabbit
- Debut: 2002
- Birthplace: Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Ethnicity: Han Chinese
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Nationality:
USA
- Profession: Actress, Singer, Model
- Languages: Mandarin (Native), English, Japanese, French, Korean.
- Active Years: 2002 – present (23 years)
Liu Yifei, whose real name is An Feng, was born on August 25, 1987, in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. She is an actress, singer, and model with Chinese-American nationality, known for her roles in many Chinese TV dramas and films, as well as the lead role in Disney’s live-action Mulan. She mainly works in the field of acting both in China and internationally.
Early Life
Liu Yifei grew up in an intellectual family: her father, An Shaokang, was a diplomat, and her mother, Liu Xiaoli, was a professional dancer. Liu Yifei lived in China until 1997, when she was 10 years old, then moved to New York with her mother following her parents’ divorce. She took her mother’s surname Liu and was given the name Liu Ximeizi by her grandmother.
In the United States, she went by the name An Feng, attended middle and high school, and began using English alongside Mandarin. Living in a multicultural environment helped her become fluent in both languages. She is known to be private and rarely shares details about her personal life with the public.
At the age of 15, Liu Yifei appeared on Chinese television screens, embodying the “goddess” image in historical dramas such as Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils and The Return of the Condor Heroes. She quickly became the face of ethereal Asian beauty — characterized by delicate, graceful features, smooth skin, and gentle eyes — often portrayed in Chinese period dramas.
Career
Liu Yifei began her acting career in 2002 with the television drama The Story of a Noble Family, marking her first appearance on screen.
From 2003 to 2006, she took on a series of major period drama roles. Her portrayal of Wang Yuyan in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (2003) brought her early recognition. In 2005, she starred as Zhao Ling’er in Chinese Paladin. By 2006, her role as Xiaolongnü in The Return of the Condor Heroes established her as a leading figure in wuxia television dramas.
In 2004, Liu Yifei made her film debut in Love of May. In 2008, she signed with the William Morris Agency in the United States and starred in the Chinese–American co-production The Forbidden Kingdom alongside Jackie Chan and Jet Li, marking her entry into the international film market.
From 2007 onwards, her career shifted toward cinema. In 2010, she appeared in Love in Disguise and The Sorcerer and the White Snake, in which her role as Nie Xiaoqian achieved significant box-office success. In the following years, Liu Yifei starred in The Assassins (2012) and The Four series, earning the Best Actress Award at the Macau International Movie Festival for her role in The Assassins.
Between 2014 and 2017, she took on a wide range of projects. In 2014, she co-starred with South Korean singer Rain in For Love or Money. In 2015, she appeared in The Third Way of Love, which earned her the award for Most Anticipated Actress at the China Film Awards. During this period, she also became the global ambassador for luxury brands Dior Prestige and Tissot. In 2016, she starred in the Chinese–French co-production Night Peacock, which was screened at multiple international film festivals. In 2017, she appeared in Once Upon a Time and The Chinese Widow, the latter opening the Shanghai International Film Festival.
A major milestone came in 2020 with her leading role as Mulan in Disney’s live-action adaptation Mulan. Selected from nearly 1,000 candidates worldwide, her performance earned her the Best Actress award at the 46th Saturn Awards, along with several other international nominations and recognitions.
After her success in international cinema, Liu Yifei returned to television. In 2022, she played Zhao Pan’er in A Dream of Splendor, which recorded over 57 billion online views and won her the Best Actress Award at the Macau International Television Festival. In 2023, she starred in Meet Yourself, which achieved strong viewership ratings and earned her the Quality Actress Award at the Weibo Awards Ceremony.
In 2024, Liu Yifei took on the role of Huang Yimei in The Tale of Rose. The series premiered in June 2024, and in 2025, her performance won her the Actress of the Year award at the China TV Directors’ Conference.
Over more than two decades, Liu Yifei has built a career marked by selectivity and consistency. She has appeared in only a handful of television dramas, but each has become a significant milestone. Her journey spans early television stardom, a shift to commercial and art-house cinema, a breakthrough in the international market, and a return to television with more mature roles—shaping a career that is both steady and distinctive.
Fun Facts
- Nicknamed the “Fairy Sister” for her ethereal, delicate beauty.
- Trained in piano and dance from a young age, Liu Yifei can also play the pipa and guzheng, earning her the playful title of “multi-talented artist.”
- Having lived in Queens, New York, she speaks English with near-native fluency.
- A devoted cat lover, her pet “Xiao Hei” reigns as the “little emperor” at home.
- She has an unusual hobby: collecting perfumes and creating her own signature scents.
- Ventured into J-pop as a singer, releasing the single “Mayonaka no Door” for the anime Powerpuff Girls Z.
- Fluent in French, influenced by her father-a diplomat and French professor.
- Dubbed the “period drama goddess” for her many iconic historical roles, yet in real life, she prefers casual sportswear.
- Loves traveling and often shares scenic photos on social media.
- Frequently listed in Forbes China Celebrity 100, she’s a “fan magnet” in Chinese entertainment.
Photo Gallery
