Artist 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
- Nationality: USA
- Profession: Actress, Model
- Languages: Mandarin (Native), English, Japanese, French, Korean.
- Active Years: 2002–present (24 years)
Liu Yifei (born An Feng; August 25, 1987) is a Chinese-American actress, singer, and model. Born in Wuhan, Hubei, China, she is known for her roles in Chinese television and film, as well as the title role in Disney’s live-action film Mulan. She is active in the acting industry within both the Chinese and international markets.
Early life
Liu Yifei was born into an academic family; her father, An Shaokang, was a diplomat, and her mother, Liu Xiaoli, was a professional dancer. Liu Yifei lived in China until 1997. At age 10, following her parents’ divorce, she moved to New York with her mother. She adopted her mother’s surname, Liu, and was given the name Liu Ximeizi by her grandmother.
During her time in the United States, she used the name An Feng and attended middle and high school, becoming proficient in both English and Mandarin. At age 15, Liu Yifei returned to China and began appearing on television. She established a public image in period dramas such as Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils and The Return of the Condor Heroes. She became associated with East Asian aesthetic standards, characterized by delicate features and graceful demeanor in Chinese historical productions.
Career
Liu Yifei began her acting career in 2002 with the television series The Story of a Noble Family. Between 2003 and 2006, she starred in several period dramas, including Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (as Wang Yuyan, 2003), Chinese Paladin (as Zhao Ling’er, 2005), and The Return of the Condor Heroes (as Xiaolongnü, 2006).
In 2004, Liu Yifei made her film debut in Love of May. In 2008, she signed with the William Morris Agency and starred in the Chinese-American co-production The Forbidden Kingdom alongside Jackie Chan and Jet Li.
Starting in 2007, Liu Yifei shifted her focus toward cinema. In 2010, she appeared in Love in Disguise and A Chinese Ghost Story. She later starred in The Assassins and The Four film trilogy. For her performance in The Assassins, she received the Best Actress award at the Macau International Movie Festival. From 2014 to 2017, she appeared in various film projects, including For Love or Money (2014), The Third Way of Love (2015), and Night Peacock (2016). In 2017, she starred in Once Upon a Time and The Chinese Widow.
In 2020, Liu Yifei played the lead role in the Disney live-action film Mulan, for which she won Best Actress at the 46th Saturn Awards. In 2021, she announced her involvement in the female-centric period drama A Dream of Splendor, directed by Yang Yang. This project marked her return to television after several years of focusing on film. The series, co-starring Chen Xiao, Liu Yan, and Lin Yun, began filming that year. Also in 2021, she terminated her contract with Adidas in March after the brand expressed support for the Better Cotton Initiative.
In 2022, Liu Yifei officially returned to television in A Dream of Splendor, playing the role of Zhao Pan’er. The 40-episode series reached over 5.7 billion views and set a heat index record on Tencent Video, recording 2 billion views within the first 15 hours of broadcasting. She won Best Actress at the Macau International TV Festival for this role.
In 2023, she starred alongside Li Xian in the romantic drama Meet Yourself as Xu Hongdou. The series was selected by the China Administration of Radio and Television as one of the outstanding films of the year and influenced regional tourism, contributing to a reported 300% increase in tourism growth in Yunnan.
In 2024, Liu Yifei played Huang Yimei in the urban drama The Tale of Rose, directed by Wang Jun, which aired on CCTV-8 in June. The series reached a heat index of 31,558 on Tencent Video, setting a record for the urban drama genre and the number of brand collaborations.
In 2025, Liu Yifei received the Actress of the Year award in January and signed an endorsement contract with Huawei for its electric vehicle sector. She continued her tenure as a global brand ambassador for Bvlgari, Louis Vuitton, and Dior, while also participating in the television series The Love of Hypnosis, which is currently awaiting broadcast.
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
