Yang Zi's Profile
- Full Name: Yang Zi
- Native Name: 杨紫
- Nicknames: Xiaozhou, Andy
- Birthday: Nov 06, 1992 (32 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 (23 years)
Yang Zi (Andy) (birth name: Yang Ni’ao; born November 6, 1992, in Fangshan District, Beijing, China) is a Chinese actress and singer. She began her acting career in 1999 with her debut in the film Ru Ci Chu Shan. Today, Yang Zi is recognized as one of the leading actresses of the post-1990 generation in China. She has been listed multiple times on the Forbes China Celebrity 100 (2017, 2019–2021) and is regarded as one of the “Four Dan Actresses of the Post-90s Generation” in China.
Early life
Yang Zi was born into a family in Beijing. Her father, Yang Yunfei, worked as a firefighter specializing in emergency rescue, while her mother, Ma Haiyan, was a homemaker. Her birth name, “Yang Ni’ao,” was given by her father, reflecting the aspiration for China’s successful bid to host the Olympic Games.
From an early age, Yang Zi showed a strong interest in acting. At just six years old, she began auditioning and made her first screen appearance in the television drama Ru Ci Chu Shan (1999). In her education, she attended Xingcheng Primary School in Fangshan District, followed by Beijing No. 55 High School in Dongcheng District. In 2010, she was admitted to the Beijing Film Academy, majoring in acting, and graduated in May 2014.
Between 2005 and 2006, at just over 13 years old, Yang Zi gained national recognition for her role as Xia Xue in Home with Kids, a family sitcom that was highly popular on Chinese television at the time. This role established her as one of the most visible child actresses of the 2000s, and her subsequent career marked a relatively smooth transition from child star to adult actress.
Career
Yang Zi began her career in 1999 with her first appearance in the film Ru Ci Chu Shan.
In 2004, she became widely recognized on television for her role as Xia Xue in the family sitcom Home with Kids, a long-running series that established her as a familiar face among viewers. That same year, she appeared on the big screen in the youth film Girl’s Diary.
In 2008, she released the children’s album Home with Xiaoxue and expanded her work into dubbing, building a profile as a versatile performer early on.
In 2014, Yang Zi took part in the war drama Battle of Changsha, a project that marked her transition from child star to leading actress. By 2016, she was leading in both contemporary and fantasy productions: the urban drama Ode to Joy and the fantasy series Noble Aspirations. This period confirmed her steady move into main roles across diverse genres.
A major breakthrough came in 2018 when she played the lead role of Jin Mi in the fantasy romance Ashes of Love, which became one of the most watched dramas on streaming platforms.
In 2019, she continued her success with the modern romance Go Go Squid!, while also contributing the ending theme song Milk Bread. That same year, she appeared in the disaster-action film The Bravest, and her wax figure was unveiled at Madame Tussauds Beijing.
In 2021, Yang Zi ended her contract with H&R Century Pictures and established her own studio to manage her projects. Later that year, she starred in the psychological drama Psychologist, adapted from the novel by Bi Shumin, solidifying her new stage as an independent artist.
In 2022, she participated in live programs related to the Winter Olympics and in March led the romance series The Oath of Love, which recorded billions of online streams and won her the “Tencent Business Breakthrough Award.” In July, she starred in the fantasy drama Immortal Samsara, earning a nomination for Best Actress in a Costume Drama at the 35th Huading Awards. In November, she reprised her role in the follow-up series He Dun’s Happiness.
In 2023, Yang Zi signed with Confidence Entertainment, a new management agency. In July, she played dual roles as Xiao Yao and Wen Xiaoliu in Lost You Forever, a production praised for both its commercial success and artistic quality, which also earned her a Best Actress nomination at the 29th Shanghai Television Festival. In December, she was named “Drama Actress of the Year” at Tencent Video’s All Star Night.
In 2024, Yang Zi maintained a high profile with several major projects. Early in the year, she headlined Love Endures, a large-scale romantic drama produced by Youku. In April, she starred in the family drama Best Choice Ever as Mai Chenghuan, a young woman navigating family pressures and career ambitions. The series delivered strong ratings and brought her the “Outstanding Actress” award at the 20th China–US Television Festival, along with further nominations. That same month, she made a guest appearance in the comedy film YOLO. Mid-year, she returned for Lost You Forever 2. In November, she began filming the historical drama Jia Ye, co-starring with Elvis Han.
In 2025, Yang Zi played the female lead in the period drama Flourished Peony, opposite Li Xian. The first part aired in January on Hunan TV and Mango TV, and was also distributed internationally on Netflix. The second part is scheduled for June. For this project, she was again nominated for Best Actress at the 30th Shanghai Television Festival, underlining her sustained presence at the forefront of contemporary television.
Fun Facts
- Nicknamed “National Daughter” for her role as Xia Xue in “Home with Kids”.
- Fans affectionately call her “Zimi”-as sweet and adorable as bubble tea.
- She’s the “boss” of a cat named “Yuanbao”, pampered like a little prince.
- Loves spicy Sichuan hotpot-“sweats buckets but can’t resist the flavor.”
- Collects mini dolls; her room is a “tiny museum.”
- Dubbed the “bare-faced goddess” for her naturally beautiful skin-no filter needed.
- Famous for her witty humor on reality shows, calling herself “as salty as the sea.”
- Enjoys detective novels and has hinted at wanting to play a detective role.
- Passionate about gardening, especially cacti-“the more prickly, the tougher, just like me!”
- Can mimic cartoon character voices with delightful charm.
Photo Gallery
