Zhao Liying, who also goes by the name Zanilia Zhao, is a Chinese actress. Zanilia Zhao was born and raised in Langfang, Hebei province. She was first discovered after she won reality competition “Search Star Game” in 2006.
October 16, 1987
中国, 河北, 廊坊
N/A
Acting
Zhao Liying, also known as Zanilia Zhao, is a prominent Chinese actress born on 16 October 1987 in Langfang, Hebei, China. She graduated from the Langfang School of Electronic Information Engineering and has been active in the entertainment industry since 2006.
Throughout her career, Zhao has gained recognition for her roles in popular television dramas including Legend of Lu Zhen (2013), Boss & Me (2014), The Journey of Flower (2015), The Mystic Nine (2016), Noble Aspirations (2016), Princess Agents (2017), The Story of Minglan (2018), and Legend of Fei (2020). Her performance in Wild Bloom (2022) won her the Best Actress award at both the Flying Apsaras Awards and the Golden Eagle Awards. She is also known for her roles in films such as The Monkey King 3 (2018) and the upcoming Article 20, set to release in 2024.
Zhao's journey to fame began in 2006 when she won the Yahoo Search Star Game, leading to her signing with Huayi Brothers. She made her acting debut in the family drama Golden Marriage in 2007, followed by her first historical drama role in The Firmament of The Pleiades in 2009. This series gained critical acclaim and earned Zhao the Most Popular Actress award at the Chinese Creative Short Video Awards.
In 2010, Zhao gained mainstream recognition after her role in The Dream of Red Mansions, which led to increased popularity with her portrayal of Princess Qing'er in New My Fair Princess in 2011.
Her breakout role came in 2013 with the historical drama Legend of Lu Zhen, where she played an ordinary girl who rises to become the first female prime minister during the Northern Qi dynasty. The show's success both domestically and internationally solidified her status as a top actress. She continued her rise to fame with works like Boss & Me, which topped ratings in China and became popular overseas, and The Journey of Flower, which became the first Chinese drama to surpass 20 billion online views.
In 2016, Zhao starred in the action adventure series The Mystic Nine, which garnered over 10 billion views. She also took on the female lead role in Noble Aspirations, which became the most-watched Chinese drama at that time with over 23 billion views.
Throughout her career, Zhao has been recognized for her talent and has received numerous awards, including the Best Actress award at the 28th China TV Golden Eagle Award. She has also been featured in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia list, highlighting her influence in the entertainment industry.
Outside of acting, Zhao was named the tourism ambassador of Hebei in 2016 and became the Vice President of Yi Xia Technology. In May 2017, her wax figure was unveiled at Madame Tussauds Beijing, and she was appointed as a brand ambassador for Dior in China.
On a personal note, Zhao announced her marriage to actor Feng Shaofeng on 16 October 2018, and they welcomed a son on 8 March 2019. However, the couple announced their divorce on 23 April 2021, sharing custody of their child.
In summary, Zhao Liying is a talented actress whose impactful performances have earned her widespread recognition and numerous accolades in the entertainment industry.
