Zhang Tian'ai

For the Hong Kong actress, see Flora Cheong-Leen.
In this Chinese name, the family name is Zhang.
Zhang Tian'ai
张天爱
Zhang Tian'ai at the 2019 Tokyo International Film Festival
Zhang at the 2019 Tokyo International Film Festival
Born (1988-10-28) 28 October 1988 (age 36)[1][2][3]
Harbin, Heilongjiang
Alma materBeijing Film Academy
Occupations
Years active2008–present
AgentFWS (北京喜天影视文化有限公司)
RelativesZhang Yan (brother)
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese張天愛
Simplified Chinese张天爱
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhāng Tiān'aì

Zhang Tian'ai (Chinese: 张天爱; born 28 October 1988), also known by her English name Crystal Zhang, is a Chinese actress and model. She is best known for her breakout role in the 2015 hit web-drama Go Princess Go.

Early life and education

Zhang Tian'ai was born 28 October 1988 in Harbin, Heilongjiang. Zhang attended high school in Japan, majoring in costume design. She then enrolled in the Beijing Film Academy.[4]

Career

2008–2014: Beginnings and rising popularity

In 2008, Zhang was invited by South Korean director Woody Han to star in Korean short film Cherry Blossom alongside Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun.[5] After which, she continued to appear in minor supporting roles whilst working as an advertisement model.[6] Zhang made her official acting debut in the drama The Second Life of My Husband, which aired in 2013.

Zhang first gained attention in 2014 when she acted alongside Sun Honglei in spy drama The Legendary Sniper.[7] She won the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2nd Hengdian Film and TV Festival of China for her performance.[8][9]

2015–present: Breakout and leading roles

In 2015, Zhang starred in the historical romance web drama Go Princess Go. The low-budget series unexpectedly became a commercial hit, and shot Zhang to fame.[9] Following her fame, Zhang was cast in bigger projects.

In 2016, Zhang starred in the romance film I Belonged to You alongside Deng Chao.[10] The film was a commercial success and earned more than 800 million yuan ($118 million) at the box office.[9]

In 2017, she starred in comedy film Father and Son with Da Peng and Fan Wei, and in fantasy adventure film Legend of the Naga Pearls with Darren Wang.[11][12] She also featured in the war film The Founding of an Army as Soong Mei-ling,[13][14] as well as fantasy-mystery film Legend of the Demon Cat directed by Chen Kaige.[15] Zhang was nominated at the Hundred Flowers Award for Best Supporting Actress with her performance as Soong.[16]

In 2018, Zhang starred in the romantic comedy drama The Evolution Of Our Love alongside Zhang Ruoyun.[17] The same year, she starred as the female lead Ying Huanhuan in fantasy-action drama Martial Universe alongside Yang Yang.[18]

In 2019, Zhang starred in the aviation disaster film The Captain as a flight attendant.[19][20] The same year she starred in the workplace romance drama Crocodile and Plover Bird as an aspiring environmentalist.[21]

In 2020, Zhang appeared in CCTV New Year's Gala for the first time, performing a dance number titled "Quan".[22] She is set to star in the historical film A'mai Joins the Army as the titular character. The same year, she was cast in the wuxia drama Sword Snow Stride written by Wang Juan.[23]

From May 20 to August 5, 2022, Zhang participated in the third season of Sisters Who Make Waves, a Chinese survival reality television show where female celebrities over 30 years old competes to debut in a ten-member girl group. She eventually placed tenth in the finals and debuted in X-Sister.

Filmography

Film

Year English title Chinese title Role Notes/Ref.
2009 Cherry Blossom 落櫻 Zhang Lina Short film[5]
2014 Uncle Victory 勝利 Cameo
2016 I Belonged to You 從你的全世界路過 Yao Ji [10]
2017 Father and Son 父子雄兵 Liu Wen [11]
The Founding of an Army 建军大业 Soong Mei-ling [13]
Legend of the Naga Pearls 鮫珠傳 Hei Yu [12]
Legend of the Demon Cat 妖貓傳 Yu Lian [15]
Travel Through an Alluring Smile 穿越笑倾城 Short film[24]
2018 Miss Puff 泡芙小姐 Civil Affairs Bureau' employee Cameo[25]
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 蜘蛛侠：平行宇宙 Gwen Stacy Voice-dubbed[26]
2019 The Captain 中国机长 Huang Jia [20]
2021 A'mai Joins the Army 阿麦从军 Mai Hui

Television series

Year English title Chinese title Role Network Notes
2013 The Second Life of My Husband 老公的春天 Anhui TV Guest appearance
Mop Lady's Spring 抹布女也有春天 An Di Jiangsu TV
2014 Strange Coffee 怪咖啡 Zhu Liye Tencent [27]
The Legendary Sniper 二炮手 Ling Zhiyu Dragon TV, Jiangsu TV, Zhejiang TV [7]
2015 Go Princess Go 太子妃升職記 Zhang Pengpeng LeTV [9]
Men 男人帮·朋友 Mu Tian [28]
2016 My Fair Lady 我的朋友陳白露小姐 Hai Tang iQiyi [29]
2018 The Evolution of Our Love 爱情进化论 Ai Ruoman Dragon TV, Zhejiang TV [17]
Martial Universe 武动乾坤 Ying Huanhuan Dragon TV [18]
2019 Crocodile and Plover Bird 鳄鱼与牙签鸟 Li Nan'en Hunan TV [21]
2020 Held in the Lonely Castle 清平乐 Chen Xichun Guest appearance[30]
Together 在一起 Nurse Dragon TV
TBA If I Can Never Love You 如果可以，绝不爱你 Zhou Ran Youku
Young and Beautiful 我的漂亮朋友 Liu Wenjing Tencent [31]
Sword Snow Stride 雪中悍刀行 Nangong Pushe [23]

Television shows

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2022 Sisters Who Make Waves Season 3 Contestant Chinese survival reality show that determined X-Sister members
Finished 10th 		[32]

Variety show

Year English title Chinese title Role Network Notes/Ref.
2019 Aiya Good Figure 哎呀好身材 Cast member Mango TV [33]

Discography

Year English title Chinese title Album Notes
2016 "Between Us" 我们之间 I Belonged to You
2020 "Hand in Hand" 手足 Charity song for Coronavirus[34]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2015 2nd Hengdian Film and TV Festival of China Best Supporting Actress The Legendary Sniper Won [8]
Mobile Video Festival Charismatic Actress Award — Won [35]
2016 1st Golden Guduo Media Awards Best Actress Go Princess Go Won [36]
Weibo Fans' Choice Popularity Award Won
L'Officiel Fashion Night Most Talented Actor — Won [37]
Weibo Fan Festival Powerstar Ranking Person of the Year — Won [38]
23rd Cosmo Beauty Ceremony Rising Idol Award — Won [39]
Youku Young Choice Awards Hot Artist of the Year — Won [40]
2017 China Original Literature Billboard Awards Most Popular Actress I Belonged to You Won [41]
Weibo Night Awards Popular Artist of the Year — Won [42]
2nd Weibo Movie Awards Ceremony Most Anticipated Film Goddess — Won [43]
2018 34th Hundred Flowers Awards Best Supporting Actress The Founding of an Army Nominated [16]
2019 Weibo Night Awards Popular Artist of the Year — Won [44]
4th China Quality Television Drama Ceremony Breakthrough Actress Award (Weekly drama) Martial Universe Won [45]
6th The Actors of China Award Ceremony Best Actress (Emerald Category) Nominated [46]
32nd Tokyo International Film Festival
Gold Crane Awards 		Most Popular Actress The Captain Won [47]
16th Esquire Man At His Best Awards Breakthrough Artist of the Year — Won [48]
2020 Weibo Awards Ceremony Rising Artist of the Year — Won [49]

References

  1. ^ "看世界 北京，中国". 嘉人. 2011. ISSN 1672-4771. 女：小爱 23岁
  2. ^ Crystal Zhang (Zhang Tian'ai) Profile - CPOP HOME
  3. ^ Douban Movie of Zhang Tian'ai
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