More than being celebrities, Chinese idols are iconic figures. They’re called “traffic celebrities.” Idols are ideal figures with a pleasing appearance, having a large following but no representative work. Fans have an “emotional” bond with their idols. Idols sing, dance, act, and other talents. Styles, inspiration, and trends are all things fans turn to them for. They are a perfect synthesis of brilliance with no bounds. As a result, fans went crazy for them. Several brands look up to idols as their brand ambassadors. So, here are ten Chinese icons who conquered the globe with their iconic ideas, aesthetics, and actions.
1. Xie Na
Xie Na (Nana), known as the Queen of Weibo, is not only a renowned Chinese host but a singer and actress too. She works in different films, TV series, music albums, variety shows, stage plays, etc. She earned fame while hosting the TV program Happy Camp (variety show). She also stars in various commercials. Currently working as Chinese brand ambassador for the American skincare brand Olay. With 485,000 followers on Instagram, Xie is one of the most followed Chinese celebrities on Weibo.
She is also a founder of a personal clothing line, HUANXING. She is married to Zhang Jie, a singer from China with whom she has been together for ten years.
2. He Jiong 何炅
He Jiong (born April 28 1974) hosted “Happy Camp” for over 20 years and earned popularity. He is a famous singer, actor, and director. He directed Forever Young movie and released three music albums as a singer. He was also an Arabic lecturer at Beijing Foreign Studies University, nicknamed Professor He’. He also received the Hunan Satellite TV Best Host Award. He has received a Guinness Book of Records for being the male celebrity with the most Weibo followers. As of 2021, he has more than 120 million followers on Weibo.
3. Yang Mi
Yang Mi ( born September 12, 1986) earned fame through playing different roles in Chinese films and TV dramas such as “Eternal Love.” Besides this, she is a singer, entrepreneur, and brand ambassador of renowned fashion and skincare brands, including Estee Lauder, Michael Kors, and Victoria’s Secret.
She was also presented with the Best Actress award. By Southern Metropolis Daily, she was named as one of the New Four Dan Actresses. She has secured her name in the “Top 10 Forbes Chinese Celebrities of 2020”. She has 109.8 million fans on Weibo and a huge fan base.
4. Angelababy
Shanghai ‘Angelababy’ (born on February 28, 1989)is the most award-winning actress who has played many roles in different movies and TV dramas. She is a popular model and singer named one of the New Four Dan Actresses by the Chinese newspaper Southern Metropolis Daily. She gained extensive popularity from her breakthrough role in Palace and the opening song Ai De Gong Yang sung by her. She is working as a brand ambassador for Dior. She got married to actor Huang Xiaoming, with whom she has a son. She has opened her own hotpot restaurant Douliu Hotpot in Chengdu. She has 8.8 M followers on Instagram.
5. Chen Kun
Chen Kun (born February 4, 1976) is a Chinese actor who works in French-Chinese romance films. He rose to international prominence with his acting and singing. Chen earned many awards in life, such as the Hundred Flowers Award for Best Actor, the Huabiao Award for Outstanding Actor, and the Golden Horse Award nomination for Best Actor. Chen is also a keen writer, having published and co-authored several books and is a brand ambassador for Braun, Italian fashion house Prada, and recently featured in the French Cognac brand campaign.
He has 93.3 million fans on Weibo. He also founded ‘Power to Go’ to encourage people to improve their health and spirit.
6. Zhao Liying
Zhao Liying (born October 16, 1987), popularly known as Zanilia Zhao, is a Chinese actress who rose to prominence after appearing in “Legend of Lu Zhen.” Zhao’s popularity grew due to the drama’s success in South Korea and Japan. She is a singer who also serves as a tourism ambassador for her home province of Hebei and Dior’s fashion label.
She competed in the Yahoo Search Star Game in 2006 and won the grand prize. She was then signed as a new talent with Huayi Brothers. Zhao has won numerous honors, including Most Popular Actress and Favourite Newcomer. In 2017, she was placed 4th on the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list. She has a child with actor Feng Shao. On Weibo, she has 88.4 million followers.
7. Jackson Yee
Jackson Yee (born November 28, 2000) is an actor, solo artist, and singer who is the youngest member of the Chinese boy band TFBoys. After appearing on a reality talent program, he earns fame. Jackson is the TFBOYS’ principal dancer, drummer, guitarist, and pianist. In the 16th Top Chinese Music Trophies, he received three awards.
He’s even been to the Grammy Awards and given presentations at the World Health Organization’s headquarters. He provides a summary presentation at the United Nations Youth Forum or attends the 18th Asian Games closing ceremony and has even gained the favor of all A-list men’s fashion publications as China’s youngest single cover star. On Weibo, he has 86.9 million followers. He is also an Armani blogger and global brand ambassador.
8. Vicki Zhao
Zhao Wei (born March 12, 1976), popularly known as Vicky Zhao or Vicki Zhao, is a Chinese actress who has catapulted to international fame with roles in films such as Stephen Chow’s Shaolin Soccer (2001), So Close (2001), and Shaolin Soccer (2001). (2002). She is a businesswoman, film director, producer, pop singer, and brand ambassador for several companies (Samsung, Burberry, and Fendi, to name a few). She works for the United Nations as a goodwill ambassador.
She has received the Hundred Flowers Award, the Shanghai Film Critics Award, the Golden Eagle TV Award, and the Shanghai Film Festival Golden Globet and is dubbed one of China’s “Four Young Dan actresses.” As per Japanese media, she is China’s No. 1 actress and “China’s box office sweetheart” She has 85.8 million Weibo followers.
9. Yao Chen
Yao Chen (born October 5, 1979) is a Chinese actress, philanthropist, and brand ambassador for many brands, including Miu Miu, Fendi, and Lululemon. She’s appeared in a slew of national and international films and television shows. She is also the first Chinese UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and nicknamed “China’s Angelina Jolie.” Forbes ranked her as the 83rd most powerful woman on the planet. Yao Chen has been a UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) supporter. She even met with Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in Beijing to discuss matters of refugee camps. Yao has since traveled to Lebanon and Pakistan with UNHCR, where she has provided critical assistance in assisting refugee girls in attending school. On Weibo, she has 84.6 million followers. She married Ling Xiao Su, a Chinese actor, but the couple separated in January 2011.
10. Deng Chao
Deng Chao (born February 8, 1979) is a Chinese actor who rose to prominence due to his outstanding performances on television shows. He is a comedian, director, and famous singer, with some of his works, has appeared at various film festivals. “Only Need You,” “Brothers,” “Bloom,” and “The Story of Time” are some of his songs. He has been honored with the 29th Hundred Flowers Awards, Golden Phoenix Awards, and the 18th Shanghai International Film Festival. He is married to Sun Li and has a son & two daughters. On Weibo, he has 81,6 million followers.
