# Michelle Chen

Michelle Chen Yanxi (born Chen Mei-hsuan; 31 May 1983) is a Taiwanese actress and singer. Chen is best known for starring in the 2011 film You Are the Apple of My Eye, which broke box office records for Taiwanese films in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Chen is also known for the films Hear Me (2009), Badges of Fury (2013), Pali Road (2015), as well as the TV series The Romance of the Condor Heroes (2014).

## Early life and education

Chen was born and raised in Taipei. She has an older sister. After middle school, she attended the college-preparatory school Southwestern Academy in San Marino, California. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in business administration in 2005.
In 2006, while visiting family in Taiwan, Chen caught the eye of producer and manager Angie Chai (柴智屏). Chen wanted to break into music at the time, but due to the slow growth of the industry, was persuaded instead by Chai to start her career in acting.

## Career

Chen signed a contract with the company Comic Dialogue Theme by Angie Chai. Initially she wanted to be a singer, but the company wanted her to try to advance in the field of cinema. She therefore played supporting roles in several films and television series and caught attention for her lovely and cute looks, but did not leave much impression.
In 2009, she starred in the movie Hear Me as a swimming athlete with hearing disabilities. Her acting captured people's hearts and helped her clinch the nomination for the "Best New Actress Award" at the 46th Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards.
In 2011, after seeing success with her debut film Hear Me, Chen starred in the hit Taiwanese film You Are the Apple of My Eye (2011). The film was written and directed by Giddens Ko, produced by Angie as executive, and based on Ko's novel. In the film, Chen plays the role of Shen Chia-yi. The film broke records at the box office, becoming the 4th highest grossing domestic Taiwanese film. In the film's soundtrack, she also wrote and sang the song Haiziqi (孩子氣). For her performance in the film, Chen was also nominated for a "Best Actress" award at the 46th Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards.
In 2013, due to the success of You Are the Apple of My Eye, Michelle Chen was cast in the lead role of the film Badges of Fury starring Jet Li, Donnie Yen and Simon Yam. In May 2013, Chen released her debut album Me, Myself, and I. Including some self-composed songs, the album received an average response from critics and music listeners.
In 2014, after termination of the contract with the company Comic Voice Tri in 2012, Chen was cast as Xiaolongnü in The Romance of the Condor Heroes. Her casting announcement was met with widespread opposition from the public, with criticisms leveled at her appearance, which is not as light and angelic as the description of Xiaolongnu in the book.
In 2015, Michelle Chen starred in two new series. In the movie Young For You, she played the role of Qiu Zi. In the TV series The Legend of Qin, she portrayed Rong Duanmu.
In 2016, she starred in Pali Road, where she played the role of Lily with actor Jackson Rathbone. The movie, filmed and set in Hawaii, United States.

## Personal life

Chen's first boyfriend after entering the entertainment industry was Aron. Both had studied in the U.S. and returned to Taiwan in 2006. After a relationship of 1 year and 4 months, they broke up during Christmas the following year. Aron was later sentenced to 16 years for marijuana trafficking. Chen's single Sorry was written in memory of this relationship.
In 2010, Chen dated Alan Ko for eight months.
In 2015, Chen began dating her The Romance of the Condor Heroes co-star Chen Xiao. On July 5, 2016, they registered their marriage in the city of Beijing and held a wedding ceremony on July 19 at Yanqi Lake (雁栖湖) in Huairou, Beijing. They held the guining banquet (bridal visit to parents) in Chen's hometown of Taipei on July 21, 2016. Chen gave birth to their son in 2016, named Chen Muchen (陈睦辰). On 18 February 2025, the two announced that they were divorced.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | English title | Original title | Role | Notes |
| 2009 | Hear Me | 聽說 | Lin Hsiao-peng | |
| 2009 | Ego's Mask | | | |
| 2011 | Tempest of First Love | 初戀風暴 | Chuang Kai-en | |
| 2011 | You Are the Apple of My Eye | 那些年，我們一起追的女孩 | Shen Chia-yi | |
| 2012 | The Soul of Bread | 愛的麵包魂 | Chiu Hsiao-ping | |
| 2012 | Ripples of Desire | 花漾 | Bai Xiaoxue | |
| 2013 | Together | 在一起 | Jojo | |
| 2013 | Badges of Fury | 不二神探 | Angela | |
| 2014 | Lock Me Up, Tie Him Down | 完美假妻168 | Reporter | cameo |
| 2014 | Urban Games | 城市游戏 | Dai Rui | |
| 2014 | Café. Waiting. Love | 等一個人咖啡 | customer | cameo |
| 2015 | 12 Golden Ducks | 12金鴨 | Suk-fun | cameo |
| 2015 | This Is Me | 年少轻狂 | Qiu Yingzi | |
| 2015 | Go Lala Go 2 | 杜拉拉II:追婚记 | Carrie | cameo |
| 2016 | Run for Love | 奔爱 | Lily | Segment: "Artificial Sunlight" (人造阳光) |
| 2016 | Scandal Maker | 外公芳龄38 | Tang Hui Ru | |
| 2016 | Morning, Paris! | 巴黎早安 | Chantel | |
| 2016 | Pali Road | 夏威夷之恋 | Lily Zhang | |
| 2018 | The Shadow Play | 风中有朵雨做的云 | Lian Ah-yun | |
| 2021 | A Trip With Your Wife | 跟你老婆去旅行 | Xiao Yi | |

### Television series

| Year | English title | Original title | Role |
| 2007 | Why Why Love | 換換愛 | Jiang Xiao-nan |
| 2008 | Wish to See You Again | 這裡發現愛 | Pan Neng-xian |
| 2008 | Miss No Good | 不良笑花 | Jiang Mi |
| 2010 | Drunken Red Dust | 醉紅塵 | Lei Jin-yi |
| 2010 | Channel-X | 國民英雄 | Lo Shan-shan |
| 2011 | Moment in Macau | 鏡海風雲 | Ni Jing-ya |
| 2011 | Remember, About Us | 記得，我們有約 | Jiang Mu-yun |
| 2011 | Lin Bei | 珍愛林北 | Lin Hsiao-ni |
| 2014 | The Romance of the Condor Heroes | 神鵰俠侶 | Xiaolongnü |
| 2015 | The Legend of Qin | 秦時明月 | Duanmu Rong |
| 2016 | City Still Believe in Love | 北上广依然相信爱情 | Huang Yiran |
| 2021 | Got Old Recently | 大妈的世界 | Sheng Qianshi |
| 2023 | Warm and Sweet | 温暖的甜蜜的 | Qi Jiayi |
| 2023 | Teresa Teng | 但愿人长久 | Teresa Teng |

### Variety show

* 2011–12 Miss Traveler (WOMAN愛旅行) on Chinese Television System — co-host (3 episodes)
* 2015 Yes! Coach (报告！教练) on Dragon Television — reality show contestant

## Discography
### Studio albums

All lyrics are written by Michelle Chen

### Other songs

All songs are in Mandarin.
| Song | Lyrics | Music | Notes |
| "Gong Xin Ji" (攻心計; "Mind Game") — Lollipop F ft. Michelle Chen | Owodog, 小色, Michelle Chen | Lee Tzu-nung | included in Lollipop F's album Four Dimensions |
| "Hai Zi Qi" (孩子氣; "Childish") | Michelle Chen | Michelle Chen | insert song of You Are the Apple of My Eye |
| "Piao Liu Ping" (漂流瓶; "Drift Bottle") — Ko Chen-tung ft. Michelle Chen | Lee Hsuan-Le | Lee Hsuan-Le | included in Ko Chen-tung's album Be Yourself |
| "Ai De Mian Bao" (愛的麵包; "The Bread of Love" — ft. Anthony Neely & Chen Han-tien) | Michelle Chen | Skot Suyama | theme song of The Soul of Bread |
| "Ni Shou Zhong De Jiang Hu" (你手中的江湖; "The Martial World in Your Hands") | Fran | Fran | theme song of the mobile game San Jian Hao |
| "Ni Wo" (你我; "You and Me" — duet with Chen Xiao) | Yu Zheng | Tan Xuan | theme song of The Romance of the Condor Heroes |
| "Ai Ru Chu Jian" (愛如初見; "Love Like First Sight" — duet with Chen Xiao) | Chen Xi | Dong Dongdong | theme song of the mobile game Shen Diao Xia Lü |
| "Hua La La" (嘩啦啦) | Michelle Chen | He Liang | theme song of This Is Me |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Notes |
| 2009 | 46th Golden Horse Awards | Best New Performer | Hear Me | Nominated |
| 2011 | 48th Golden Horse Awards | Best Leading Actress | You Are the Apple of My Eye | Nominated |
| 2012 | New York Asian Film Festival | Asia Rising Star | — | Won |
| 2012 | 6th Asian Film Awards | Best Actress | You Are the Apple of My Eye | Nominated |
| 2012 | 6th Asian Film Awards | Favorite Actress | You Are the Apple of My Eye | Nominated |
| 2012 | Changchun Film Festival | Best Actress | You Are the Apple of My Eye | Nominated |
| 2012 | Chinese Film Media Awards | Favorite Performance | You Are the Apple of My Eye | Won |
| 2012 | Chinese Film Media Awards | Favorite Actress | You Are the Apple of My Eye | Nominated |
| 2012 | LeTV Awards | Most Influential Movie Actress | You Are the Apple of My Eye | Won |
| 2012 | Chinese Music Awards | Best Movie Actress | You Are the Apple of My Eye | Won |
| 2015 | 17th Huading Awards | Best Actress (ancient drama) | The Romance of the Condor Heroes | Won |
| 2016 | 19th Huading Awards | Best Actress (ancient drama) | The Legend of Qin | Nominated |
| 2019 | 2nd Cultural and Entertainment Industry Congress | Best Supporting Actress (Film) | The Shadow Play | Nominated |