# Zhang Yuqi

Zhang Yuqi (Chinese: 张雨绮; born 8 August 1987), also known as Kitty Zhang, is a Chinese actress best known for her roles in Stephen Chow's films CJ7 (2008) The Mermaid (2016).

## Early life and career

Zhang was born in Dezhou, Shandong province. She left Shandong at the age of 15 to attend the Affiliated Chinese Opera School of Shanghai Theatre Academy, a vocational school for Chinese opera talents.
Zhang appeared in a minor, uncredited role in the 2007 film The Longest Night in Shanghai. Stephen Chow first noticed her in an advertisement for Kentucky Fried Chicken, and recruited her into his agency. She soon had her breakout role in the science fiction film CJ7, playing a young teacher opposite Chow. The film brought her major media attention as a "Sing girl".
After CJ7, Zhang appeared in the Japanese film Shaolin Girl (which was also produced by Chow). Chow considered casting her in Dragonball Evolution, but the role was ultimately given to another actress. Zhang then starred in the romantic comedy All About Women playing a headstrong business woman. In 2009, she played a country girl with a passion for hip-hop music in Jump, a musical comedy directed by Stephen Fung and penned by Stephen Chow.
Zhang ventured next to the horror genre in the Curse of the Deserted, where she played a college student scoping out a haunted house. She then starred in the kungfu comedy The Butcher, the Chef and the Swordsman, playing a dance hostess.
In 2012, Zhang was cast in the role of Qian Xuesen's wife, Jiang Ying in the biopic of the author. She then starred in the film adaptation of the Chinese literary classic White Deer Plain written by Chen Zhongshi. She plays Tian Xiao'e, a sensual, illiterate woman who follows her instincts. The role posed a challenge to Zhang, as it involved intimate scenes. Many other actresses rejected the role. Zhang won her first "Best Actress" trophy at the Chinese American Film Festival. She was also voted the Most Popular Actress at the Beijing College Student Film Festival for her performance.
In 2014, Zhang played a supporting role in Peter Chan's film Dearest, receiving acclaim for performance as a mother who lost a child.
In 2015, Zhang was cast alongside Brandon Routh in Lost in the Pacific, a sci-fi action adventure film directed by Vincent Zhou.
Zhang reunited with mentor Stephen Chow in his 2016 film The Mermaid, where she played the film's antagonist. Variety praised Zhang for "letting herself go, with her bitchiness and predatory sex appeal". The Mermaid broke the Chinese box office record and revived Zhang's waning film career.
In 2017, Zhang starred in the fantasy comedy film The Golden Monk directed by Wong Jing. The same year, she starred in Chen Kaige's fantasy mystery film Legend of the Demon Cat, for which she won the Best Supporting Actress award at the Asian Film Awards.

## Personal life

Zhang and Wang Quan'an had a whirlwind romance in 2011, and they married on 18 April in that year. Zhang announced they were divorced on 2 July 2015.
Zhang married businessman Yuan Bayuan in October 2016. On 27 September 2018, they issued a statement that they had agreed to divorce.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | English title | Chinese title | Role | Notes |
| 2007 | The Longest Night in Shanghai | 夜·上海 | | Cameo |
| 2008 | CJ7 | 长江七号 | Mrs. Yuen | |
| 2008 | Shaolin Girl | 少林少女 | Minmin Ryû | |
| 2008 | All About Women | 女人不坏 | Tang Lu | |
| 2009 | Jump | 跳出去 | Phoenix | |
| 2010 | Here Comes Fortune | 财神到 | Wu Shanshan | |
| 2010 | Curse of the Deserted | 荒村公寓 | Ouyang Xiaozhi | |
| 2011 | The Butcher, the Chef and the Swordsman | 刀剑笑 | Madam Mei | |
| 2012 | Qian Xuesen | 钱学森 | Jiang Ying | |
| 2012 | General's Command | 将令 | | Documentary film |
| 2012 | White Deer Plain | 白鹿原 | Tian Xiao'e | |
| 2014 | Dearest | 亲爱的 | Fan Yun | |
| 2015 | The Honey Enemy | 情敌蜜月 | Xia Xiaoyu | |
| 2016 | Lost in the Pacific | 蒸发太平洋 | Ruo Xin | |
| 2016 | The Mermaid | 美人鱼 | Ruo Lan | |
| 2017 | Come Across Love | 不期而遇 | Li Xin | |
| 2017 | The Golden Monk | 降魔大聖 | Jing Jing | |
| 2017 | Legend of the Demon Cat | 妖猫传 | Chun Qin | |
| 2019 | The Sexy Guys | 最佳男友进化论 | Wen Jing | |

### Television series

| Year | English title | Chinese title | Role | Notes |
| 2017 | Ice Fantasy Destiny | 幻城凡世 | Li Luo | |
| 2019 | Behind The Scenes | 幕后之王 | Xin Huimei | Special appearance |
| 2020 | Candle in the Tomb: The Lost Caverns | 鬼吹灯之龙岭迷路窟 | Shirley Yang | |
| 2021 | Cracking Case | 拆·案 | Gong Shuchun | Guest appearance |
| 2022 | Mom Wow | 加油妈妈 | Zhou Nannan | |
| 2022 | Candle in the Tomb: Kunlun Tomb | 鬼吹灯之昆仑神宫 | Shirley Yang | |
| 2023 | The Outsider (Chinese Drama) | 繁华似锦 | Su Mo | Main Role |

### Variety show

| Year | English title | Chinese title | Role | Notes |
| 2020 | Sisters Who Make Waves | 乘风破浪的姐姐 | Cast member | |
| 2020 | Lady Land | 姐姐的爱乐之程 | Cast member | |

## Awards

| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work |
| 2012 | 8th Chinese American Film Festival | Best Actress | White Deer Plain |
| 2013 | 20th Beijing College Student Film Festival | Favorite Actress Award | White Deer Plain |
| 2013 | 14th Golden Phoenix Awards | Society Award | White Deer Plain, Qian Xuesen |
| 2017 | 29th Hong Kong Society of Cinematographers Awards | Most Charismatic Actress | The Mermaid |
| 2018 | 12th Asian Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Legend of the Demon Cat |