Jimmy Lin
Zhang Yixing was born Zhang Jiashuai (Chinese:张加帅) in Changsha, Hunan, China on 7 October 1991. His legal name was later changed to Zhang Yixing. His first known acting role was at six years old, starring as Huan Huan in the 1998 Chinese television drama "We The People". In 2000, at nine years old, Zhang participated in a Chinese television show as a fan club member of the Taiwanese singer and actor Jimmy Lin, giving him his first contact with the entertainment industry. Zhang began his career as a local child star after winning third place in a competition organized by the Hunan-based television show "Star Academy" in 2005. He also appeared in an episode of "Yue Ce Yue Xin Kai" and Liu Na's variety show, "Na Ke Bu Yi Yang" between 2005 and 2006. In April 2006, he auditioned for a leading part in Zhang Jizhong's "The Duke of Mount Deer", but did not win the role despite being a finalist.