Recently, the elusive Zhang Manyu has emerged as a hot topic after years of staying out of the public eye. Rumors are circulating that she has signed a contract to join the mainland Chinese variety show “Sisters Who Brave the Winds and Waves 2026” (referred to as “Braving the Waves 2026” or “Sisters 7”). Mango TV has reportedly made customized stage plans and implemented a “no elimination” mechanism to facilitate her collaboration. However, as of now, Zhang Manyu herself has not responded to these reports.
According to sources cited by Chinese media outlet Sina, Zhang Manyu has officially signed on for “Braving the Waves 2026.” A leaked screenshot shows Zhang Manyu responding with “the plane ticket is booked,” indirectly confirming her potential participation. It is claimed that in order to secure this collaboration, the production team spent six months in preparation, and the project leader made multiple trips to Hong Kong to communicate. They ultimately persuaded Zhang Manyu with special treatment such as “no pressure of elimination, customized stage plans, and an exclusive band and lighting team,” hoping to allow her to perform comfortably and without the pressure of comparison.
Reports indicate that since stepping back from the screen in 2012, Zhang Manyu has signed with Modern Sky and participated in music festivals several times. At the 2014 Strawberry Music Festival, she braved strong winds while singing and even when off-key, she defiantly shouted, “I don’t want to stop,” saying, “I acted in 20 films and was still called a vase. Please give me 20 chances in singing too.”
As early as 2004, Zhang Manyu released an English album of movie soundtracks titled “What’s Missing.” In 2015, she composed and sang the theme song “If I Lose You” for the film “Love in the City” and released her solo single “Look in My Eyes” the same year. In 2019, her original song “Youth” was first performed publicly on the show “Youth With You,” demonstrating her continued dedication to music composition.
Having appeared in over 80 films, Zhang Manyu has won five Hong Kong Film Awards and four Taiwan Golden Horse Awards for Best Actress, making her the record holder for these two prestigious accolades. She is also the only Chinese actress to have won Best Actress at the Berlin International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, and Asia-Pacific Film Festival.
Last year, the seasoned 62-year-old Hong Kong actress Ye Tong overwhelmingly won the championship in “Sisters 6,” becoming the “oldest overall champion” since the show premiered in 2020. Ye Tong publicly expressed her desire to invite Zhang Manyu to participate in the show, believing that her passion for music and stage experience align with the spirit of the program. If the rumors are true, Zhang Manyu’s debut performance on the show might showcase a jazz style, emphasizing maturity and subtlety, in contrast to the typical singing and dancing performances seen in previous seasons.
After withdrawing from the silver screen, Zhang Manyu has settled abroad for an extended period, leading a semi-retired life. Recently, she opened a short video platform account, sharing snippets of her daily life. From the videos, it is evident that living without the aura of a celebrity, Zhang Manyu thrives in a carefree manner. She can be seen cycling on the streets of London without worrying about others’ gazes, and hardly anyone recognizes her.
Following the news of Zhang Manyu’s participation, while the show’s lineup has not been officially announced by the production, the attention on the show has skyrocketed. Not only have fans been excited, but the show has gained immense popularity even before its broadcast, with discussions trending multiple times and brand sponsorship prices rising by 30% compared to the previous season.