Chinese Actress Xin Zhilei’s Rise in Popularity and Earnings
Chinese actress Xin Zhilei has recently become a household name in the entertainment industry following her award-winning performance in the film “Reaching the Sky” at the Venice Film Festival. Not only has her fame skyrocketed, but her income has also surged significantly. According to reports, Xin Zhilei’s earnings have jumped from 6 to 8 million Chinese yuan last year to over 20 million yuan now, marking a remarkable threefold increase in her net worth.
Analysts point out that Xin Zhilei has surpassed popular actresses like Yang Mi, Zhao Liying, Liu Yifei, Liu Shishi, and Tang Yan, who are also from the post-85 generation, after her triumph at the Venice Film Festival. Particularly noteworthy is Yang Mi, who recently rebounded with the success of the film “The Origin of Life” after facing setbacks with previous works such as “1944 in Harbin,” “Love and Destiny,” and “Nothing Can’t be Solved with Hotpot.” However, Xin Zhilei has now overtaken Yang Mi in terms of recognition and success in the industry.
Currently, Xin Zhilei is set to appear in the film “Assassinating the Novelist 2,” with other upcoming projects including TV dramas like “Goddess Puts On A Show” and “Golden” as well as the film “She Kills.” Additionally, she has landed multiple endorsements with top-tier brands, gracing the covers of fashion magazines frequently, and there are rumors of a collaboration with the 24-year-old popular actor Yi Yangqianxi in a new drama.
Despite her recent achievements, Xin Zhilei’s journey to success has not been without challenges. In a recent interview, she opened up about reconciling with her former agent Liang Ting, stating that it was a moment of reflection for her after completing “Reaching the Sky,” especially following her win for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival. Reflecting on her past dispute with Liang Ting’s company “Starlight Divine,” she expressed that she aims to move forward without being burdened by the past and hopes for a lighter step in her career.
At the age of 39, Xin Zhilei’s portrayal in “Reaching the Sky” earned her the Best Actress award at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, making her the third Chinese actress to be honored at the prestigious event after Gong Li and Deanie Ip. Social media users recently uncovered an old video clip of actress Zhang Ziyi praising Xin Zhilei as a “dark horse” on a variety show and revealed that she was the only mentor who voted for Xin Zhilei. Zhang Ziyi’s recognition of Xin Zhilei’s talent has been applauded widely.
During her emotional acceptance speech at the Venice Film Festival, Xin Zhilei recalled her early aspirations of becoming an international star and how her dreams have now become a reality. Holding the award in her hand, she quietly exclaimed, “Mom, look,” symbolizing the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance.
With an increasing number of acting projects on the horizon, Xin Zhilei faces skepticism regarding whether her success is solely attributed to her recent accolades. Responding to critics, she maintains a steadfast attitude, stating, “I am climbing the stairs in a straight line; every step I take is solid and leaves a mark behind. Looking back, I can see my journey.” As for her future ambitions, Xin Zhilei candidly declares, “My next goal is to stay grounded, live up to the title of ‘international superstar,’ and enhance the depth and visibility of my work.”