Angelababy
Angelababy | |
|---|---|
| Born | Angela Yeung Wing February 28, 1989 Shanghai, China |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, model |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Known for | Mojin: The Lost Legend, Keep Running |
Angela Yeung Wing (; born 28 February 1989), professionally recognized as Angelababy, is a prominent Chinese actress and model. In 2013, she was honored as one of the New Four Dan Actresses by Southern Metropolis Entertainment Weekly. Her performance in Mojin: The Lost Legend earned her the Hundred Flowers Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2016. From 2014 until 2023, Angelababy was a regular participant on the variety program Keep Running.
Early life
Born in Shanghai, China, Angelababy is the daughter of a Shanghainese mother and a father from Hong Kong with mixed German and Chinese heritage. Her given name is Yang Ying (Cantonese: Yeung Wing). Her father’s involvement in the fashion industry in Shanghai played a significant role in shaping her early fascination with style. She fondly remembers frequenting his store to experiment with different outfits, which fueled her enthusiasm for fashion.
At thirteen, Yang Ying relocated to Hong Kong and signed with Style International Management at fourteen. Her professional moniker combines her English name Angela with her childhood nickname "Baby."
2007–2009: Early career
Beginning her modeling journey at age fourteen, Angelababy often partnered with fellow agency model Janice Man, creating a twin-like image that gained attention in Hong Kong. Together, they launched the streetwear label CHOICE, although their collaboration concluded in 2008. Angelababy made her acting debut with a brief appearance in Trivial Matters (2007) and followed with a supporting role in the 2009 film Short of Love.
2010–2013: Growing recognition
In 2010, Angelababy secured several significant roles, leading to her first starring role in Love You You (2011) opposite Eddie Peng. She also showcased her vocal talent by performing a duet with JJ Lin for the film’s soundtrack. The following year, she co-starred with Mark Chao in First Time, an adaptation of the Korean movie ...ing, which garnered her the Most Anticipated Actress accolade at the 13th Chinese Film Media Awards. She took on the role of a martial artist in both installments of the wuxia film series Tai Chi. In 2013, Angelababy portrayed a courtesan in Tsui Hark's crime action movie Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon, earning the title of Most Popular Actress at the 21st Beijing College Student Film Festival.
2014–2022: Established prominence
Angelababy became part of the cast of Keep Running—the Chinese adaptation of South Korea’s Running Man—in 2014. The show's widespread acclaim significantly elevated her public profile. That same year, she appeared alongside fellow cast member Michael Chen in the romantic film Love on the Cloud, which achieved moderate box office results. Additionally, she received accolades such as "Weibo Goddess" and "Weibo Queen" during 2014.
Her Hollywood debut came with a minor role in Hitman: Agent 47. Subsequently, she starred in Mojin: The Lost Legend, adapted from the popular tomb-raiding novel series Ghost Blows Out the Light. This film set a record as the highest-grossing Chinese-language IMAX release at that time, earning before being surpassed by The Mermaid. For this role, she won Best Supporting Actress at the 33rd Hundred Flowers Awards, although critical reception to her performance was mixed. In addition, she made her television debut starring in the historical drama Love Yunge from the Desert that year.
In 2016, Angelababy appeared in a supporting role in Hollywood’s Independence Day: Resurgence and was featured on Forbes' inaugural list of 30 under 30 Asian Celebrities spanning film, music, television, and sports. The following year, she led alongside Wallace Chung in the commercially successful historical drama General and I, despite facing criticism regarding her acting skills and reliance on stunt doubles.
Continuing with contemporary dramas, Angelababy starred in Entrepreneurial Age (2018) opposite Huang Xuan, and in 2019 portrayed a real estate agent in My True Friend alongside Deng Lun. In 2021, she was cast opposite Ren Jialun in the drama series Twilight.
2023–present: Break and Return
Following her 2022 separation from Huang Xiaoming, Angelababy's professional momentum decelerated. In October 2023, she encountered considerable backlash due to allegations that she attended Lisa's performance at the Crazy Horse cabaret in Paris. Chinese online communities asserted this breached restrictions barring entertainers from engaging in activities linked to obscenity, prompting demands for sanctions against her. The cabaret officially refuted claims of her presence. By November 2023, Angelababy's profiles on prominent Chinese social media platforms such as Sina Weibo and Douyin were either silenced or limited. CCTV removed footage of her appearances, and after a decade, she ceased participation in the hosting roster of Running Man. Although her accounts were reinstated by January 2024, she continued to face partial blacklisting. In June 2024, her role in the Running Man spin-off was subject to censorship. The later approval for distribution of the costume drama Everlasting Longing, featuring Angelababy, signaled official endorsement following the controversy. Her comeback in January 2025 included starring roles in two web series: Everlasting Longing and the historical thriller Back for You.
Personal life
Angelababy started a relationship with Hong Kong actor William Chan in 2005 during her tenure as host of Viva! Club Disney. Their relationship ended by early 2010 amid rumors regarding Chan's alleged unfaithfulness.
From 2009 onwards, she was involved with Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming, who is twelve years older; their romance was made public in February 2014. They wed on 27 May 2015 in Qingdao, China, holding a wedding banquet in Shanghai estimated to cost around US$31 million. In October 2016, the couple revealed Angelababy was expecting their child; she delivered their son on 11 January 2017 at Hong Kong Adventist Hospital. Their son is affectionately called "Xiaohaimian" ("little sponge"). The pair announced their divorce on 28 January 2022.
Business and philanthropy
Angelababy has diversified her investments across several ventures, including a nail salon, a café co-owned with Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Ka-fai, and a lifestyle retail outlet.
In 2015, she inaugurated her venture capital firm, AB Capital, through which she acquired stakes in the Chinese international e-commerce platform Ymatou and the beverage company HeyJuice.
By 2016, Angelababy earned recognition as the youngest individual listed on the Hurun Philanthropy List. Together with Huang Xiaoming, she donated US$2.6 million to a foundation dedicated to assisting university graduates with entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.
During the 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak in Hubei province, the couple contributed CN¥200,000 toward hospital relief efforts.
In 2021, Angelababy invested in Cool Style, an entertainment enterprise established by Media Asia and Louis Koo's One Cool Group. Cool Style specializes in artist management and talent development with substantial resources.
That same year, Angelababy publicly endorsed cotton sourced from Xinjiang following boycotts by several companies over alleged human rights issues.
Film
| Year | English title | Chinese title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Under The Lion Rock Band Cream | 狮子山下菊带霜 | student | ||
| 2007 | Trivial Matters | 破事儿 | Tak Nga | ||
| 2009 | Short of Love | 矮仔多情 | Angel | ||
| G-Force | 超鼠特攻 | Voice-dubbed (Cantonese version) | |||
| 2010 | All's Well, Ends Well 2010 | 花田喜事2010 | Princess Pearl of Flowerland | ||
| Hot Summer Days | 全城热恋 | Xiao Qi | |||
| 2011 | All's Well, Ends Well 2011 | 最強喜事 | Better | Cameo | |
| Tangled | 魔髮奇緣 | Rapunzel | Voice-dubbed (Cantonese version) | ||
| The Founding of a Party | 建党伟业 | Xiao Fengxian | |||
| Love in Space | 全球热恋 | Huang Mudan | |||
| Love You You | 夏日乐悠悠 | Xia Mi | |||
| 2012 | A Simple Life | 桃姐 | Herself | Cameo | |
| First Time | 第一次 | Song Shiqiao | |||
| 'Black & White Episode I: The Dawn of Assault' | '痞子英雄' | 'Fan Ning' | |||
| 'Tai Chi 1: 0' | '太极1：之零开始' | 'Chen Yuniang' | |||
| 'Tai Chi Hero' | '太极2: 英雄崛起' | 'Chen Yuniang' | |||
| 2013' | 'Together' | '在一起' | 'Lin Shengnan' | ||
| 'Crimes of Passion' | '一场风花雪月的事' | 'Yue Yue' | |||
| 'Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon' | '狄仁杰之神都龙王' | 'Yin Ruiji' | |||
| 'Double Cities' | '双城记' | 'Short film' | |||
| 'The Best is Always Here' | '最好的，一直都在' | 'Short film; Cameo' | |||
| 'Who Is Your Dish 2013' | '谁是你的菜2013 ' | 'Princess Le' | 'Short film' | ||
| 2014' | 'Temporary Family' | '失戀急讓' | 'Lui Yuen-ping' | ||
| 'Rise of the Legend' | '黃飛鴻之英雄有夢' | 'Xiao Hua' | |||
| 'Love on the Cloud' | '微爱之渐入佳境' | 'Chen Xi' | |||
| 2015' | 'Running Man' | '奔跑吧！兄弟' | 'Herself' | ||
| 'You Are My Sunshine' | '何以笙簫默' | 'He Yimei' | |||
| 'Bride Wars' | '新娘大作战' | 'He Jing' | |||
| 'Hitman: Agent 47' | '代號47' | 'Diana Burnwood' | |||
| 'Mojin: The Lost Legend' | '鬼吹灯之寻龙诀' | 'Ding Sitian' | |||
| 2016 ' | Kill Time | 谋杀似水年华 | Tian Xiaomai | ||
| Independence Day: Resurgence | 天煞—地球反擊戰2 | Rain Lao | |||
| League of Gods | 封神传奇 | Lan Die | |||
| See You Tomorrow | 摆渡人 | Ah Yu | |||
| Love O2O | 微微一笑很倾城 | Bei Weiwei | |||
| 2019 | The Captain | 中国机长 | Cameo | ||
| 2020 | I Remember | 明天你是否依然爱我 | Zhao Ximan |
Television series
| Year | English title | Chinese title | Character | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Tweet Love Story | 恋爱对白 (恋するセリフ) | Li Zi | |
| 2015 | Love Yunge from the Desert | 大汉情缘之云中歌 | Hou Yunge | |
| 2017 | General and I | 孤芳不自赏 | Bai Pingting | |
| 2018 | Entrepreneurial Age | 创业时代 | Na Lan | |
| 2019 | My True Friend | 我的真朋友 | Cheng Zhenzhen | |
| 2020 | A Murderous Affair in Horizon Tower | 摩天大楼 | Zhong Meibao | |
| 2022 | The Wind Blows From Longxi | 风起陇西 | Liu Ying | |
| 2022 | Love The Way You Are | 爱情应该有的样子 | Yin Yi Ke | |
| 2025 | Everlasting Longing | 相思令 | Jun Qi Luo/Jun Fei Fan | |
| TBA | 漫影寻踪 | Luna | ||
| TBA | 生活在别处的我
太极3:巅峰在望 渴望生活 |
Variety show
| Year | English title | Chinese title | Role | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Beautiful Cooking | 美女廚房 | Contestant | TVB production |
| 2014–2023 | Keep Running | 奔跑吧 | Regular cast member | |
| 2017 | King of Glory | 王者出击 | ||
| 2018 | Clash Bots | 机器人争霸 | ||
| 2019 | Four Try | 潮流合伙人 |
Singles
| Year | English title | Original title | Album | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "Beauty Survivor" | Japanese single release | ||
| "Love Never Stops" | ||||
| "Everyday's A Beautiful Story" | ||||
| 2011 | "Bottom of the Heart" | 海底之心 | Love You You OST | duet with JJ Lin |
| 2012 | "Can We Smile Together" | 都要微笑好吗 | First Time OST | |
| "Say Goodbye" | ||||
| "Happy Together" | collaboration with Aarif Rahman | |||
| 2015 | "Today You Will Marry Me" | 今天你要嫁给我 | Bride Wars OST | featuring Ni Ni, Chen Xiao & Zhu Yawen |
| "Green Skirt" | 绿罗裙 | Love Yunge from the Desert OST | ||
| 2019 | "Snow Flower Poem" | 雪花赋 | Performed at CCTV Spring Festival Gala | |
| "Fly" | 飞 | |||
| "Run for the Dream" | 造亿万吨光芒 | Keep Running theme song | with Li Chen, Zheng Kai, Zhu Yawen, Wang Yanlin, Lucas Wong and Song Yuqi | |
| 2020 | "With You by My Side" | 有你在身边 | ||
| "Fearless" | 无畏的模样 | |||
Awards and nominations
2020 Weibo Awards Ceremony Weibo Goddess Template:NATemplate:Won| Year | Award title | Category | Work nominated for | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Fashion Power Awards | Trendy Public Figure | rowspan=6 Template:NA | Template:Won |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | Best Red Carpet Style | Template:Won | ||
| 2013 | "China's Women Media Awards" | "Breakthrough Female" | "Template:Won" | |
| "Bazaar Jewelry Night" | "Charity Star Award" | "Template:Won" | ||
| "Hong Kong Society of Cinematographers Awards" | "Most Charismatic Actress" | "Template:Won" | ||
| "9th Huading Awards" | "Most Popular Actress Elected by Media" | "Template:Won" | ||
| "13th Chinese Film Media Awards" | "Most Anticipated Actress" | "First Time" | "Template:Won" | |
| "1st China International Film Festival London" | "Best Actress" | "Crimes of Passion" | "Template:Nom" | |
| 2014 | "21st Beijing College Student Film Festival" | "Most Popular Actress" | Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon" | "Template:Won" |
| "14th Chinese Film Media Awards" | "Most Anticipated Actress" | "Template:Nom" | ||
| "3rd iQiyi All-Star Carnival" | "Asian All-Rounded Idol" | "rowspan=5 Template:NA" | "Template:Won" | |
| 2015 | "Weibo Awards Ceremony" | "Weibo Goddess" | "Template:Won" | |
| "Weibo Awards Ceremony" | "Weibo Queen" | "Template:Won" | ||
| "Cosmo Beauty Ceremony" | "Beautiful Idol Award" | "Template:Won" | ||
| "4th iQiyi All-Star Carnival" | "Rising Achievement Award" | "Template:Won" | ||
| 2016 | 19th Huading Awards | Best Actress (Ancient Drama) | Love Yunge from the Desert | Template:Nom |
| 33rd Hundred Flowers Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Mojin: The Lost Legend | Template:Won | |
| 8th Macau International Movie Festival | Best Actress | Kill Time | Template:Nom | |
| Weibo Awards Ceremony | Outstanding Charity Figure | rowspan=8 Template:NA | Template:Won | |
| 2017 | Toutiao Awards | Popular Actress of the Year | Template:Won | |
| Most Commercially Valuable Celebrity | Template:Won | |||
| 2018 | Weibo Award Ceremony | Philanthropy Contribution Award | Template:Won | |
| Hot Search Artist | Template:Won | |||
| 12th Tencent Video Star Awards | VIP Star | Template:Won | ||
| Toutiao Awards | All-Rounded Artist | Template:Won | ||
| 2019 | Hong Kong Society of Cinematographers Awards | Most Charismatic Actress | Template:Won | |
| 6th The Actors of China Award Ceremony | Best Actress (Emerald Category) | 'My True Friend' | Template:Nom | |
| 24th Asian Television Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Template:Nom | ||
| Golden Bud – The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival | Best Actress | Template:Nom | ||
| Cosmo Glam Night | \u4eba\u7269\u65f6\u4ee3 (Person of The Year) (Dream) | \u672a\u6307\u5b9a (NA) | \u83b7\u5f97 (Won) | |
| \u7b2c16\u5c46 Esquire Man at His Best Awards | \u6700\u4f73\u6d41\u884c\u5973\u661f (Most Popular Actress) | \u672a\u6307\u5b9a (NA) | \u83b7\u5f97 (Won) |
Forbes China Celebrity 100
| Year | Position |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 88th |
| 2012 | 100th |
| 2013 | 54th |
| 2014 | 55th |
| 2015 | 12th |
| 2017 | 8th |
| 2019 | 14th |
| 2020 | 16th |
External links
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1989 births
- Living people
- 21st-century Chinese women singers
- 21st-century Hong Kong actresses
- Actresses from Shanghai
- Avex Group talents
- Businesspeople from Shanghai
- Businesspeople in coffee
- Chinese drink industry businesspeople
- Chinese female models
- Chinese film actresses
- Chinese people of German descent
- Chinese television actresses
- Chinese venture capitalists
- Women venture capitalists
- Hong Kong female models
- Hong Kong investors
- Hong Kong philanthropists
- Hong Kong voice actresses
- 21st-century Hong Kong businesswomen
- 21st-century Hong Kong businesspeople
- People with acquired residency of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong people of German descent