She’s an award-winning actress, director, model, wife, mum to her little girl April, and she has a heart of gold. It’s no wonder the uber talented, multi-hyphenate Vicki Zhao is our mum crush of the week!
Most of us would have first seen and known Vicki through her role as Xiao Yan Zi in the hit Chinese drama series, My Fair Princess, more than a decade ago, alongside fellow superstar actresses Ruby Lin and Fan Bingbing.
She has gone on to star in major films, winning numerous awards not only for her acting but also for a number of her recorded singles. In fact, she was even MTV Asia’s Favourite Artist from Mainland China at one point in time.
In 2013, Vicki added director to her long list of achievements with her directorial debut, So Young, which became a huge box office hit, earning US$118 million and becoming the fifth highest-grossing film in Chinese box office history of its time. In recognition of her many achievements in the television and film industry, she has been appointed to the sit on the jury of a number of film festivals, including the 73rd Venice Film Festival this year.
She’s also a shrewd businesswoman. Forbes estimates that she and her husband, businessman Huang Youlong, have a net worth of over US$1billion, thanks to their investments in real estate, a French winery and a Singapore jewellery retailer. Her most lucrative investment to date though is her purchase of a stake in Alibaba Pictures, owned by her good friend Jack Ma.
Despite her busy schedule, Vicki makes it a point to give back to society and over the years, she has dedicated her time to helping and raising awareness for the underprivileged and the environment. The many charitable causes she has participated in include China Youth Foundation’s Hope Project, the United Nations Children’s Fund and China Red Cross. She was also recently appointed the National Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China.
As a public figure, you know when you’ve made it when you have your own wax figure at Madame Tussaud’s. And Vicki doesn’t just have one, she has two — in Shanghai and Chongqing.
Of course, the gorgeous Vicki looks good in practically anything.
Be it in an outfit fit for the boardroom.
Attending a fashion show dressed head to toe in prints.
In a nude, off-shoulder dress for a shoot.
Wearing this red piece that we’re sure half of us would not be able to pull off.
Or even full, floor length formal gowns.
Her little one, April, definitely has a wonderful role model to look up to!
For our previous mum crush, click here.
