Zhong Chuxi

Zhong Chuxi (Chinese: 钟楚曦; pinyin: Zhōng Chǔxī; born 18 March 1993), also known professionally as Elaine Zhong, is a Chinese actress renowned for her versatile performances in film and television, transitioning from a background in dance to becoming a prominent figure in Chinese cinema.^[1] Born in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, she began classical Chinese dance training at age three and later attended the Guangdong Dance School from age ten for six years before enrolling in the Shanghai Theatre Academy's Dance School at 17, where she switched to the Acting Department.^[2] Her acting career gained initial traction in 2013 with a supporting role in the television series Obstetrics and Gynecology of Love, marking her entry into the industry.^[3] Chuxi's breakthrough came with her big-screen debut in director Feng Xiaogang's 2017 war drama Youth, where she portrayed a young recruit, earning critical acclaim and winning Best Newcomer awards at both the Beijing College Student Film Festival and the Huading Awards.^[4] She further solidified her reputation with leading roles in films like The Knight of Shadows: Between Yin and Yang (2019), where she played the iconic character Nie Xiaoqian, and the 2018 Berlin International Film Festival's Asian Brilliant Stars Talent Award for her emerging talent.^[5] In recent years, she has starred in acclaimed projects such as the feminist drama Her Story (2024) as Xiao Ye, Begin Again (2024), Born to Run (2024), and the mystery series Judge Dee's Mystery (2024), showcasing her range in contemporary and historical genres.^[1] Additionally, she received the Annual Shining Actress award at the 2024 Weibo Movie Night Awards.^[6] Beyond acting, Zhong has emerged as a fashion icon and brand ambassador, representing luxury labels like L'Oréal Paris and Stuart Weitzman, with her third appearance at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025 highlighting her red-carpet presence and confident style.^[4] She also performed at the 2025 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, amassing over 8.8 million social media followers and establishing herself as one of China's rising stars in entertainment and fashion.^[4]

Early life and education

Early life

Zhong Chuxi was born on March 18, 1993, in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.^[1] From a young age, Zhong displayed an interest in the arts, beginning dance training at three years old.^[7] This passion led to her enrollment at the Guangdong Dance School at age 10 in 2003, where she received six years of intensive Chinese dance instruction.^[8] Standing at 168 cm tall, her early physical grace and discipline in dance laid the foundation for her artistic pursuits.^[1]

Education

Zhong Chuxi enrolled in the Folk Dance Performance Department of the Shanghai Theatre Academy in 2010 at the age of 17, building on her childhood interest in dance.^[2][4] During her studies, she transferred to the Performance Department to pursue acting training alongside her dance foundation.^[9][2] She graduated from the academy in 2014.^[10] At the Shanghai Theatre Academy, Zhong received specialized instruction in Chinese folk dance, emphasizing graceful movements, rhythmic expression, and cultural storytelling techniques that honed her physical discipline and stage presence.^[2][9] This rigorous curriculum, including ensemble rehearsals and performance workshops, played a pivotal role in shaping her early artistic development by integrating bodily control with emotional conveyance essential for performance arts.^[2][3]

Career

Debut and early career

Zhong Chuxi made her professional acting debut in 2013 while studying at the Shanghai Theatre Academy.^[11] Her first role was as Zhao Xiao Man in the television series New Detective, a supporting part that marked her entry into the industry.^[11] In 2014, she continued with minor roles, including Yang Chen Xi in the medical drama Love of Obstetrics and Gynecology on Hunan TV, Chen Chen in Love's M Turn, and Du Jia Jia in Love Is Back.^[11] These early television appearances were primarily supporting characters in urban and romantic genres, providing her initial exposure without leading parts.^[2] Alongside acting, she took on modeling assignments, leveraging her dance training for advertisements and campaigns, though specific early brand endorsements remain limited in public records.^[12] By 2015 and 2016, Zhong's roles remained modest, such as Wei Tuan Er in the historical drama Shang Guan Wan Er and Liu Yan in Life and Death Brothers, both supporting positions that honed her skills in diverse settings from period pieces to contemporary stories.^[11] Transitioning from her background in Chinese folk dance to acting presented initial hurdles, as she adapted to dialogue-heavy performances amid competition in the burgeoning Chinese entertainment scene, yet she persisted with consistent minor work through these foundational years.^[2]

Breakthrough in film

Zhong Chuxi's breakthrough in film came with her lead role as Xiao Suizi in Feng Xiaogang's Youth (2017), where she portrayed a young dancer in a military art troupe during the Cultural Revolution era, navigating themes of idealism, disillusionment, and personal sacrifice among soldiers and performers. The character, who serves as the film's narrator in parts, highlights the emotional toll of societal upheavals on the younger generation, earning Zhong her first major critical acclaim for her nuanced depiction of quiet resilience and vulnerability. Critics praised her performance for capturing the innocence and quiet strength of the era's youth, with Variety noting the ensemble's effective portrayal of "revolutionary song, dance and youthful longings" in a sweeping historical canvas. Released in December 2017, Youth grossed over 1.4 billion yuan (approximately $215 million) at the Chinese box office, becoming one of the year's top earners and significantly elevating Zhong's profile as an emerging talent.^[13][14][15] Building on this momentum, Zhong took on supporting roles in other 2017 projects, including ensemble casts that showcased her range in dramatic narratives, though Youth remained her standout vehicle for critical recognition that year. These early lead and supporting appearances demonstrated her ability to convey complex emotional layers in period settings, solidifying her transition from minor roles to more prominent film work. By 2019, she further boosted her popularity with the role of Nie Xiaoqian, a seductive yet tragic demoness, in the fantasy action film The Knight of Shadows: Between Yin and Yang, directed by Lion Zhang and starring Jackie Chan as the legendary demon hunter Pu Songling. In this adaptation of Pu Songling's classical tales, Zhong's portrayal blended ethereal allure with underlying pathos, drawing from the iconic ghost character in Chinese folklore and contributing to the film's high-energy supernatural elements. The movie earned mixed reviews overall, with Sino-Cinema highlighting its "wholesome and legendary tale" of monster hunts and mysteries, but Zhong's performance was noted for adding emotional depth to the ensemble. With a global box office of about $23 million, predominantly from China where it opened strongly during the Lunar New Year period, the film amplified her visibility in mainstream commercial cinema.^[16][17] These late-2010s roles collectively established Zhong as a versatile film actress capable of handling both intimate historical dramas and large-scale fantasy spectacles, marking her evolution from supporting player to a recognized leading talent in Chinese cinema. Her work in Youth garnered praise for authenticity in evoking personal stories amid national turmoil, while The Knight of Shadows showcased her adaptability to genre-driven blockbusters, helping her secure broader industry attention without relying on typecasting.^[18]

Television roles and recent projects

Zhong Chuxi began expanding her career into television in the late 2010s, marking a shift from her early film work with supporting and leading roles in several Chinese dramas. In 2020, she took on a main role in the romantic series Imperfect Love, portraying a character navigating complex relationships in a modern urban setting. This was followed by supporting appearances in 2022's The Furthest Distance, where she played a key figure in a story of espionage and romance during the 1990s, and Rising With The Wind, a youth drama focusing on personal growth and family dynamics.^[6] Her television presence continued to grow with the 2024 drama series Born to Run, in which she portrayed Cheng Anxin, a mother navigating grief after a tragic accident. In 2024, Zhong secured a lead role in the mystery drama What If..., embodying Gu Ran, a woman unraveling secrets from her past in a narrative blending suspense and emotional depth. That same year, she starred as Chen Jia Hui in the urban romance Begin Again, set against the backdrop of Macau, where her character, an art curator, finds inspiration and love amid life's uncertainties; the series premiered on Mango TV to highlight the region's cultural charm.^[19] She delivered a standout performance as Empress Wu in the historical detective series Judge Dee's Mystery, a modern adaptation of Tang Dynasty tales that aired on Youku and Netflix, earning praise for her portrayal of the powerful ruler.^[20] In 2025, Zhong led the crime suspense drama A Life for a Life as Liu Fen Fang and appeared in Cicada.^[11] Beyond television, Zhong has taken on notable ensemble roles in recent films post-2019, including the time-travel comedy Escape from the 21st Century (2024), where she played Liu Lianzhi, and the critically acclaimed comedy-drama Her Story (2024), in which she starred as the eccentric neighbor Xiao Ye opposite Song Jia, exploring themes of female friendship and resilience; the film became a box office success in China and was released internationally, for which she received critical acclaim.^[21][22] These projects have solidified her versatility across genres. Zhong's rising international profile was evident at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where her elegant red carpet appearances in designs by Elie Saab and Laurence Xu earned her the moniker "China's new red carpet queen" from media outlets, showcasing her growing fashion influence.^[4] She has also served as a brand ambassador for Stuart Weitzman since 2020, featuring in campaigns like the Shine Capsule and Lunar New Year collections that blend luxury footwear with her poised persona.^[23]

Filmography

Film

Zhong Chuxi's film career began in 2017, and her roles span lead and supporting parts in various genres including drama, fantasy, and historical epics. In Youth, she portrays Suizi, a young aspiring dancer in a military art troupe.^[24] In Hey Boys, she plays Guan Xin, a spirited high school student navigating friendships and romance. In Liberation, she depicts Mei Yan, a resilient nurse during wartime. In Adoring, she embodies Fang Xin, a woman reflecting on past relationships. In The Knight of Shadows: Between Yin and Yang, she takes on Nie Xiaoqian, a ghostly figure in a supernatural tale. In Wild Grass, she stars as Li Mai, an independent woman facing personal challenges. In August Never Ends, she portrays Wei Yang, a free-spirited coffee shop owner entangled in emotional bonds.^[25] In 1921, she appears as Li Li Zhuang, a historical figure in the revolutionary narrative. In Formed Police Unit, she plays Ding Hui, a determined police officer in an action drama.^[26] In Escape from the 21st Century, she embodies Liu Lianzhi, a character involved in time-travel intrigue. In Her Story, she depicts Xiao Ye, a vibrant young woman forming unexpected connections.^[21] In the upcoming Seven Saints, she is set to portray Jin Zhi, a key figure in a period drama.

Television series

Zhong Chuxi's television career spans a variety of roles in Chinese dramas, from supporting parts in early series to leading roles in more recent productions.^[11] The following table lists her television series appearances chronologically, including role details and episode counts where applicable:

Awards and nominations

Personal life

Zhong Chuxi's father is an IT professional, and her mother is a program host.^[2] In February 2024, Zhong confirmed her romantic relationship with actor Hou Wenyuan, her co-star in the television series Born to Run, by posting photos on social media.^[29]