Zhang Tian'ai
Zhang Tian'ai | |||||||
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张天爱
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 Zhang at the 2019 Tokyo International Film Festival
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| Born |
28 October 1988 |
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| Alma mater | Beijing Film Academy | ||||||
| Occupations | |||||||
| Years active | 2008–present | ||||||
| Agent | FWS (北京喜天影视文化有限公司) | ||||||
| Relatives | Zhang Yan (brother) | ||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 張天愛 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 张天爱 | ||||||
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Zhang Tian'ai (Chinese: 张天爱; born 28 October 1988), also known by her English name Crystal Zhang, is a Chinese actress and model. She is best known for her breakout role in the 2015 hit web-drama Go Princess Go.
Early life and education
Zhang Tian'ai was born 28 October 1988 in Harbin, Heilongjiang. Zhang attended high school in Japan, majoring in costume design. She then enrolled in the Beijing Film Academy.
Career
2008–2014: Beginnings and rising popularity
In 2008, Zhang was invited by South Korean director Woody Han to star in Korean short film Cherry Blossom alongside Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun. After which, she continued to appear in minor supporting roles whilst working as an advertisement model. Zhang made her official acting debut in the drama The Second Life of My Husband, which aired in 2013.
Zhang first gained attention in 2014 when she acted alongside Sun Honglei in spy drama The Legendary Sniper. She won the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2nd Hengdian Film and TV Festival of China for her performance.
2015–present: Breakout and leading roles
In 2015, Zhang starred in the historical romance web drama Go Princess Go. The low-budget series unexpectedly became a commercial hit, and shot Zhang to fame. Following her fame, Zhang was cast in bigger projects.
In 2016, Zhang starred in the romance film I Belonged to You alongside Deng Chao. The film was a commercial success and earned more than 800 million yuan ($118 million) at the box office.
In 2017, she starred in comedy film Father and Son with Da Peng and Fan Wei, and in fantasy adventure film Legend of the Naga Pearls with Darren Wang. She also featured in the war film The Founding of an Army as Soong Mei-ling, as well as fantasy-mystery film Legend of the Demon Cat directed by Chen Kaige. Zhang was nominated at the Hundred Flowers Award for Best Supporting Actress with her performance as Soong.
In 2018, Zhang starred in the romantic comedy drama The Evolution Of Our Love alongside Zhang Ruoyun. The same year, she starred as the female lead Ying Huanhuan in fantasy-action drama Martial Universe alongside Yang Yang.
In 2019, Zhang starred in the aviation disaster film The Captain as a flight attendant. The same year she starred in the workplace romance drama Crocodile and Plover Bird as an aspiring environmentalist.
In 2020, Zhang appeared in CCTV New Year's Gala for the first time, performing a dance number titled "Quan". She is set to star in the historical film A'mai Joins the Army as the titular character. The same year, she was cast in the wuxia drama Sword Snow Stride written by Wang Juan.
From May 20 to August 5, 2022, Zhang participated in the third season of Sisters Who Make Waves, a Chinese survival reality television show where female celebrities over 30 years old competes to debut in a ten-member girl group. She eventually placed tenth in the finals and debuted in X-Sister.
Filmography
Film
| Year | English title | Chinese title | Role | Notes/Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Cherry Blossom | 落櫻 | Zhang Lina | Short film |
| 2014 | Uncle Victory | 勝利 | Cameo | |
| 2016 | I Belonged to You | 從你的全世界路過 | Yao Ji | |
| 2017 | Father and Son | 父子雄兵 | Liu Wen | |
| The Founding of an Army | 建军大业 | Soong Mei-ling | ||
| Legend of the Naga Pearls | 鮫珠傳 | Hei Yu | ||
| Legend of the Demon Cat | 妖貓傳 | Yu Lian | ||
| Travel Through an Alluring Smile | 穿越笑倾城 | Short film | ||
| 2018 | Miss Puff | 泡芙小姐 | Civil Affairs Bureau' employee | Cameo |
| Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse | 蜘蛛侠：平行宇宙 | Gwen Stacy | Voice-dubbed | |
| 2019 | The Captain | 中国机长 | Huang Jia | |
| 2021 | A'mai Joins the Army | 阿麦从军 | Mai Hui |
Television series
| Year | English title | Chinese title | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The Second Life of My Husband | 老公的春天 | Anhui TV | Guest appearance | |
| Mop Lady's Spring | 抹布女也有春天 | An Di | Jiangsu TV | ||
| 2014 | Strange Coffee | 怪咖啡 | Zhu Liye | Tencent | |
| The Legendary Sniper | 二炮手 | Ling Zhiyu | Dragon TV, Jiangsu TV, Zhejiang TV | ||
| 2015 | Go Princess Go | 太子妃升職記 | Zhang Pengpeng | LeTV | |
| Men | 男人帮·朋友 | Mu Tian | |||
| 2016 | My Fair Lady | 我的朋友陳白露小姐 | Hai Tang | iQiyi | |
| 2018 | The Evolution of Our Love | 爱情进化论 | Ai Ruoman | Dragon TV, Zhejiang TV | |
| Martial Universe | 武动乾坤 | Ying Huanhuan | Dragon TV | ||
| 2019 | Crocodile and Plover Bird | 鳄鱼与牙签鸟 | Li Nan'en | Hunan TV | |
| 2020 | Held in the Lonely Castle | 清平乐 | Chen Xichun | Guest appearance | |
| Together | 在一起 | Nurse | Dragon TV | ||
| TBA | If I Can Never Love You | 如果可以，绝不爱你 | Zhou Ran | ||
| Young and Beautiful | 我的漂亮朋友 | Liu Wenjing | Tencent | ||
| Sword Snow Stride | 雪中悍刀行 | Nangong Pushe |
Television shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Sisters Who Make Waves Season 3 | Contestant | Chinese survival reality show that determined X-Sister members Finished 10th |
Variety show
| Year | English title | Chinese title | Role | Network | Notes/Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Aiya Good Figure | 哎呀好身材 | Cast member | Mango TV |
Discography
| Year | English title | Chinese title | Album | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | "Between Us" | 我们之间 | I Belonged to You | |
| 2020 | "Hand in Hand" | 手足 | Charity song for Coronavirus |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2nd Hengdian Film and TV Festival of China | Best Supporting Actress | The Legendary Sniper | Won | |
| Mobile Video Festival | Charismatic Actress Award | — | Won | ||
| 2016 | 1st Golden Guduo Media Awards | Best Actress | Go Princess Go | Won | |
| Weibo Fans' Choice Popularity Award | Won | ||||
| L'Officiel Fashion Night | Most Talented Actor | — | Won | ||
| Weibo Fan Festival | Powerstar Ranking Person of the Year | — | Won | ||
| 23rd Cosmo Beauty Ceremony | Rising Idol Award | — | Won | ||
| Youku Young Choice Awards | Hot Artist of the Year | — | Won | ||
| 2017 | China Original Literature Billboard Awards | Most Popular Actress | I Belonged to You | Won | |
| Weibo Night Awards | Popular Artist of the Year | — | Won | ||
| 2nd Weibo Movie Awards Ceremony | Most Anticipated Film Goddess | — | Won | ||
| 2018 | 34th Hundred Flowers Awards | Best Supporting Actress | The Founding of an Army | Nominated | |
| 2019 | Weibo Night Awards | Popular Artist of the Year | — | Won | |
| 4th China Quality Television Drama Ceremony | Breakthrough Actress Award (Weekly drama) | Martial Universe | Won | ||
| 6th The Actors of China Award Ceremony | Best Actress (Emerald Category) | Nominated | |||
| 32nd Tokyo International Film Festival Gold Crane Awards |
Most Popular Actress | The Captain | Won | ||
| 16th Esquire Man At His Best Awards | Breakthrough Artist of the Year | — | Won | ||
| 2020 | Weibo Awards Ceremony | Rising Artist of the Year | — | Won |