Zhang Ziyi

Zhang Ziyi, born Zhang Zi-Yi, on February 9, 1979, is a native of Beijing, China. Her father is an economist and her mother is a kindergarten teacher. Zhang was raised with her older brother in an urban, working-class part of Beijing. Ever since, she was interested in dance and gymnastics. At 11, she started her career in the dance world, by going to a secondary school affiliated with Beijing Dancing College.

Ziyi made her first appearance in a movie in "Rush Hour 2" (2001). She also appeared in movies like "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" and "Memoirs of a Geisha". Zhang was made as a spokesperson for different ads like Maybelline, Tag Heuer watches, 2% (Korean mineral water), Pantene shampoo, Coca-Cola (Asia) and Lenovo Computers.

Because of her beautiful face and sexy body, Zhang Ziyi was named 2nd of the 100 Sexiest Women by FHM Taiwan, issue 2001. She was also named one of the 25 Hottest Stars Under 25 by Teen People Magazine that same year, one of the 25 Hottest Stars Under 25 by Teen People Magazine in 2002, voted in at #100 in FHM's Sexiest 100 Girls of UK edition in June 2002, ranked #91 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World" in 2002, named by Entertainment Weekly in their 'The Must List' in 2005 and listed in People Magazine's '50 Most Beautiful People' List in 2005. Zhang was also ranked one of the '100 Most Beautiful Women in the World' in the July 2005 issue of Harpers & Queen magazine and despite being her first time on the list, she was ranked number 15.

Zhang Ziyi, at her young age, made many accomplishments like being selected by "Southern People Weekly" magazine as 'Chinese Top Ten Leaders of the Younger Generation' in 2005, was listed in "Time Magazines" World's 100 Most Influential People. They called her "China's Gift to Hollywood", was a member of the jury at the 2006 Cannes Festival, is a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics movement and was voted by the Wall Street Journal as one of its "Top 10 Remarkable Women In Asian Business Circles" on November 21, 2006.

Zhing, a 5' 5" tall woman could be quoted as saying, "For Western women, it's much easier to be yourself. If you want to do something, you just go and do it. In an Asian context, women are still much more modest and conservative. I want, through my roles, to express the parts in the hearts of Chinese women that they feel unable to let out." See Zhang Ziyi nude and topless