📹260703 #YangZi’s CCTV interview after winning Magnolia Best Actress:
“You often hear actors say you have to step out of your comfort zone, but the way I see it, it’s not about stepping out—it’s about expanding. It’s about widening that comfort zone to see what other possibilities exist.
For instance, when I was a child star, I was limited to playing children’s roles. In my twenties, the natural progression was to act in idol dramas. Now that I’m in my thirties, the roles I take on need to be different from what I’ve done before.
With the role of Bai Ju, I simply feel grateful to have encountered it at the right stage of my life. But I never once thought about using this role or script to engineer a career reinvention—that never crossed my mind.
Sensitivity is crucial for an actor, but in everyday life, it isn’t always comfortable. You find yourself deeply affected—moved to sadness or joy—by people’s words and the looks in their eyes; those emotions really get to you.”
📹 Video of #YangZi congratulating #BornToBeAlive#生命树's director Li Xue when he won 'Best Director' at the 31st Shanghai Television Festival Magnolia Awards
260627 #OdeToJoy Screenwriter Yuan Zidan reposted the bloggers post with her congratulatory message about #YangZi’s Magnolia Awards ‘Best Actress’ win:
“Congratulations to Yang Zi! Watching your journey from the days when you played the young "Xiao Xue" all the way to the present has been remarkable; seeing you moved to tears while accepting your award yesterday was truly touching. These are the tears of joy that only come to those who have given their absolute all. Many may not fully grasp the significance of being nominated for the Magnolia Award four times; it means delivering—on four separate occasions—works of widespread influence that earn the recognition of both peers and audiences—a feat Yang Zi has achieved every single year for the past three years. Her success didn't come from just one role; it is the result of a long, sustained effort that has finally been recognized.” 🥺
#YangZi_MagnoliaAwards
#YangZiBestActress
Time and again, she has had to prove herself: showing that she can handle serious dramas, fantasy epics, xianxia tales, contemporary romances, workplace dramas, major IP adaptations, and slice-of-life stories. She has demonstrated her versatility across every genre imaginable to the audience—essentially proving she can tackle any type of show found on the market.
She even took on roles in supernatural suspense series like “Soul Ferry”. Her decision to cast such a wide net—taking on a multitude of projects—wasn't due to a lack of ability; rather, it was a reflection of market realities. Actresses who rely on solid acting chops rather than fleeting viral fame aren't easily favored by the internet era; to be seen, one has to grit one's teeth and prove one's worth.
In recent times, the prevailing sentiment has been skeptical of hard work, often dismissing it as futile or inefficient; yet, Yang Zi has proven that effort eventually gains recognition. Amidst a turbulent torrent where the good and the bad are swept along together, those who stand firm until the end will see the dawn of victory.
#YangZi_MagnoliaAwards
#YangZiBestActress
260627 Post by a Weibo entertainment commentator on why so many passersby feel deeply moved when #YangZi won the Magnolia Award for Best Actress:
She epitomizes the countless hardworking individuals who must repeatedly prove themselves just to secure the rewards that should have been theirs all along.
Yang Zi was a promising talent—a potential "Qing Yi" (serious mainstream actress) —who found herself at a pivotal moment in time, only to be constrained by the era's prevailing trends. Fortunately, the peak of the internet traffic era coincided with her rise (or rather, the rise of the "post-90s generation" actresses. It is a pity that, just as the industry was enjoying its peak boom, the prevailing market environment did not align with the career trajectory of an actress truly suited for the "Qing Yi" path—roles demanding gravitas and substantial acting prowess.
Even as a child, she could hold her own against veteran actors in sitcoms, delivering an outstanding performance in *Battle of Changsha* at a young age. While many claim that today’s young actresses lack the award-worthy works that defined the stars of the "post-75" and "post-80" generations in their early twenties, Yang Zi had already made a lasting impression in serious drama by the age of 19.
However, after she turned 19, the Chinese entertainment industry entered a phase driven aggressively by the "traffic" (viral popularity) effect. At that point, the debate over whether she should aim for the "Qing Yi" path (serious, acting-focused roles) became secondary; survival—avoiding being discarded by the market—had to come first. Facing this divergent career path, Yang Zi forged ahead, repeatedly proving herself time and again:
Does an actor known for serious acting skills tarnish their reputation by starring in a costume idol drama? Not necessarily. “Ashes of Love” became a benchmark classic in the genre—a genre often plagued by low-quality productions that are beyond saving. Yet, it emerged as a stunning work where the female lead’s acting prowess truly stole the show.
Are contemporary romances considered "fluffier" or less substantial than costume romances? After all, aren't contemporary romances usually just vehicles for up-and-coming stars to burnish their resumes? Yet, “Go Go Squid!” defied this trope; it seamlessly integrated inspirational themes and a fresh, modern backdrop, while the lead actors’ performances imbued the entire series with genuine charm.
Could a story based on such an old IP feel outdated no matter how it’s performed today? Not necessarily—it depends on the actor. The original novel “Lost You Forever” (Chang Xiang Si) is quite old, yet did that hinder the portrayal of the character Xiao Yao?
Can an actor gain a fanbase by starring in a drama with an ensemble cast and an "ordinary" character role? Yes—look at Qiu Yingying. Would the transition from costume idol dramas to grounded historical dramas be jarring? No—look at He Weifang.
When Yang Zi was in her twenties, she faced a market dominated by established A-list actresses in serious dramas and the "post-85 generation" stars anchoring costume idol dramas; meanwhile, the fan culture was overwhelmingly focused on male idols, leaving most actresses born in the 90s to play second-fiddle "supporting roles" merely to prop up male traffic stars.
(…)
📹260628 #ZhangYishan talking about #YangZi’s Magnolia Awards Best Actress win:
“I contacted her as soon as I heard the news to congratulate her. I’ve always said that she is an incredibly talented actress. She is beautiful and works harder than a lot of people, so this honor is truly well-deserved. In fact, she should have received such recognition long ago; it was only a matter of time. I also believe she will continue to excel and garner even more accolades in the future."
“We acted together since we were young and became college classmates - everyone knows how good our relationship is. We have flourished in each of our career paths and have always accompanied and learnt together along the way.”
📹260626 #YangZi’s parents crying in the audience as she mentions them in her Magnolia Awards ‘Best Actress’ speech 😭
“When I was five and first told my parents about my dream of acting, they didn’t extinguish that dream; instead, they stood by me every step of the way.
Over the years, no matter what setbacks, scorn, or hardships I faced, my parents remained steadfastly by my side. They always told me, 'You are the best—you are our daughter.' So today, Mum and Dad, I’ve won this award; your daughter hasn’t let you down.”
#YangZi_MagnoliaAwards
#YangZiBestActress
260628 Congrats to #YangZi’s #BornToBeAlive#生命树 for surpassing 10 billion topic views on Douyin 🎉🎉🎉
Her ninth top-billed drama to reach the 10-billion-view mark! 🥳
#yangzi historic won made entire entertainment industry united to praise her(director,writers,artists),all mainstream media reports her awards with positive views,even the highest government department send their congratulation.The most important is Magnolia retain its reputation
#YangZi's Magnolia win was celebrated far beyond her fandom. Passersby alike joined in the congratulations as 2 Douyin videos surpassed 1M likes and countless others reached hundreds of thousands. A win that truly had public support 🥹
After #yangzi historic won of Best actress, #borntobealive has exceeded 10 billion views on Douyin, making it as her 9th dramas that exceeded 10 billion views,the highest among all artist regardless of gender