Chinese actress Vicki Zhao has shifted her focus from acting to working behind the camera, pursuing roles as a director, producer, and scriptwriter. The 50-year-old, widely recognized for her role as Xiaoyanzi in the period drama "My Fair Princess" (1998-1999), appeared on October 20 at the Kimrobimson hair salon in Takashimaya Shopping Centre following a private fashion show dedicated to the couture archive of Australian hairstylist Kim Robinson, a longtime friend.
At the event, Zhao was joined by Singaporean actor Li Nanxing and other local talents under his management agency, LNX Global, including Vivian Lai, Constance Song, Luo Kemin, and Shane Pow. During a group interview, Zhao was asked if she missed acting. She responded in Mandarin that reruns of her shows remain widely available, indicating she does not feel a strong pull to return to the screen. She emphasized her preference for behind-the-scenes work, citing the stresses of acting and the pressure on performers. She added with a smile that being behind the camera spares her from dieting.
Zhao’s directorial credits include the commercially and critically successful drama film "So Young" (2013), as well as several short films such as "Age Perfect" (2019) and "Ocean" (2020). She also served as executive producer for the Chinese drama "Hear Her" (2020-2021). Her most recent acting credits are the comedy "Two Tigers" and the animated film "No.7 Cherry Lane," both released in 2019.
Since 2021, Zhao has reportedly been blacklisted by Chinese authorities for undisclosed reasons, with her content removed from Chinese internet platforms. She declined to comment on this issue when asked.
Reflecting on her current life, Zhao described herself as “quite happy” and spoke about how the COVID-19 pandemic prompted many to slow down and reconsider priorities. She noted that despite the difficulties, the period allowed people to engage in activities they had previously postponed, such as spending time alone, traveling, or learning new skills like cooking. Zhao said she tries to accept whatever happens and find richness in life regardless of circumstances.
Currently, Zhao is involved in writing scripts and utilizing artificial intelligence to create films and television projects. She has developed a passion for traveling, visiting regions she had only briefly encountered during her acting career, including Yunnan, Tibet, Xinjiang, and Nepal.
Zhao has close ties to Singapore, having lived there for over a decade. She was reported to be a Singapore permanent resident during her marriage to China-born Singaporean businessman Huang Youlong, which lasted from 2008 to 2021. The couple share a 16-year-old daughter, April, who reportedly shows little interest in Zhao’s earlier work.
On parenting, Zhao described herself as a relatively submissive figure, prioritizing her daughter’s opinions and promoting peaceful coexistence within the family. Asked about her current perspective on life’s “golden age,” Zhao stated she focuses on the present, saying the past is gone and the future uncertain, and therefore cherishes the present moment above all.