Michelle Ye or Ye Xuan (born 14 February 1980) is a Chinese actress and producer. She is best known for her roles in Eternal Happiness, Triumph in the Skies, and Lost in the Chamber of Love. Her most notable role was in the 2009 film Accident, in which she won the 2010 Hong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.[1]
Apart from her acting career, she is the owner and chairman of the production company Michelle Ye Studios-Zhejiang Bohai Television Ltd, the owner of a sushi restaurant, and the vice-president of the Hengdian Film Association.
Early life
Michelle Ye was born in Hangzhou, China. She was named after her mother's favorite actress Zhou Xuan. Ye's mother was a housewife and her father a lawyer. Her father was constantly on business travel, thus leaving Ye to be cared for by her mother solely. When Ye was seven years old, her father moved overseas and only returned home for a total number of weeks within a year.[clarification needed] Ye's parents divorced when she was nine years old. Her mother no longer wanted to care for her and instead wanted Ye's father to know what it was like to take care of their child.[2]
Ye then lived with her paternal grandparents. Her grandparents were retired professors who lived in a professor's hostel in the university. Her grandfather was very strict with her academics, and under his guidance, her academic results were good. She was involved in a lot of school activities.[3]
At the age of 10, her father brought her grandparents and Ye to New York City. Her grandparents could not acclimate to the new environment and returned to China. Her father was still busy with his career, and at the age of 13, Ye asked to move out. Her father agreed and let her rent an apartment. Every month she would go to her father's company for spending money, and was otherwise self-sufficient. To earn extra money, she lied about her age to work in a video rental store, from where she rented many series and movies, sparking her interest in the entertainment business.[4]
She was influenced by her stepmother to enter the 1998 Miss Greater Chinatown NYC beauty pageant. She was 2nd runner up, but the winner resigned and the 1st runner up declined the title.[6] She accepted the title and competed in Hong Kong for the Miss Chinese International 1999 competition on her birthday and won.[7] After the competition, she went back and finished her first year of college, but subsequently opted to terminate her studies and sign a contract with TVB.
Entertainment career
In July 1999, she signed a contract with TVB. She starred in several series and eventually earned "Fa Dan" status.
After Jessica Hsuan was unable to film World's Finest, Hsuan recommended Ye to take the role of Hai Tang. Director Wong Jing offered Ye a contract with Rich & Famous Talent Management Group.[citation needed] Ye's contract with TVB ended in June 2005, and she signed the contract with Rich & Famous Talent Management Group a month later. In 2008, Ye renewed her contract with Rich & Famous Talent Management Group. She won the 2010 Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress.
Other projects
Ye published an autobiography titled Shang Shan Ruo Shui - Xuan Gong Lue in July 2006.
In 2011, Ye established her own production company (Michelle Ye Studios-Zhejiang Bohai Television Ltd) and has produced and starred in three series thus far, Ninth Widow, Athena, and Purple Hairpin. However, Ye has not ruled out a return to TVB, after revealing she invited by several producers.[8] In 2012, Ye was voted Vice President of the Hengdian Film Association, and opened a sushi restaurant in Hengdian.
Michelle Ye was originally 2nd runner up at the 1998 pageant, but the winner and 1st runner up did not want to compete in Hong Kong. She took over the crown and title. She later on represented New York at Miss Chinese International 1999 where she won.[13]
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