Ni Ni
Ni Ni, also known as 倪妮 (pinyin: Ní Nī), is a prominent Chinese actress recognized for her exceptional performances in both film and television. She has gained widespread acclaim for her roles in notable works, solidifying her position as one of the “New Four Dan Actresses” according to Southern Metropolis Daily.
Early Life
Ni Ni was born on August 8, 1988, in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. Her educational background includes graduating from the Communication University of China in Nanjing, where she specialized in television broadcasting and hosting.
Career
Debut in “The Flowers of War”
Ni Ni made her debut in the film industry with a significant role in the renowned director Zhang Yimou’s war film titled “The Flowers of War.” In this movie, she portrayed the character “Yu Mo”, the lead female character. Her performance received widespread acclaim, marking her emergence in the entertainment industry and her ascent to fame.
Versatility in Film
Following her impressive debut, Ni Ni continued to showcase her acting prowess in various film genres:
- Mystery and Romance: She starred in the mystery film “Redemption” alongside actor Liu Ye in 2012 and 2013. Additionally, she played roles in the romance film “Love Will Tear Us Apart” and the road-trip drama film “Up in the Wind.”
- Coming-of-Age: In 2014, Ni Ni took on a significant role in the coming-of-age film “Fleet of Time.”
- Remake: In 2015, she starred alongside Angelababy in the Chinese remake of the popular film “Bride Wars.”
- Fantasy and Comedy: Ni Ni’s versatility shone through as she starred in the Chinese-French fantasy “The Warriors Gate” in 2016 and the romantic comedy film “Suddenly Seventeen” directed by Zhang Yimou’s daughter.
- Fantasy and Action: In 2017, Ni Ni played roles in the fantasy action film “Wu Kong” and the science fiction wuxia film “The Thousand Faces of Dunjia” directed by Tsui Hark.
- Television Drama: In 2018, Ni Ni ventured into television drama with “The Rise of Phoenixes,” alongside actor Chen Kun. She also contributed to the series’ soundtrack with her first single, “Why to No Avail.” Forbes China recognized her in their 30 Under 30 Asia 2017 list, acknowledging her significant impact in the entertainment industry.
- Return to Film: Ni Ni returned to the big screen in 2019 with her role in the crime heist film “Savage.” She also made her theater debut in the play “One One Zero Eight” directed by Stan Lai. The same year, she starred in the fantasy romance drama “Love and Destiny,” which received positive reviews. Her portrayal of a fairy maiden navigating numerous challenges for happiness garnered acclaim.
- Action Thriller: In 2020, Ni Ni starred alongside Andy Lau in the action thriller “Shock Wave 2.” She also returned to television with CCTV-8’s “My Best Friend’s Story,” earning a nomination for the Magnolia Award for Best Actress at the 27th Shanghai Television Festival.
- Recent Works: In 2021, Ni Ni’s notable performance in the romantic-drama film “Yanagawa,” directed by Korean-Chinese filmmaker Zhang Lü, earned her a Best Actress nomination at the 35th Golden Rooster Awards. She was also cast in the drama “Night Wanderer” in the same year.
- Box Office Success: In 2022, Ni Ni made her return to the big screen with “Lost in the Stars,” a mystery crime film alongside Zhu Yilong. The film achieved immense commercial success, grossing over ¥3.524 billion at the box office in China. Ni Ni’s outstanding performance in the film earned her the Golden Deer Award for Best Actress at the 18th Changchun Film Festival.
Endorsements
Ni Ni has an impressive list of endorsements and ambassadorships throughout her career:
- Jaeger-LeCoultre: She has been the Chinese ambassador for Jaeger-LeCoultre since 2011 and later became a global spokesperson for the brand.
- SK-II: In 2013, Ni Ni was named the global ambassador for SK-II.
- Uniqlo: She was selected as the brand ambassador for Uniqlo in China in 2014 and later became a global spokesperson for the brand.
- Tiffany & Co.: Ni Ni served as the official global ambassador of Tiffany & Co. from 2017 to 2019.
- Gucci: Since 2017, she has been the official brand ambassador of Gucci and later became a global ambassador for Gucci’s Eyewear from 2019. In 2022, Ni Ni was announced as the Global Brand Ambassador of Gucci.
- Bobbi Brown Cosmetics: She has been the global ambassador of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics since 2019.
- Cindy Chao The Art Jewel: Ni Ni became a global ambassador of Cindy Chao The Art Jewel in 2021.
- Lancôme: In 2022, French luxury beauty house Lancôme announced Ni Ni as their Global Skincare and Fragrance Ambassador.
Ni Ni’s career continues to flourish, marked by her exceptional talent and numerous achievements in both the entertainment industry and the world of fashion and beauty endorsements.