Checking In With Hummer Zhang aka A Li from Three Lives Three Worlds

I feel that a lot of us may have had the same idea after seeing the new A Li in Three Lives Three Worlds: The Pillow Book. With a few reprisals and replacements in this new adaptation, it slipped my mind that Hummer Zhang Yihan, the child actor who played A Li when he was just 5 years old, would likely be replaced. 

He was too adorable as Tuan Zi and had great chemistry with onscreen parents Mark Chao and Yang Mi. It probably didn't make sense to bring him back now that he's a few inches taller though he'll always be a fan favorite.

He's still a kid only turning 9 this year and quite generous about sharing updates on social media. Having more acting experience than most. I look forward to his future works.

Source: 1

Zhao Liying first among Vlinkage's top 100 celebs for 3 years straight

There's one more report to add to the year-ender lists from last year. Vlinkage has unveiled their top 100 celebrities for 2018 and it's a list dominated by the ladies. Zhao Liying takes the top spot once again, her third year in a row. Yang Mi and Dilraba Dilmurat who take second and third place were also among the top 3 bankable stars named by CBN Weekly. Did your favorite star make the list? 

Top 10

1. Zhao Liying

2. Yang Mi

3. Dilraba Dilmurat

4. Yang Yang

5. Hu Ge

6. Yang Zi

7. Zhu Yilong

8. Karry Wang Junkai

9. Tiffany Tang Yan

10. Luhan

Source: 1

Yang Mi is CBN Weekly's top bankable Chinese star in 2018

1. Yang Mi

Chinese business magazine CBN Weekly has released their list of top 100 bankable stars for 2018. Compared to last year, this year sees Yang Mi moving from 3rd to 1st. Kris Wu and Dilraba Dilmurat come in 2nd and 3rd while Luhan who was last year's top placer was bumped down to 10th. Karry Wang is the youngest in the top 5 at nineteen years old. 

2. Kris Wu

One new entry that stood out to me is Nine Percent member Cai Xukun who rose to stardom after winning the most votes in the hit reality show Idol Producer early this year. He skyrockets to 20th place for his first time making the list. Lay Zhang who was the nation's producer in the same show is in 5th. 

3. Dilraba Dilmurat

See complete list here. It's amusing that the article literally states most celebrities probably wouldn't want to be near the top, clearly alluding to the crackdown on tax evasion that resulted in Fan Bingbing's fall from grace. She is noticeably absent from the top 100 despite previously ranking among the top 5. 

1. Yang Mi 

2. Kris Wu 

3. Dilraba Dilmurat 

4. Lay Zhang Yixing 

5. Karry Wang 

6. Yang Yang 

7. Zhou Dongyu 

8. Jackson Yee 

9. William Chan 

10. Luhan 

11. Li Yifeng 

12. Liu Tao 

13. Zhao Liying 

14. Roy Wang 

15. Liu Haoran

Source: 1

Yang Mi's Net Worth Still High Despite Divorce

On the night of Dec. 22, power couple Yang Mi and Hawick Lau announced their divorce through a statement from Jaywalk Studio. In the 2017 Forbes China Celebrity List, both Yang Mi and Hawick Lau made it to the top 100.  Yang Mi was the third highest with a revenue reaching 200 million yuan, while Hawick Lau ranked 76th with a revenue of  75 million yuan.  The couple had a combined annual income of 275 million yuan.  

Aside from being a famous and bankable actress with multiple drama series & movies to her name, Yang Mi is also a well-known shareholder of Jaywalk Studio, a company engaged in television, production, planning, distribution and talent promotions. Based on details from Tianyacha, she also has 8 other companies under her name including Shanghai Yang Mi Film & Television Studio and Shanghai Yang Mi Cultural Media Center.  Out of these, 2 have closed, 4 have Yang Mi as their legal representative while she's an executive in 6 of them.

Jaywalk Studio may have suffered setbacks in the past year, but it remains to be a talent driven company. In October, Jaywalk officially established Jaywalk Newjoy, a subsidiary focused on grooming idols starting with 25 new artists. Dilraba Dilmurat, also managed by Jaywalk Studio, has grown her career by leaps and bounds, reportedly bringing in earnings over a 100 million and ranking among the top product endorsers in 2017. Talent management fees make up almost half of the company's earnings. 

The monetary consequences of Yang Mi's divorce remain to be seen but suffice to say, it looks like Yang Mi will be able to hold her own in the foreseeable future. She has the brains and the beauty to ensure her staying power in both the silver screen and business.

Source: 1 2 3

Yang Mi and Hawick Lau announce divorce through Jaywalk Studio

Yang Mi and Hawick Lau got married on January 8, 2014 in Bali. They welcomed the arrival of their baby girl in June of the same year. After five years of marriage and many speculations that the two have split, they made a joint announcement today through a statement issued by Jaywalk Studio.  

To friends who care for Hawick Lau and Yang Mi: 

Thank you for your continued support and love towards Jaywalk Studio artists Hawick Lau and Yang Mi. After careful consideration from both parties, they have decided to relay this message through the studio: The two have filed for divorce this year, separating amicably to end their relationship as a married couple.

Their decision is a decision made out of mutual respect and after communicating with each other. Even though they are no longer living together as husband and wife, they will be jointly caring for their child as family and wishing each other well as friends. 

For using the media for their personal affairs and for the trouble they've caused, the two artists give their sincerest apologies. At the same time, to protect their child and each other's families, they will no longer make any comment on the matter. Requesting the media and the public to respect their wishes and give them space.

Once again, thank you for everyone's concern, help and love, the two will continue to work hard and live earnestly, thank you!

Source: 1

Deng Chao's legendary selfie and more from recent events in C-ent

Sorry for being MIA, between people getting sick and getting busy (one of us has finals!).. let's just say it's been hectic. 

December is a busy time for c-ent too as it squeezes in the last remaining events and awards shows for the year. That usually means non-stop parties and plenty of eye candy to go around. Interestingly, my favorite picture is not from the red carpet but one taken by Deng Chao backstage at the 17th Huabiao Awards last Saturday. 

This moment is the money shot right there for the sheer star power packed into one picture. It reminds me of Ellen DeGeneres' Oscar selfie and who better to make it happen than Deng Chao. From left to right: Jiang Shuying, Yang Yang, Guo Jingming, Luhan, Tang Yan, Yang Mi, Zhou Dongyu, Chen He and Deng Chao. 

After Luhan and Kris Wu's epic reunion during iQiYi Scream Night, the two were spotted together again backstage. 

Deng Chao shared a few more pictures from the event. He reunited with Huang Xiaoming and Tong Dawei. The three starred in the 2013 Chinese film American Dreams in China. 

A photo with the big wigs of Chinese film industry: Jiang Wen, Zhou Xun, Deng Chao, Chen Kun and Xu Zheng (bottom right). 

With all the fully-suited men and ladies in beautiful growns strutting down the red carpet, a topic that started trending on weibo the other day was whether women really don't get cold. Yang Mi wore a playful patterned gown to the 15th MAHB Awards. Fans worried that she'd be freezing. 

Source: 1, 2

Yang Mi becomes the third person to reach 100 million fans on weibo

After Happy Camp TV hosts Xie Na and He Jiong, Yang Mi is the third person in the world to reach 100 million fans on weibo. She's been on weibo since 2009 and has been acting way before that. Having a long career does not translate to popularity, but it does help in building a strong fanbase. In fact, many of the celebrities close to hitting 100m include Chen Kun, Zhao Wei, Yao Chen and Ruby Lin, all of whom have been in the industry for many years whereas newer actresses like Dilireba are at 57m followers.

With her dramas often turning into hits, it's not surprising to see Yang Mi crossing over to the 100 million club. In true Yang Mi style, she shared her trademark selfies that cover up part of her face as a thank you to her fans. Her studio shared the behind-the-scenes shots. 

As for who's next in line, Angelababy is currently the closest contender with 98,254,077 followers on weibo.  

Source: 1

Zhang Yixing, Yang Mi and Song Joong Ki front row at TKY Valentino

The Valentino PRE FALL 2019 Fashion Show was held last night in Tokyo, and the celebs occupying the front row seats are taking all the attention as it brings together three big stars - Zhang Yixing, Yang Mi and Song Joong Ki. It doesn't seem like they'd know each other well with Yixing being a k-pop idol turned actor, singer, dancer and Yang Mi and Song Joong Ki having achieved international stardom as actors from China and Korea respectively. I'm a sucker for random encounters like these though. 

Zhang Yixing is also a brand ambassador for Valentino. His studio has dropped some Yixing focused shots from the front row. 

Source: 1, 2