Old behind-the-scenes photos of Zhao Wei from Stephen Chow’s 2001 film Shaolin Soccer have resurfaced on social media, stunning netizens with her extreme “ugly” makeover.
Though Zhao Wei has long withdrawn from the entertainment industry, the images quickly went viral, sparking conversations about her dedication to acting and her willingness to sacrifice beauty for a role.
After massive success with My Fair Princess and Romance in the Rain, Zhao Wei was invited by Stephen Chow to star in Shaolin Soccer. She accepted the role without even reading the script, trusting the director’s vision.
However, once on set, she was shocked to learn that her character a martial arts master named A Mai would undergo three levels of unattractive transformations: a pimple-covered steamed bun vendor, a rural girl with garish makeup, and a bald-headed soccer player.
According to production accounts, Zhao Wei initially asked to change roles, but Stephen Chow scolded her harshly for her unprofessional attitude.
“She cried on set twice,” one crew member recalled, “but her pride made her finish the role with full effort.”
Her determination paid off Shaolin Soccer became a box office sensation, and her comical yet touching portrayal of A Mai earned praise for its sincerity. Still, not everyone approved: celebrated author Qiong Yao, who had launched Zhao Wei’s early career, reportedly criticized the role for “ruining her pure and beautiful image.”
Zhao Wei rose to superstardom in the late 1990s as Xiao Yanzi in My Fair Princess, capturing hearts across Asia. She later starred in acclaimed dramas like Romance in the Rain, Painted Skin 1 & 2, Mulan, and Dearest, cementing her status as one of China’s “Four Great Actresses”.
In 2015, Zhao Wei reinvented herself as a successful investor and film producer, even earning the nickname “stock market billionaire.” But her fortunes changed dramatically following a string of financial and legal scandals, including accusations of market manipulation and fraud through shell companies.
Her assets were subsequently frozen, and she was banned from trading securities. Most of her works including her directorial projects and hit dramas were removed from major Chinese streaming platforms, effectively blacklisting her from the industry.
The most recent asset freeze order is widely seen as the final blow to any hopes of Zhao Wei returning to entertainment.
Despite the controversies, fans continue to revisit her earlier performances, reminding the public of the actress who once dared to shave her head and challenge her own vanity a testament to how far she was willing to go for her craft.
Sources: Weibo,Sina
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