Michelle Chen Yanxi, born Chen Mei-hsuan, is a Taiwanese actress and singer. Chen rose to fame for her role in the 2011 film You Are the Apple of My Eye, which broke box office records for Taiwanese films in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Her other notable works include films Hear Me (2009), Badges of Fury (2013), Pali Road (2015), as well as TV series The Romance of the Condor Heroes (2014), Teresa Teng (2024), and Sniper Butterfly (2025).
Early life and education Chen was born and raised in Taipei. She has an older sister. After middle school, she attended the college-preparatory school Southwestern Academy in San Marino, California. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in business administration in 2005.
In 2006, while visiting family in Taiwan, Chen caught the eye of producer and manager Angie Chai (). Chen wanted to break into music at the time, but due to the slow growth of the industry, was persuaded instead by Chai to start her career in acting.
Career Chen signed a contract with the company Comic Dialogue Theme by Angie Chai. Initially she wanted to be a singer, but the company wanted her to try to advance in the field of cinema. She therefore played supporting roles in several films and television series and caught attention for her lovely and cute looks, but did not leave much impression.
In 2009, she starred in the movie Hear Me as a swimming athlete with hearing disabilities. Her acting captured people's hearts and helped her clinch the nomination for the "Best New Actress Award" at the 46th Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards.
In 2011, after seeing success with her debut film Hear Me, Chen starred in the hit Taiwanese film You Are the Apple of My Eye (2011). The film was written and directed by Giddens Ko, produced by Angie as executive, and based on Ko's novel. In the film, Chen plays the role of Shen Chia-yi. The film broke records at the box office, becoming the 4th highest grossing domestic Taiwanese film. In the film's soundtrack, she also wrote and sang the song Haiziqi (孩子氣). For her performance in the film, Chen was also nominated for a "Best Actress" award at the 46th Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards.
In 2013, due to the success of You Are the Apple of My Eye, Michelle Chen was cast in the lead role of the film Badges of Fury starring Jet Li, Donnie Yen and Simon Yam. In May 2013, Chen released her debut album Me, Myself, and I. Including some self-composed songs, the album received an average response from critics and music listeners.
In 2014, after termination of the contract with the company Comic Voice Tri in 2012, Chen was cast as Xiaolongnü in The Romance of the Condor Heroes. Her casting announcement was met with widespread opposition from the public, with criticisms leveled at her appearance, which is not as light and angelic as the description of Xiaolongnu in the book.
In 2015, Michelle Chen starred in two new series. In the movie Young For You, she played the role of Qiu Zi. In the TV series The Legend of Qin, she portrayed Rong Duanmu.
In 2016, she starred in Pali Road, where she played the role of Lily with actor Jackson Rathbone. The movie, filmed and set in Hawaii, United States.
Personal life Chen's first boyfriend after entering the entertainment industry was a man by the name of Aron. Both had studied in the U.S. and returned to Taiwan in 2006. After a relationship of 1 year and 4 months, they broke up during Christmas the following year. Aron was later sentenced to 16 years for marijuana trafficking. Chen's single Sorry was written in memory of this relationship.
In 2010, Chen dated Alan Ko for eight months.
In 2015, Chen began dating her The Romance of the Condor Heroes co-star Chen Xiao. On July 5, 2016, they registered their marriage in the city of Beijing and held a wedding ceremony on July 19 at Yanqi Lake (雁栖湖) in Huairou, Beijing. They held the guining banquet (bridal visit to parents) in Chen's hometown of Taipei on July 21, 2016. Chen gave birth to their son in 2016, named Chen Muchen (陈睦辰). On 18 February 2025, the two announced that they were divorced.
Filmography
Film YearEnglish titleOriginal titleRoleNotes2009Hear Me 聽說Lin Hsiao-pengEgo's Mask 2011Tempest of First Love 初戀風暴Chuang Kai-en You Are the Apple of My Eye 那些年，我們一起追的女孩Shen Chia-yi2012The Soul of Bread 愛的麵包魂Chiu Hsiao-pingRipples of Desire 花漾Bai Xiaoxue2013Together 在一起JojoBadges of Fury 不二神探Angela 2014Lock Me Up, Tie Him Down 完美假妻168 ReportercameoUrban Games 城市游戏Dai RuiCafé. Waiting. Love 等一個人咖啡customercameo201512 Golden Ducks 12金鴨Suk-funcameoThis Is Me 年少轻狂Qiu YingziGo Lala Go 2 杜拉拉II:追婚记 Carriecameo2016Run for Love 奔爱LilySegment: "Artificial Sunlight" (人造阳光)Scandal Maker 外公芳龄38Tang Hui Ru Morning, Paris! 巴黎早安 Chantel Pali Road夏威夷之恋 Lily Zhang2018 The Shadow Play 风中有朵雨做的云Lian Ah-yun2021 A Trip With Your Wife 跟你老婆去旅行Xiao Yi
Television series Year English title Original title Role Notes2007Why Why Love 換換愛Jiang Xiao-nan 2008Wish to See You Again 這裡發現愛Pan Neng-xian Miss No Good 不良笑花Jiang Mi 2010Drunken Red Dust 醉紅塵Lei Jin-yi Channel-X 國民英雄Lo Shan-shan 2011Moment in Macau 鏡海風雲Ni Jing-ya Remember, About Us 記得，我們有約Jiang Mu-yunLin Bei 珍愛林北Lin Hsiao-ni 2014The Romance of the Condor Heroes 神鵰俠侶Xiaolongnü 2015The Legend of Qin 秦時明月Duanmu Rong2016City Still Believe in Love 北上广依然相信爱情Huang Yiran 2021Got Old Recently 大妈的世界Sheng Qianshi 2023Warm and Sweet 温暖的甜蜜的Qi Jiayi Teresa Teng 但愿人长久Teresa Teng 2025Sniper Butterfly狙击蝴蝶Jin Cen
Variety show 2011–12 Miss Traveler (WOMAN愛旅行) on Chinese Television System — co-host (3 episodes) 2015 Yes! Coach (报告！教练) on Dragon Television — reality show contestant
Discography
Studio albums
Other songs All songs are in Mandarin. SongLyricsMusicNotes"Gong Xin Ji" Owodog, 小色, Michelle ChenLee Tzu-nungincluded in Lollipop F's album Four Dimensions"Hai Zi Qi" Michelle Cheninsert song of You Are the Apple of My Eye"Piao Liu Ping" Lee Hsuan-Leincluded in Ko Chen-tung's album Be Yourself"Ai De Mian Bao" Michelle ChenSkot Suyamatheme song of The Soul of Bread"Ni Shou Zhong De Jiang Hu" Frantheme song of the mobile game San Jian Hao"Ni Wo" Yu ZhengTan Xuantheme song of The Romance of the Condor Heroes"Ai Ru Chu Jian" Chen XiDong Dongdongtheme song of the mobile game Shen Diao Xia Lü"Hua La La" Michelle ChenHe Liangtheme song of This Is Me
Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominated work Notes 2009 46th Golden Horse Awards Best New PerformerHear Me 2011 48th Golden Horse Awards Best Leading Actress You Are the Apple of My Eye2012 New York Asian Film Festival Asia Rising Star 6th Asian Film Awards Best Actress You Are the Apple of My Eye Favorite Actress Changchun Film Festival Best Actress Chinese Film Media Awards Favorite Performance Favorite Actress LeTV Awards Most Influential Movie Actress Chinese Music Awards Best Movie Actress 2015 17th Huading Awards Best Actress (ancient drama) The Romance of the Condor Heroes2016 19th Huading Awards Best Actress (ancient drama) The Legend of Qin 20192nd Cultural and Entertainment Industry Congress Best Supporting Actress (Film)The Shadow Play
References
External links
Michelle Chen on Sina Weibo Michelle Chen on Facebook Michelle Chen on Instagram