Zhang Tian'ai (; born 28 October 1988), also known by her English name Crystal Zhang, is a Chinese actress and model. She is best known for her breakout role in the 2015 hit web-drama Go Princess Go.
Early life and education Zhang Tian'ai was born 28 October 1988 in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China. Zhang attended high school in Japan, majoring in costume design. She then enrolled in the Beijing Film Academy.
Career 2008–2014: Beginnings and rising popularity In 2008, Zhang was invited by South Korean director Woody Han to star in Korean short film Cherry Blossom alongside Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun. After which, she continued to appear in minor supporting roles whilst working as an advertisement model. Zhang made her official acting debut in the drama The Second Life of My Husband, which aired in 2013.
Zhang first gained attention in 2014 when she acted alongside Sun Honglei in spy drama The Legendary Sniper. She won the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2nd Hengdian Film and TV Festival of China for her performance.
2015–present: Breakout and leading roles In 2015, Zhang starred in the historical romance web drama Go Princess Go. The low-budget series unexpectedly became a commercial hit, and shot Zhang to fame. Following her fame, Zhang was cast in bigger projects.
In 2016, Zhang starred in the romance film I Belonged to You alongside Deng Chao. The film was a commercial success and earned more than 800 million yuan ($118 million) at the box office.
In 2017, she starred in comedy film Father and Son with Da Peng and Fan Wei, and in fantasy adventure film Legend of the Naga Pearls with Darren Wang. She also featured in the war film The Founding of an Army as Soong Mei-ling, as well as fantasy-mystery film Legend of the Demon Cat directed by Chen Kaige. Zhang was nominated at the Hundred Flowers Award for Best Supporting Actress with her performance as Soong.
In 2018, Zhang starred in the romantic comedy drama The Evolution Of Our Love alongside Zhang Ruoyun. The same year, she starred as the female lead Ying Huanhuan in fantasy-action drama Martial Universe alongside Yang Yang.
In 2019, Zhang starred in the aviation disaster film The Captain as a flight attendant. The same year she starred in the workplace romance drama Crocodile and Plover Bird as an aspiring environmentalist.
In 2020, Zhang appeared in CCTV New Year's Gala for the first time, performing a dance number titled "Quan". She is set to star in the historical film A'mai Joins the Army as the titular character. The same year, she was cast in the wuxia drama Sword Snow Stride written by Wang Juan.
From May 20 to August 5, 2022, Zhang participated in the third season of Sisters Who Make Waves, a Chinese survival reality television show where female celebrities over 30 years old competes to debut in a ten-member girl group. She eventually placed tenth in the finals and debuted in X-Sister.
Filmography Film YearEnglish titleChinese titleRoleNotes/Ref.2009Cherry Blossom Zhang LinaShort film2014Uncle Victory Cameo 2016I Belonged to You Yao Ji2017 Father and Son Liu WenThe Founding of an Army Soong Mei-ling Legend of the Naga Pearls Hei Yu Legend of the Demon Cat Yu Lian Travel Through an Alluring Smile Short film 2018 Miss Puff Civil Affairs Bureau' employeeCameoSpider-Man: Into the Spider-VerseGwen StacyVoice-dubbed 2019 The CaptainHuang Jia 2021A'mai Joins the Army Mai Sui 2026 All The Good Eyes 森中有林 Lian Jie
Television series YearEnglish titleChinese titleRoleNetwork Notes2013The Second Life of My Husband Anhui TV Guest appearanceMop Lady's Spring An Di Jiangsu TV2014Strange Coffee Zhu LiyeTencent The Legendary Sniper Ling Zhiyu Dragon TV, Jiangsu TV, Zhejiang TV 2015Go Princess Go Zhang PengpengLeTV Men Mu Tian 2016My Fair Lady Hai TangiQiyi 2018The Evolution of Our Love Ai Ruoman Dragon TV, Zhejiang TVMartial Universe Ying HuanhuanDragon TV2019 Crocodile and Plover Bird Li Nan'enHunan TV 2020 Held in the Lonely Castle Chen Xichun Guest appearance Together 在一起 Nurse Dragon TVTBA If I Can Never Love You Zhou Ran Youku Young and Beautiful Liu WenjingTencent Sword Snow Stride 雪中悍刀行 Nangong Pushe
Television shows Year Title Role Notes 2022 Sisters Who Make Waves Season 3 Contestant Chinese survival reality show that determined X-Sister membersFinished 10th
Variety show YearEnglish titleChinese titleRoleNetworkNotes/Ref.2019Aiya Good FigureCast memberMango TV
Discography Year English title Chinese title Album Notes 2016 "Between Us" I Belonged to You OST2020 "Hand in Hand" 手足 Charity song for Coronavirus
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref. 2015 2nd Hengdian Film and TV Festival of China Best Supporting Actress The Legendary Sniper Mobile Video Festival Charismatic Actress Award 2016 1st Golden Guduo Media Awards Best Actress Go Princess Go Weibo Fans' Choice Popularity Award L'Officiel Fashion Night Most Talented Actor Weibo Fan Festival Powerstar Ranking Person of the Year 23rd Cosmo Beauty CeremonyRising Idol Award Youku Young Choice Awards Hot Artist of the Year 2017 China Original Literature Billboard AwardsMost Popular ActressI Belonged to You Weibo Night AwardsPopular Artist of the Year 2nd Weibo Movie Awards CeremonyMost Anticipated Film Goddess 201834th Hundred Flowers Awards Best Supporting ActressThe Founding of an Army2019Weibo Night AwardsPopular Artist of the Year 4th China Quality Television Drama CeremonyBreakthrough Actress Award (Weekly drama) Martial Universe 6th The Actors of China Award Ceremony Best Actress (Emerald Category)32nd Tokyo International Film Festival Gold Crane Awards Most Popular ActressThe Captain 16th Esquire Man At His Best Awards Breakthrough Artist of the Year 2020 Weibo Awards CeremonyRising Artist of the Year
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