Tang has appeared on multiple instances in ForbesChina Celebrity 100 list, ranking 72rd in 2008, 70th in 2013,[2] 38th in 2014,[3] and 55th in 2015.[4]
Life and career
1979–2005: Early life and career beginnings
Tang Wei was born on October 7, 1979 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. She is the only child of Tang Yuming, a painter, and Shi Xifeng, who works as a Yue opera actress.[5][6]
From 1992 to 1994, Tang attended school in Shenzhen, Guangdong due to her father's job. She graduated from a vocational school in Hangzhou, where she studied fine arts, in 1996 and worked as a model afterward.[6] Initially aspiring to study acting at the Central Academy of Drama, she failed three times before being admitted to the directing program in 2000 on her fourth attempt.[7] At university, she caught the attention of producer Yuan Hong and Taiwanese stage director Stan Lai, leading her to be cast in a production of the latter's play A Dream Like a Dream, a role she held until she was cast for the film Lust, Caution in 2006.[8]
In 2004, Tang starred in a TV series, Policewoman Swallow (2004) and a stage play, Che Guevara.[9] She also appeared in TV dramas Sons and Daughters of the Red Cross (2004), Leaving Seafront Street (2005), East Meets West (2005), Born in the 60s (2006) and Silent Tears (2006).[10][11][12]
Despite the critical acclaim for her performance, China's State Administration of Radio Film and Television (SARFT) ordered a media ban on Tang because of the sexual nature of her performance. All print ads and feature content using Tang were removed, and her endorsements were discontinued.[18] In August 2008, Tang obtained Hong Kong citizenship through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, which was expected to enable her to work in a relatively censorship-free market.[19] She, however, was replaced by Maggie Q in Tian Zhuangzhuang's big-budget period film The Warrior and the Wolf (2009).[20] In February 2009, during her absence from the show business, Tang briefly attended drama classes at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom.[21]
In September 2010, it was announced that she was to appear in the CCP tribute film The Founding of a Party, playing the role of Tao Yi, an early girlfriend of Mao Zedong. However, her scenes were cut out in the theatrical version, allegedly at the request of Mao Zedong's grandson, Mao Xinyu.[27][28] In December 2011, she dubbed the character of Pia Sahastrabuddhe, originally portrayed by Kareena Kapoor, in the Chinese version of the Bollywood film 3 Idiots (2009).[29]
Tang returned to mainstream cinema with two major films; Speed Angels, a car-racing flick directed by Jingle Ma, and Dragon, a martial arts epic directed by Peter Chan.[30][31] Though Speed Angels was a commercial flop,[32]Dragon was successful and was named the eighth best movie of 2012 according to Time magazine.[33]
Tang was then cast to play writer Xiao Hong in Ann Hui's biopic The Golden Era,[35] which closed at the Venice International Film Festival.[36] Though highly anticipated, the film received mixed reviews and failed at the box office.[37] However, her performance has received high praise from domestic critics.
Tang made her English-language film debut in Blackhat, an action thriller co-starring Chris Hemsworth[38] and Wang Leehom, her co-star in Lust, Caution (2007). She also starred in A Tale of Three Cities, based on the wartime experiences of Jackie Chan's parents.[39] During the shooting of The Tale of Three Cities in Shanghai, Tang fell victim to a telecommunications scam and was swindled out of $34,692 (210,000 yuan).[40][41]
Tang and Wu teamed up again to film the sequel to Finding Mr. Right (2013), titled Book of Love (2016),[42] which was a commercial success.[43] With this film, she was nominated as the Best Actress in Hong Kong Film Awards for the sixth time, setting a record for nominations, but did not win the award in history.
In 2019, Tang returned to the small screen with the historical drama Empress of the Ming. The same year, she starred in the film The Whistleblower directed by Xue Xiaolu.[45]
In 2011, Tang became brand ambassador for Japanese cosmetics brand SK-II.[51] Since 2015, she has been the global brand ambassador of SK-II.[52] In August 2021, Tang became the global face of the SK-II's "My PITERA™ Story" skincare campaign, along with Ni Ni, Ayase Haruka and Chloe Grace Moretz.[53]
In 2013, Tang became the global face of Piaget's rose jewelry collection campaign.[54] Since 2014, she has been selected as global spokesperson for Swiss luxury watch brand Rado.[55]
Since 2021, British makeup and skincare brand Charlotte Tilbury has chosen Tang as its very first global makeup ambassador.[56] In 2022, she was also become the first global brand ambassador for watches and jewelry brand Lola Rose.[57]
Since 2022, Tang has served as a global brand ambassador for Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe.[58] She was the global face that July for Loewe's pre-fall 2022 collection campaign along with Anthony Hopkins, Jessie Buckley, Josh O'Connor, Kaia Gerber and more.[59] In November of that year, Tang was named as the global face of the Loewe's spring/summer 2023 collection campaign along with Taylor Russell, Luca Guadagnino, Naomi Ackie, Chloë Sevigny and more.[60] In January 2023, she became the global face of the Loewe's Year of Rabbit Collection campaign.[61] In August 2023, Tang starred as the global face of the Loewe's Womenswear Fall-Winter 2023 campaign along with Taylor Russell that shot by British fashion photographer David Sims.[62][63]
In May 2023, Chopard, a Swiss brand for luxury watches, jewelry and accessories, announced Tang as its brand ambassador following her attendance at the 76th Cannes Film Festival.[64][65][66] Since September 2023, Chopard had announced Tang as its Global Brand Ambassador.[67][68]
In November 2023, Tang has served as a global brand ambassador for British luxury fashion house Burberry.[69]
Personal life
Tang had four public relationships before her marriage. Her first boyfriend was actor Zhu Yuchen. They met in 1995 as classmates at a vocational school in Hangzhou, and had a relationship between 1997 and 2000. Her second boyfriend was actor Tian Yu. The two met in 2004 while working on Policewoman Swallow (2004) and were in a relationship for three years. Her third boyfriend was Chen Yuli, the son of composer Chen Qigang; he was killed in a car accident on 4 September 2012 in Zurich. Her fourth boyfriend was Hu Jing (Victor Hu), a former talent show contestant and publicist. Hu was a friend of Chen Yuli and organized his memorial service, where he and Tang first met.[70]
In 2014, Tang married South Korean film director Kim Tae-yong in the front yard of the home of Ingmar Bergman on the remote Swedish island of Fårö.[71][72][73] A formal wedding ceremony was later held in Hong Kong, with only immediate family members as guests.[74][75][76] In August 2016, Tang Wei gave birth to their daughter, Summer.[77]
^"萧邦宣布国际著名演员汤唯出任品牌大使， 共同书写华美新篇章" [Chopard Announces Internationally Famous Actor Tang Wei as Brand Ambassador to Write a New Chapter of Magnificence Together]. Xbiao (in Chinese). 22 May 2023. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023.
^"湯唯時尚戰績再添一筆！不只攻佔Loewe廣告看板，瑞士珠寶品牌Chopard也狂愛華人影后！" [Tang Wei’s fashion record adds another achievement! Not only did they occupy Loewe advertising billboards, but Swiss jewelry brand Chopard also fell in love with the Chinese actress!]. Bella Taiwan (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 20 September 2023.
^Han Hyun-jeong (6 May 2022). "박찬욱X박해일X탕웨이 '헤어질 결심' 6월29일 개봉[공식]" [Park Chan-wook X Park Hae-il X Tang Wei 'Decision to break up' opens on June 29 [Official]] (in Korean). Maeil Star Today. Retrieved 6 May 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Jeong-jin (30 September 2022). "'헤어질 결심', 춘사국제영화제서 감독상 등 3관" ['Decision to Leave' wins 3 awards including Best Director at Chunsa International Film Festival] (in Korean). k-odyssey. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
^Kim, Na-ra (6 October 2022). "헤어질 결심' 박해일X탕웨이, 男女주연상→'월드 ★' 이정재, 신인 감독상 수상 [2022 부일영화상](종합)" [Decision to break up' Park Hae-il X Tang Wei, Best Leading Actress → 'World ★' Lee Jung-jae, Rookie Director Award [2022 Buil Film Awards] (Comprehensive)]. My Daily (in Korean). Retrieved 6 October 2022 – via Naver.
^Jang, Min-soo (12 October 2022). "'헤어질 결심', 대종상까지 접수할까...감독상·남녀주연상 등 11개 후보" [11 nominations including Best Director and Best Actor for 'Decision to break up']. MHNS Korea (in Korean). Retrieved 12 October 2022 – via Naver.
^Park, Mi-ae (24 October 2022). "헤어질 결심', 영평상 최우수작품상 선정…공로상 안성기" ['Decision to break up' selected for Best Picture at the Youngpyeong Awards... Achievement Award Ahn Sung-ki] (in Korean). E-Daily. Retrieved 24 October 2022 – via Naver.
^Bae Hyo-joo (25 November 2022). "탕웨이, 박해일 이어 '헤어질 결심'으로 주연상‥"트로피 너무 좋아요"[43회 청룡영화상]" [Tang Wei and Park Hae-il followed by ‘Decision to Break Up’ for Leading Actor… “I love the trophy” [43rd Blue Dragon Film Awards]] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved 25 November 2022 – via Naver.
^"제42회 황금촬영상영화제 시상식 성료...'헤어질 결심' 3관왕" [The 42nd Golden Cinematographer Awards Ceremony Successfully Completed... 'Decision to Break Up' Won 3 Crowns]. Interview365. 20 December 2022. Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim Ji-woo (21 December 2022). "뜨거웠다' 박해일, 박은빈 그리고 손석구" ['It Was Hot' Park Hae-il, Park Eun-bin and Son Seok-gu] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022 – via Naver.
^Yoon, Ki-baek (24 February 2023). "박찬욱 '헤어질 결심', 디렉터스컷 어워즈 5관왕" [Park Chan-wook's 'Decision to Break Up' wins 5 Director's Cut Awards] (in Korean). E-daily. Retrieved 24 February 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim, So-yeon (28 April 2023). "우영우'·'헤어질 결심' 대상, 이변 없었다 [백상예술대상](종합)" [‘Woo Young-woo’ and ‘Decision to break up’ Grand prize, no change [Baeksang Arts Awards] (comprehensive)] (in Korean). Maeil Business star Today. Retrieved 28 April 2023 – via Naver.
