The rise of mainland beauty pageant champions, the struggle history of 6 beauties
In the 80s of the 20th century, the spring breeze of China's reform and opening up blew across the country, and the mainland also set off a beauty pageant craze. The social atmosphere that was originally deeply shackled by ideology began to open up, and people began to pay attention to appearance and temperament, and beauty pageants sprung up like mushrooms after a rain.
In this context, many girls from ordinary families signed up for provincial and municipal beauty contests, hoping to change their life destiny and realize the gorgeous transformation from white-clothed people to entertainers and stars.
Zhang Yan is such a Shaanxi girl with a dream. At the age of 17, she left home to study modern dance at Xi Guangdong Dance School. The peaceful life made waves with the encouragement of her classmates - she signed up for the beauty pageant held by Guangzhou TV Station, although she only won the runner-up, but because of her 172 cm tall figure and outstanding temperament, she attracted the attention of the entertainment industry.
Two years later, Zhang Yan passed TVB's mainland artist selection and became a pioneer in joining TVB, officially opening the road to the screen.
In 1995, Yang Gongru represented Shanghai in the Miss Asia contest held by ATV, and stood out among many beauties and won the championship. After the game, she joined ATV and quickly made a name for herself on TV screens.
At the same time, international students Zhang Meng and Ye Xuan also defeated the heroes in the two major international competitions of Miss Universe and Miss International Chinese respectively, and became famous.
In the 21st century, mainland beauty pageants began to shine on the world stage. In 2007, Zhang Zilin, who was originally a professional track and field athlete, gave up her sports career and changed her face to become a professional model.
She won the championship in the Miss World contest and achieved the first breakthrough for a Chinese contestant. Five years later, Heilongjiang girl Yu Wenxia won the bid relay, once again proving that there is no shortage of talented and beautiful beauties in the mainland.
These 6 beauties are leading the way, some rely on professional training, some rely on congenital conditions, and some hone their strength by studying abroad. But they all have a persistent pursuit of their dreams and stand out from many competitors.
It is this incomparably determined spirit that supports them to glory, and also inspires those who come after them to continue to chase their dreams and let themselves fly on the road of art.
Zhang Yan: The dance dream is incarnated on the screen
Zhang Yan, this name is ordinary and simple, but it contains an extraordinary story.
In the 80s, Guangdong was a pioneer region for ideological emancipation and a hot spot for literary and artistic innovation. Zhang Yan, who was in the prime of his youth, left his hometown of Shaanxi and came here to learn modern dance Xi, hoping to show his talent on the road of dance.
The jumping figure and the swirling skirt show the youthful heart with infinite enthusiasm for art.
However, the trajectory of Zhang Yan's life quietly changed in a beauty pageant. The students took a fancy to her 172-centimeter tall figure and unconventional temperament, and encouraged her to sign up for the beauty contest held by Guangzhou TV.
Zhang Yan didn't want to leave her dance dream, but she gradually became attracted - she had lived on campus for a long time and wanted to see the outside world.
On the day of the competition, Zhang Yan appeared in front of the judges with trepidation. After a brief introduction to herself, she began her carefully prepared dance performance. The graceful figure and smooth movements deeply shocked everyone present.
Although she was only the runner-up, she stood out among many beauties and became a blockbuster.
Winning the runner-up title opened a new door for Zhang Yan. Two years later, she passed TVB's selection of mainland artists, and officially debuted with her solid dancing skills, becoming a pioneer in joining Hong Kong TVB.
In the first TV series "Laughing at the Storm", the role she interpreted was lively, witty and charming.
The sea of art has been ups and downs, and Zhang Yan has failed to become a first-line actress in Hong Kong and Taiwan. But the Shaanxi girl with a dream of dancing used her perseverance to open a precedent for the export of mainland artists.
Success doesn't have to be me, her story inspires those who come after her to brave hardships and bravely pursue the career they love.
Yang Gongru: The legend of returning from a foreign land
In the summer of 1995, Hong Kong hosted the Miss Asia contest. Beauties from all over the world gathered, all dreaming of getting ahead in this international event.
One of the contestants is particularly eye-catching, she is Yang Gongru.
Yang Gongru was originally just an ordinary Shanghai girl, but she was discovered by a talent scout during a trip. The god of fate favored this oriental beauty, and she stood out from the crowd of contestants and won the overall championship of this edition.
When the host read out her name, 21-year-old Yang Gongru burst into tears with excitement. She opened her arms, a big smile on her face, and threw flying kisses into the audience, excited.
Winning the laurel marks that Yang Gongru's life is about to turn a new page. ATV's senior management saw her potential and soon signed a contract with her, allowing her to make her official debut.
The cold and noble Mei Jiangxue in "Snow Flower Sword", and the intelligent and brave Kong Ci in "Wu Shilang...... A number of classic characters made Yang Gongru quickly famous.
However, the road to acting is full of twists and turns. The ups and downs of her love life once made Yang Gongru's popularity decline. But she did not give up her enthusiasm for acting, continued to work dedicatedly, and proved herself with her strength.
Today, the 48-year-old Yang Gongru is still full of vitality and radiance, and has successfully created a diversified life from model to actor.
Yang Gongru's story is just like her name, like the distant sea, like white clouds, floating across the sea, and finally realizing the legendary road from a foreign land to the stage.
She proved with tenacity that mainland girls can also make a successful debut in Hong Kong, a mecca for performing arts. It is this indomitable spirit that inspires countless newcomers to continue to pursue a bright future.
Zhang Meng: Miss Universe's light of China
In 2004, a girl from Chinese mainland won the Miss Universe contest, she was Zhang Meng.
Zhang Meng was originally a rich girl with a good family background and educational background. When she went to Australia to study in high school, she had already shown a temperament and demeanor that far surpassed her peers.
During college, Zhang Meng began to try various international beauty pageants and accumulate stage experience. For her, Miss Universe is both a dream and a challenge.
In 2004, in the Chinese division, Zhang Meng's perfect appearance and excellent training made other beauties unmatched. On the day of the final, she walked on the runway confidently and radiantly.
With delicate facial features, tall and well-proportioned figure, and the temperament cultivated since childhood, Zhang Meng stood out among many beauties and successfully won the championship.
When she held a bouquet of flowers and wore a shining crown on her head, Zhang Meng burst into tears with excitement. This is the first time that a Chinese contestant has won the crown at Miss Universe, and it is also the moment when Zhang Meng's dream comes true.
After the game, her popularity soared and she became a new generation of "It Girl" in China. Although she failed to dominate the world stage in the end, Zhang Meng proved that China can also give birth to a new force of top international stars.
Miss Universe opened the door to the entertainment industry for Zhang Meng. She quickly became the new darling of the fashion industry and made her mark in the film and television industry. With a sunny and cheerful personality and a keen sense of business, Zhang Meng has built a diversified development path.
The tenacious and enterprising spirit allowed this rich girl to capture the excitement of life.
Ye Xuan: The golden age of talented women in the new century
At the beginning of the new century, a girl named Ye Xuan rose on the stage of Miss International Chinese and began her radiant golden age.
Ye Xuan is a typical handsome and talented returnee. Her parents divorced when she was three years older, and she was sent to the United States at the age of 10 to receive a Western education. The loneliness of a foreign country made Ye Xuan devote all her enthusiasm to her studies, and she not only excelled in her Xi grades, but also showed special linguistic and artistic talents.
At the age of 19, Ye Xuan represented New York in the Miss International Chinese contest, hoping to shine through this stage. She is not confined to the appearance of dressing, but to attract the attention of the judges with her inner confidence.
It also coincided with her birthday, and Ye Xuan playfully asked the judges to give her a surprise gift.
The god of fate seems to favor this talented overseas woman. Ye Xuan stood out with outstanding language expression and typhoon, and finally won the championship in one fell swoop. The moment she picked up the bouquet, she excitedly said that it was the best birthday present in her life.
After winning the championship, Ye Xuan decisively gave up his studies and joined TVB to start his film and television career. She quickly became popular with dramas such as "Rebirth" and "Fengshen List", and was regarded as the successor of a new generation of Hua Dan.
In 5 years, Ye Xuan has grown from a tulip-like young girl to a first-line actress in Hong Kong. Although she later moved to the film industry and did not develop well, this returnee girl proved with her strength that dreams have no borders, and as long as she dares to chase the light, she will definitely shine brightly.
Zhang Zilin: A gorgeous turn from track and field to the catwalk
Zhang Zilin, a legendary success story. She used to run left and right around the track and field, but then she was crisscrossing the catwalk.
Before 2007, Zhang Zilin was just an ordinary professional athlete. Having long legs of 1.82 meters is her biggest asset. In order to pursue greater achievements, she chose to give up the game and turn to the fashion industry.
Opportunity comes quickly. With the encouragement of her agent, Zhang Zilin signed up for that year's Miss World contest. She prepares confidently and treats her opponent as nothing.
On the day of the competition, Zhang Zilin walked on the stage dignified and generous, and her perfect appearance stood out among many beauties.
The victory completely changed the trajectory of Zhang Zilin's life. She quickly became a top supermodel in China, and major brands competed for cooperation. In 2011, she began to get involved in the film and television industry and has starred in many movies.
Zhang Zilin proved with her strength that she can not only perfectly interpret sexiness and commercial value, but also conquer the hearts of fans through her acting skills.
From the track and field arena to the art stage, Zhang Zilin has successfully achieved a gorgeous turn in many fields. Although she did not become a first-line actress, the spirit of daring to break through and being positive and enterprising is also desirable.
Her brave and resolute attitude towards life will inspire more mainland girls to dream bravely and pursue the life they love.
Yu Wenxia: Another Chinese daughter of Miss World
In 2012, a girl from Northeast China won the Miss World contest again, and she was Yu Wenxia.
Yu Wenxia was born in an ordinary farming family and lacked good educational resources. But she has a natural voice since she was a child, and she is full of enthusiasm to dream of singing all over the country.
At the age of 15, Yu Wenxia left her hometown and came to Heze Conservatory of Music to study Xi vocal music, hoping to become a singer.
However, a beauty contest changed the course of her life. With the encouragement of her teacher, Yu Wenxia signed up for the Miss World China selection competition. On the day of the competition, she appeared in a simple but elegant national dress, and her simple temperament and sweet smile impressed the judges.
In the end, 23-year-old Yu Wenxia won the crown as she wished.
"I did it!" When she won, Yu Wenxia said this sentence excitedly, with tears in her eyes. This is not only a personal victory for her, but also the greatest encouragement to the girls of the Northland.
However, the good times did not last long, and after winning the championship, Yu Wenxia did not receive enough resources to promote and support, and soon faded out of the public eye.
But she didn't give up chasing her dreams. Yu Wenxia continued to look for acting opportunities in her own way, and has participated in many film and television works. Use her simple but shining smile to infect the audience.
The Chinese daughter of Miss World is growing step by step into a popular actress.
Comparison of the present and past of the mainland beauty pageant champions
From Zhang Yan to Yu Wenxia, these 6 mainland beauty pageant champions have witnessed the 30-year development of China's beauty pageant career.
In the 80s of the 20th century, the mainland had just started a beauty pageant boom, and most of them were dominated by provincial and municipal competitions. At that time, most of the beauties did not have systematic training, and relied more on natural conditions to stand out.
They only want to change the trajectory of ordinary lives through extra money. Zhang Yan is a typical representative, a Shaanxi girl who is full of love for dance, and unexpectedly emerged in the Guangzhou TV beauty pageant.
By the mid-90s, mainland beauty pageants began to focus on internationalization. Yang Gongru and Zhang Meng have won the championship through international competitions such as ATV Sister and Miss Universe, representing the progress of the mainland's beauty pageant.
They have a more scientific and systematic training system, relying on strength rather than just natural conditions to win.
In the 21st century, Zhang Zilin and Yu Wenxia won the Miss World twice, achieving an international breakthrough for Chinese contestants. This marks that the mainland beauty pageant is in line with international standards, and the overall quality of the contestants has reached a new height.
It is no longer a matter of personal conditions to highlight the victory, but more needs, execution and comprehensive ability.
With the passage of time, beauty pageants in the mainland have evolved into a professional industry that attaches equal importance to both internal and external aspects. These former beauties have witnessed the growth of the industry with their own stories, and their experiences will inspire those who come after them to continue to strive for improvement and excellence.
Summary: Ordinary and tenacious outside the halo
These six mainland beauty pageant champions have one thing in common - their life paths after winning glory are not satisfactory, and most of them fail to become household names A-list superstars.
Zhang Yan's development in TVB was not smooth, and Yang Gongru and Ye Xuan failed to become popular top actresses. Although Zhang Meng and Zhang Zilin have successfully transformed, their film and television works have a mixed reputation.
Yu Wenxia fell quickly after a short period of popularity.
This may be due to the general environment and luck, but more importantly - the halo of success and the halo of failure.
Without the blessing of aura, they need not only external beauty, but also inner tenacity. Just as Zhang Yan insisted on the path of acting with a dream of dancing, Ye Xuan continued to break through and move into new fields.
Despite their ups and downs, they never gave up their passion for art.
Maybe they can't reach the level of superstars, but in this era of materialism and pompous money worship, these ordinary and real artists are the strength we really need.
Without the blessing of the aura, their road is destined to be even more rugged. But it is this spirit of perseverance that gives people strength. In this ever-changing world, only those who do not change can infect others and win respect.
This is also the charm of mainland beauty pageants.