Chen Yao

Yao Chen (Chinese: 姚晨; pinyin: Yáo chén; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Iâu Sîn) is a Chinese actress and philanthropist. She first gained popularity for her role in My Own Swordsman (2006). Yao went on to star in the television series Lurk (2008), Divorce Lawyers (2014), and All Is Well (2019). Her notable film credits include Caught in the Web (2012), Firestorm (2013), Lost, Found (2018), and Send Me to the Clouds (2019). In 2019, she received the Singapore International Film Festival’s cinema icon award for a career that has encompassed a wildly popular television series (Lurk) and award winning film (All is Well). In the same year, Yao was recognized as the best actress at Tokyo Film Festival and Busan International Film Festival, in addition, she was also nominated for best actress at the Golden Rooster Awards. In 2014, Time named Yao as one of the most influential people on their Time 100 list. As of 2014, she is listed as the 83rd most powerful woman in the world by Forbes. Several English-language media outlets have nicknamed her "China's answer to Angelina Jolie." Yao ranked 56th on Forbes China Celebrity 100 list in 2013, 69th in 2014, 41st in 2015, and 60th in 2019. In 2013, she was named a UN Refugee Agency Goodwill Ambassador to help highlight refugee issues for the Chinese-speaking world. She is the first Chinese Ambassador in this program. Yao Chen won the 22nd Crystal Awards at the opening session of the 46th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. Other honorees include Leonardo DiCaprio , artist Olafur Eliasson, and musician Will.I.Am. For Yao’s works and impacts in Asia and the world, she was received 2023 Asia Game Changer Award from Asia Society. Other awardees include artist Yayoi Kusama, Founder of Natori Josie Cruz Natori, Philanthropists Jerry Yang and Akiko Yamazaki, and others.