Xiao Zhan, born on October 5, 1991, in Chongqing, China, is a celebrated actor and singer who rose from the ranks of an idol survival show to become one of the most influential and commercially successful entertainers in the Chinese-speaking world. He first entered the public eye in 2015 as a contestant on the idol survival program X-Fire, which led to his debut as a member of the Chinese boy group X Nine. Though his initial foray into the industry was as a vocalist, Xiao Zhan quickly demonstrated a versatile talent that would soon make him a household name, transitioning seamlessly into acting and earning acclaim for his powerful on-screen presence.
Xiao Zhan’s breakthrough came in 2019 with the xianxia drama The Untamed, where he portrayed the charismatic and morally complex Wei Wuxian. The series became a global phenomenon, catapulting him to international stardom and solidifying his status as a leading man. That same year, he appeared in the hit historical drama Joy of Life and starred in the fantasy film Jade Dynasty, further expanding his repertoire. Following this success, he took on a diverse array of roles, including the lead in the epic romance The Wolf (2020), the fantasy adaptation Douluo Continent (2021), the military drama Ace Troops (2021), and the romantic comedy The Oath of Love (2022). His consistency continued with The Youth Memories (2023), The Longest Promise (2023), and Sunshine by My Side (2023), before he headlined the highly anticipated The Legend of Zang Hai (2025). On the big screen, he has taken on major projects such as Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants (2025) and Gezhi Town (2025), showcasing his range across genres.
Beyond acting, Xiao Zhan has achieved remarkable success as a singer. In 2020, he released the digital single "Spotlight," which shattered records by setting the Guinness World Record for the highest selling digital single of all time, the fastest-selling digital track, and the biggest-selling digital single in China. This feat underscored his immense fan base and cultural impact, as his supporters, known as Xiaofei, mobilized to unprecedented levels. Despite facing controversies and online backlash in 2020, Xiao Zhan demonstrated resilience, returning to the spotlight with a series of well-received projects and philanthropic efforts, including donations to disaster relief and educational initiatives. Today, he remains one of China’s most bankable stars, balancing a rigorous schedule of film and television productions with a continued presence in the music industry, all while maintaining a reputation for professionalism and humility that endears him to both peers and fans.