Zheng Shuang

Zheng Shuang (born Zheng Yihan; 22 August 1991) is a Chinese actress. She rose to fame with her role as Chu Yuxun in Meteor Shower (2009–2010), becoming the youngest actress to be nominated for Best Actress at the China TV Golden Eagle Award. She is also known for her roles in TV series Swords of Legends and Love O2O (2016). She was chosen by Southern Metropolis Daily as one of the "Four Dan Actresses of the post-90s Generation".

In 2021, Zheng's career was suspended after being involved in a series of scandals about tax evasion and surrogacy.

Education Zheng Shuang received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in performing arts from Beijing Film Academy in 2011.

Career

2009–2013: Beginnings and rising popularity In 2009, Zheng made her debut in Meteor Shower, Hunan TV's remake of the hit Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden. The drama was a major hit in China, and shot Zheng to instant fame. She also released a single, "Love Waltz" for the OST. Zheng was nominated for the Best Actress award at the 25th China TV Golden Eagle Award, becoming the youngest actress to be nominated. Zheng subsequently reprised her role in the second season of the drama which aired in 2010.

In 2011, Zheng starred in Gordon Chan's fantasy film, Mural, which won her the Best New Actress award at the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild Award. The same year she starred in action comedy film No Limit, and historical romance drama War of Desire.

In 2012, Zheng portrayed double roles in the historical drama Secret History of Princess Taiping, playing Princess Taiping and Princess Andingsi. In 2013, she starred in fashion romance drama The Queen of SOP 2, the sequel to the 2011 hit drama.

2014–2020: Breakthrough and mainstream success In 2014, Zheng starred in the hit fantasy action drama Swords of Legends, where she played a fox spirit. The popularity of the drama led to renewed recognition for Zheng, and she won the Audience's Favorite Actress award at the 13th Huading Awards.

In 2015, Zheng starred in her first period drama, The Cage of Love penned by Tong Hua. She won the Best Actress award in the Revolutionary-Era drama category for her performance at the 19th Huading Awards. The same year, she starred alongside Jing Boran in Love Weaves Through a Millennium, a remake of the South Korean time-travel romance drama Queen In-hyun's Man; and joined the travel-reality show Divas Hit the Road. With her high press coverage and successful works, Zheng won the Popular Actress award at the 1st China Television Drama Quality Ceremony.

In 2016, Zheng starred in the historical melodrama Chronicle of Life, based on the novel Lonely Courtyard in Late Spring by Fei Wo Si Cun. She then portrayed Ding Yuehua in the historical mystery drama The Three Heroes and Five Gallants, based on the 19th-century classic novel of the same name. The same year, Zheng co-starred with Yang Yang in romance comedy drama Love O2O, based on the novel of the same name by Gu Man. The drama was a major hit both domestically and internationally, leading to increased popularity for Zheng.

In 2017, Zheng starred alongside Chen Xuedong in Rush to the Dead Summer, a youth melodrama adapted from Guo Jingming's novel of the same name. The drama was praised for its realistic portrayal of youth and campus life, as well as its beautiful cinematography. She also co-starred in fantasy-adventure film Wu Kong, her first film in six years.

In 2018, Zheng starred alongside Luo Jin in the romance drama My Story for You. The same year, she participated in the creation of the script for science fiction romance drama Hi, I'm Saori, which she stars in. Forbes China listed Zheng under their 30 Under 30 Asia 2017 list which consisted of 30 influential people under 30 years old who have had a substantial effect in their fields.

In 2019, Zheng starred in the female-centric youth drama Youth Fight directed by Zhao Baogang. The same year she starred in romance melodrama River Flows To You alongside Ma Tianyu, based on Guo Jingming's novel Cry Me A Sad River. Zheng was set to star in spy drama Secret Keepers where she played double roles as an undercover agent and a Japanese spy. Secret Keepers was due to be released on 5 September 2020, but it was abruptly halted and postponed indefinitely on 2 September 2020. The postponement was due to a general blacklist by the state regulators on a co-actor, Zhao Lixin which meant that the production team had to edit Zhao out from the drama.

2021–present: Career stoppage

Surrogacy In January 2021, it was revealed that Zheng had two children born of surrogacy in the United States and had allegedly first demanded late term abortion at 7 months into the pregnancies and expressed annoyance when informed that it was illegal, then abandoned them after her relationship with their father turned sour. Surrogacy is not allowed in China, but due to legal loopholes, some Chinese citizens would seek to have children via surrogate mothers overseas. News of people resorting to surrogacy would usually face significant backlash in China. Prada subsequently dropped her as their spokesperson due to the "significant recent media coverage" of her "personal life". Some, including London jewellery brand Lola Rose, Chinese cosmetics brand Chioture and hair care brand Aussie, had distanced themselves from her while others had deleted social media posts that had promoted her. Zheng has been blacklisted since 20 January 2021, with all existing entertainment activities relating to her cancelled.

Tax evasion In April 2021, Zhang Heng revealed his chat history with Zheng Shuang and her mother, showing Zheng received ( million) salary for an unreleased TV series, A Chinese Ghost Story. It was alleged that Zheng presented a lower taxable amount of to tax authorities, while the rest was charged as fees by a company owned by her mother. China had introduced laws in 2018 to regulate the highest possible salary for an actor by pegging their salary between 40–70% of a film's production costs. This sparked an investigation into Zheng for possible tax evasion. In order to salvage the TV series, the production team decided to swap Zheng's face throughout the series with Peng Xiaoran's. She was found not declaring between 2020 and 2021, evaded taxes of , and underpaid her taxes by . Zheng was charged with tax evasion by China's State Taxation Administration and ordered to pay ( million) as penalty for alleged tax evasion. Of the amount to be paid, Zheng had paid the evaded taxes and late fees, with the fine outstanding. In December 2023, Zheng Shuang was subjected to compulsory enforcement of 90.5 million yuan due to a contract dispute; previously, approximately 128 million yuan had been enforced.

Personal life In May 2018, Zheng Shuang met producer Zhang Heng when filming a reality show. The pair admitted to be dating in August 2018 and started a company together. However, they announced their breakup in December 2019. On 18 January 2021, Zhang revealed that he had been stranded in the US for over a year to take care of two children. The two children were born to US-based surrogate mothers on 19 December 2019 and 4 January 2020. Zhang alleged that Zheng had abandoned the two children after breaking up and not wanting to sign legal papers which would allow the children to travel to China. The clinic also reportedly confirmed Zheng's request to terminate the pregnancies at the seventh month, which was denied. On 23 January 2021, Zheng's father revealed in a video recording that the conversation which circulated online was made when Zheng and Zhang just broke up; the family just wanted to find all means to cut Zhang off from Zheng's life, instead of not wanting the children. In January 2023, Zhang alleged that Zheng had caused injuries to the children, and both would appear in the family court over custodial issues that month.

In early 2025, allegations of Zheng being a mistress of Chinese billionaire Ye Yanwei in the United States surfaced. Although Zheng denied the allegations, Ye's son, Ye Runtong, claimed otherwise on his social media account.

Filmography Film Year English title Chinese title Role Notes/ 2011 No Limit 无极限之危情速递 Xiao'an War of Desire 凰图腾 Ning Caidie 2013 The Queen of SOP 2 胜女的时代 Mu Xiaoyan / Fang Yifei The Cage of Love 抓住彩虹的男人 Wu Caihong 2016 A Happy Life 2 天天有喜2之人间有爱 Bai Xue Cameo Chronicle of Life 寂寞空庭春欲晚 Wei Linlang (Liang'er) 2017 Rush to the Dead Summer 夏至未至 Li Xia Jade Lovers 翡翠恋人 Shen Chenxi A Chinese Ghost Story 只问今生恋沧溟 Nie Xiaoqian

Short film Year English title Chinese title Role Notes/2010 Kissing Fish 接吻鱼 Shutter Love 如果遇见 Xiao Han 2014 The Twilight Saga 暮光之城 Bella 2016 Jasmine Flowers 茉等花开 2017 Zhu Xian: Yun Meng Valley 诛仙云梦川 Ling Long / Duo Yi

Variety show Year English title Chinese title Role Notes/ 2015 Divas Hit the Road 花儿与少年 Cast member 2016 The Greatest Love 旋风孝子 2018 This is Fighting Robots 这！就是铁甲 2019 Meeting Mr. Right 女儿们的恋爱 2020让生活好看 爆款来了 Little Forest奇妙小森林

Music video appearances Year English title Chinese title Singer Notes/ 2009 "Watching The Moon Climb Up" 看月亮爬上来 Jason Zhang 2010 "The Left Side of the Wing" 左半边翅膀 Xu Fei "Happy Advancement" 快乐出发 EE-Media stars "Wishing For You" 2011 "Giving Energy Youth" 给力青春

Discography

Singles Year English title Chinese title Album Notes/ 2009 "Love's Waltz" 爱的华尔兹 Meteor Shower OST 2010 "Super Fantasy" 超梦幻 Da Huo Shui Ni OST 2011 "Extreme Love" 极限爱恋 No Limit OST with Hans Zhang 2015 "Can't Forget" 不能忘 Love Weaves Through a Millennium OST with Jing Boran "Divas Hit the Road" 花儿与少年 Divas Hit the Road OST 2020 "With You by My Side" 有你在身边 Charity song for Coronavirus