Original source │ONE有影力 │ September 15, 2019
This interview with Xiao Zhan took place backstage at the press conference for the film Jade Dynasty I.
He entered the entertainment industry at 24 through a talent show. At 27, he rose to fame with the web drama The Untamed.
During the half-hour interview with him, the three of us reacted in three different ways.
Editor A: Xiao Zhan said thank you to me, and I was so excited I almost died on the spot.
Editor B: I spent half an hour shooting him up close, and I’ve been reminiscing about it for three days and three nights.
Me: Help me up, I could shoot until dawn without drinking a drop of water.
We prepared many labels beforehand, trying to define him.
But after the interview, we realized that no single term could easily summarize him.
His only defining characteristic is his rebellion against labels.
1
“If I hadn’t debuted, my kids would probably be old enough to run errands by now.”
Xiao Zhan frankly admitted that he is a very lucky person. “There are so many hardworking people, I’m just lucky to have gained so much popularity.”
As the saying goes, only good-looking people have a long youth. Xiao Zhan is no exception.
As a handsome boy, Xiao Zhan received many confessions and love letters from girls from a young age.
When he was a designer, when presenting proposals to clients, because of his good looks, clients listened to his proposals with more patience than others.
But Xiao Zhan feels that these things are nothing. “A good image is just a stepping stone. Once you open that door, the rest depends on real skills, and there’s no way to change that.”
Q: How much do you think being handsome has helped your life?
Haha, I really think I’m not that bad-looking. There are so many good-looking people in the entertainment industry.
Of course, not avoiding the question, a good image does give one an advantage.
After all, humans are very sensory creatures.
The first thing we see that makes us feel comfortable and pleasing to the eye will create a positive impression; we all have to admit this fact.
Q: Imagine if you hadn’t participated in the talent show at 24 and were still an ordinary person, what kind of life would you be living now?
Maybe my kids would be old enough to run errands by now. Haha, just kidding.
Maybe I’d still be a designer, who knows? I’m a restless person, I don’t even know what I’m messing around with right now.
I don’t like to settle for the status quo; I don’t like living a monotonous life. My drawing, designing, and participating in talent shows are probably all related to my adventurous personality.
I don’t like to avoid problems; I face challenges head-on.
I prefer to think about how to live a better tomorrow, rather than making excuses for the past.
2
“No one dictates that I have to be the Xiao Zhan I am.”
Xiao Zhan’s clarity lies not only in his self-understanding but also in his clear understanding of the world around him.
The entertainment industry is cruel; no one can guarantee they’ll never be checked out.
Xiao Zhan, however, doesn’t see this as a problem. He never sees himself as a traffic star; he considers himself an actor.
Celebrities have short lifespans, but the images created by good actors can withstand the test of time.
Q: Your first attempt at a film, playing the male lead in such a big IP as Jade Dynasty I, how did you feel?
Scared (laughs). Actually, I was quite scared; the pressure was immense.
Jade Dynasty is a very, very big IP, with many fans, many book readers, and many viewers.
Secondly, it’s a film, so I felt a lot of pressure. Even now, the pressure is immense.
Because films are more brutal than web series; the feedback is more direct. Good is good, bad is bad.
It’s entirely based on box office and word-of-mouth.
3
Q: You’re incredibly popular right now, but do you feel anxious about the future?
I’ve never really understood what “popularity” or “explosion” means. How do you define this?
I don’t think anyone can define it.
What I say to myself is “value”—creating my own value, value that no one else can have. That’s better than “explosion” or “popularity.”
I don’t want to be a flash in the pan. I believe no one wants to be a flash in the pan. Like fireworks, shining brightly and then immediately fading away.
What I want to do is have my own value. Every profession has its own value.
When I’m a designer, I want to create value for my logo. I want clients to like what I do. I want my work to bring them benefits and more attention.
As an actor, your commercial value and the value of your acting are what you can contribute.
Ultimately, I hope to have my own place in this society and in this world.
Q: If sunny, cheerful guys like you aren’t popular in the future, do you think you’ll still be as popular?
I’ve never thought about that question. I don’t even think it should be called a question.
An actor is born for a role. If I see a script that really appeals to me, and I’m offered the role of a soldier, a tough guy…
OK, no problem. I’m willing to spend six months to a year learning and transforming myself into that character.
It’s not a question of whether I can or can’t; it’s a question of willingness.
No one dictates that I have to be the Xiao Zhan I am right now; this is just what the roles I’ve taken on so far have given me.
4
“I don’t know what misunderstandings people have about celebrities these days?”
Another aspect of Xiao Zhan’s clarity is his ability to remain relaxed and true to himself despite his fame.
He can hold his head high with all his might when the lights are on, and he’s never given up even when suspended 30 meters upside down by wires.
He can also go home and peacefully do laundry after the lights go out—yes, by hand.
Xiao Zhan once said, “I’m a Libra; I’m on both ends of the scale.”
He’s good at describing himself, and more importantly, he excels at both ends.
This kind of person has never been swallowed up by the world of fame and fortune.
Q: I saw in an interview that you said you go back to the hotel to do laundry after an event. What do you usually do in your daily life?
Do laundry, order takeout, go grocery shopping—very everyday.
I don’t know what misunderstandings people have about celebrities these days, as if they’re never on the ground, walking on air. (laughs)
But actually, I’m quite independent in my life.
Even now, when I’m filming, I buy a washing machine and wash my own clothes, though I still hand-wash them when necessary.
I also cook occasionally. But now I don’t have as much time (to cook).
Q: So, even without the celebrity aura, you’re still just an ordinary person, right?
Being a celebrity is a profession, a job. When I need to be in the spotlight and in front of the camera, I can be the center of attention.
But when you go home, are you going to turn on all the spotlights there too? (laughs)
At home, I’m just a normal person. I just lounge around on the sofa. I usually lounge for about 20 minutes first, then get up to remove my makeup, shower, and go to sleep.
For example, after today’s press conference is over and I go home, I can just relax and think,“I’m off work!”
Q: I watched your dramas before and thought your crying scenes were particularly good and very moving. Are you a crybaby in real life?
No, not at all.
I feel like I’ve shed all the tears I’ll ever have in my life on screen.
I basically don’t cry in real life. I only cry when I see something very moving or read a book. I don’t cry when I encounter difficulties in life.
Q: People usually see you as very gentle and understanding. Are you considered a “nice guy” in real life?
Nice guy? I think if someone says that to me, they’re probably just a casual acquaintance.
People who know me well know that I actually have a pretty strong temper, quite assertive.
I like what I like, and I don’t like what I don’t like; there’s not much of a gray area.
Of course, I don’t like making the atmosphere uncomfortable. I like everyone to be happy.
Because that’s how we maintain a good working environment and everyone has motivation. If things get out of control, it becomes very awkward.
I think efficiency is important, and the work environment is also important; it has to be enjoyable.
Q: Everyone thinks you have a lot of boyfriend potential. Do you ever have a side that’s a bit clueless about romance?
I’ve been filming a modern drama lately, and I used to think I was a pretty humorous guy.
Then I’d joke around with my co-stars, only to have them tell me, ‘Your jokes aren’t funny at all!’ They’d ask, ‘How do you not get our jokes? You’re so out of touch.’ They even told me to get online more often and keep up with what’s trending.
I was like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe they actually said that to my face!’
Xiao Zhan said, “I’m off work after the interview!” His cheerful demeanor was like that of any young person about to leave work.
From an unknown ordinary person to a celebrity with two million likes and one million reposts on a single Weibo post, Xiao Zhan only took three years.
Contrary to what we might imagine, he doesn’t display the arrogance and complacency that comes with overnight fame; instead, he is humble, cautious, and clear-headed.
He knows that being a “celebrity” is just a job, and he shouldn’t let the glamour of the profession make him forget who he is.
At work, he needs to be mindful of his every smile, every word, and every action, attracting attention while maintaining a sense of propriety.
After work, he’s just an ordinary person: “lying down in Beijing, doing laundry, shopping at the supermarket, ordering takeout.”
Being a celebrity is a high-risk profession; fame and obscurity can happen overnight. When asked if he feels anxious, Xiao Zhan frankly stated:
“I definitely don’t want to be a fleeting firework; I need to deliver my unique and irreplaceable value.”
Author：卷毛邦尼 橘古力
Video：阿九
Visuals：鲜和奶油
Images from the internet
#Today’s Saying: What is Xiao Zhan like in your eyes?#