Pursuit of Jade made Tian Xiwei one of the most-watched Chinese actresses globally. Now, step behind the scenes with the remarkably grounded star whose greatest strength lies in a steadfast focus on her craft.
There is a scene in the Chinese historical drama Pursuit of Jade where the show’s resilient heroine, Fan Changyu—butcher, survivor, warrior—tells herself to eat well, sleep well, and not give up. Tian Xiwei, the actress who brought her to life, recalls the line earnestly because the message hit home for her just as deeply. “Those words,” she reflects, “have stayed with me. They’ve carried me through difficult moments in my own life and given me a great deal of strength.” It is an early hint of a deeper truth: that the line between Tian and the role she inhabited is a fine one.
In fact, in a small act of life imitating art, the 28‐year‐old lives those exact words over lunch—a massive spread of laksa, mapo tofu, and marinated wings amidst various other delights. Despite landing just after midnight the night before and then powering through our exhausting five‐hour cover shoot, her spirits remain remarkably high as she devours her first meal of the day. There is an effortless resilience to it that feels unmistakably like the character who pushed her into the global limelight—an instinctive understanding of the deep value of eating well before heading straight back to work.
Pursuit of Jade has become one of the year’s defining dramas, winning audiences far beyond its home market and cementing Tian as one of the industry’s most closely watched young actresses. Yet, when the conversation inevitably turns to the show’s massive success, she seems far less interested in streaming milestones and record‐breaking numbers than in a much simpler question: “Have you watched the show?” she asks, angling her body forward with genuine curiosity. It is a telling moment; to her, industry metrics matter far less than whether the story—and its protagonist—has been introduced to the person across from her. Mention Fan’s resilience and how refreshingly different she feels from so many conventional female leads, and Tian nods thoughtfully. That, she points out, was exactly what drew her to the role from the moment she read the script. “I think women are multifaceted. But what [we] all have in common is an inner strength,” she says. “In the case of Changyu, whether she’s a female general leading troops or simply someone cooking in her own kitchen, deep down, she still possesses incredible resilience and strength. I think that was what drew me to her character in the first place.”
That understanding did not arrive all at once. Filming began with only the first five to eight episodes of the script in hand, and it was only as production continued that Tian came to empathise more deeply with her character. “Even someone as strong as she is has imperfections,” she says. “But I don’t think they’re flaws—I think they’re what make her feel like a real person.” Asked how her feelings towards Fan evolved across what she (immediately and precisely) recalls as 110 days of filming, her answer is simple: “I just grew to love her even more.”
If her emotional attachment grew over time, Tian’s physical understanding of the role was immediate—largely thanks to the costumes, which became for her an instant shorthand for character. “I tend to pay a lot of attention to details,” she explains. “Sometimes, a very small gesture can make a character feel much more real and [three‐dimensional].” Rough linen and softly curled hair adorned with delicate floral ornaments grounded Fan in the simplicity of village life, while a general’s armour transformed not just her appearance, but also her mindset. “When she’s dressed in simple homespun clothes, she feels more natural and at ease,” Tian explains. “But when she puts on a general’s armour, she immediately feels much stronger and tougher.”
The scale of Pursuit of Jade’s success reshaped life for its cast almost overnight, bringing with it an intense wave of public adoration. Viral videos have captured Tian mobbed at airports and public appearances, surrounded by crowds large enough to raise genuine safety concerns. It is a dizzying new level of attention—one she is still learning to hold at arm’s length. She manages it, characteristically, by refusing to be moved by it. “Honestly, the biggest change I’ve noticed is just how many more people recognise me now and how many more people call out my name,” she says. “But internally, I don’t feel like I’ve changed very much.” Recalling a conversation she has had with people around her, Tian laughs before expounding: “I asked them, ‘Why don’t I feel any different?’ They told me it’s probably because I’ve always been the same—I’ve always just stayed focused on what I’m doing. Everything happening on the outside is really just the result of the work I’ve been putting in. Whether the outcome is good or bad, the time I’ve spent focusing on improving myself has helped me grow. So no matter what happens, I feel I’ve gained something.”
This steadfast commitment to her inner core makes a comparison to jade feel almost predetermined for the actress whose hit series features the gemstone in its title. Yet, the stone captures her essence in more ways than just a clever label. Jade is celebrated for its toughness, but is defined just as much by the smoothness and coolness of its touch. It is a duality that perfectly reflects Tian herself—she possesses an unyielding resilience before the world, balanced by something inherently calmer, softer, and more pliant.
But maintaining that cool composure before a global audience carries a hidden weight. “I guess you could say I started feeling more pressure after the show finished airing,” Tian admits, though she traces the source of it back to herself. “So many people are watching me now. Do I have to be perfect? I felt like I had to present a certain image to everyone, and I ended up putting a shell around myself.” It did not take her long, though, to recognise that she had been overthinking it. “I realised that constantly wondering what other people were thinking—whether they were watching me or judging me—didn’t actually accomplish anything. The only thing that really matters is focusing on the work that’s right in front of you. Just throw yourself into it. There’s no need to put so much pressure—or such a heavy burden—on yourself.”
These days, the Chinese actress is focused on something bigger than any single role. At the Pursuit of Jade farewell dinner, Tian reflected in a speech that the direction of her life had “taken on a higher purpose”—one that involves creating quality cultural content and sharing China’s stories with audiences around the world. “I think when a story is able to cross mountains and oceans, transcend languages, and reach audiences across different countries, it’s because there are people everywhere who truly understand it,” she says when asked about those reflections. “I think its success comes from how honestly it captures what people are searching for emotionally today. And those emotions aren’t limited to romantic love.” She pauses to consider the many forms those connections can take: the bonds between comrades, between siblings, and within families. “I think it’s those emotional connections that have really resonated with audiences.”
That belief extends to the way Tian views her own work: as a means of connection. She believes a truly meaningful piece of storytelling can build understanding between cultures and that China is home to a wealth of traditional stories and cultural histories waiting to be explored. Her hope is to bring those stories to life with authenticity, using her strengths as an actress to make each character feel fully realised.
Work these days comes in different forms—including, most recently, Gucci’s summer campaign for its Primavera collection, which brought her to the breezy shores of Monte Carlo. The star‐studded campaign (among its high‐profile global cast are fellow It girls Amelia Gray and Anok Yai) trades the everyday rush for open water and poolside lounging, capturing the spirit of spontaneous travel and effortless escape that defines the collection. That same liberating ease carries over into Tian’s approach to dressing. “I think fashion is something fluid,” she says. “It should serve my own personal style, not the other way around. My personality is who I am; fashion is simply something external that empowers that.” On days when she wants to feel stronger or project a sharper image, for instance, she reaches for pieces with more presence. “I’ll choose a really cool outfit, a striking handbag, or bold accessories,” she shares. “That’s how I present myself to the outside world. I think fashion is ultimately a form of self‐expression.”
I think fashion is something fluid…it should serve my own personal style, not the other way around. My personality is who I am; fashion is simply something external that empowers that.
This dynamic sense of self is exactly why Tian’s partnership with Gucci is so natural. Rather than sticking to one signature look, she mirrors the house’s habit of constant reinvention. “Each new season brings changes—not only in the clothes, but also in the storytelling,” she says, noting that the brand purposefully pursues a distinct creative direction every time—whether that means capturing a lighter, more relaxed attitude or striking a far more serious tone. It is a shape‐shifting nature she recognises in her own life. “I’m like that too,” she says. “Sometimes I’m serious, with a cool attitude; sometimes I’m more bubbly and cute. I think it’s wonderful to be versatile. I really like that.”
It makes sense, then, that she connects so strongly with Gucci’s Primavera collection. “What attracted me most was exactly that feeling of effortless freedom,” says Tian, pointing to the Paparazzo bag as the perfect example. “It’s just so relaxed and easy to use; you can simply pick it up and go. It also has plenty of space inside.” She laughs. “Even E.T. could fit in there!” To her, the bag evokes “a summer evening breeze”—something light, easy and relaxed.
Pursuit of Jade may be Tian’s most‐watched role to date, but it is far from her only acclaimed performance. Her rise to fame has been defined by a spectacular run of period dramas, with her first breakthrough lead role being the bright and spirited Li Wei in the romantic comedy series New Life Begins (2022), after which she starred as the quick‐witted Li Yuhu in Wrong Carriage, Right Groom (2023), another rom‐com. She then expanded her range into high‐stakes historical fantasy with a scene‐stealing turn as the headstrong Princess Lin’an in Guardians of the Dafeng (2024) before taking on one of her most physically demanding roles yet in Moonlit Reunion (2025). In the latter, she played Wu Zhen, a carefree noblewoman by day and the cat‐eared guardian of Chang’an’s underground demon market by night. This year, she further showcased her versatility
as the brilliant and socially awkward Lin Zhi Xia in Genius Girlfriend and as the bold rookie police officer Li Qian in the hit crime thriller Born With Luck. Historical dramas, however, remain her forte; her next project marks a distinct shift in tone—leaving behind these brighter, high-spirited narratives for a dark story of tactical survival.
In her upcoming series, Where the Mask Ends—adapted from Xiao Jia Ren’s popular web novel Jia Jin Chai—Tian takes on her first dual role, portraying two women who share the same face but stand on opposite
sides of morality: one deeply villainous, the other comparatively righteous. If jade is prized for both its hardness and distinctive coolness, this is the performance that reveals the stone’s coldest face. “All the characters I’d played before were people who brought positive energy to others,” she notes. “This time, because I’m portraying someone much darker, I found myself wondering whether audiences would stop liking me.” Reminded that a viewer’s dislike is often the ultimate proof of a villainous role played convincingly, she flashes an immediate smile of agreement. “I really hope so!” she says with a laugh. The drama is expected to premiere this November.
Looking further ahead, Tian resists naming a dream role, preferring instead to relish the freedom to keep discovering. “I believe human potential is limitless … I think there are still many sides of me that people haven’t seen,” she says. While an almost mythic resilience ties her roles together—from generals to underworld guardians—it is their quieter, more human admission of uncertainty underneath that keeps audiences hooked. It is a quality Tian embraces in her own journey too. “I really look forward to that sense of the unknown—the fact that I don’t know what my future roles will be,” she shares. “I hope everyone will look forward to discovering my next character along with me.”
This invitation to go on a shared journey will no doubt be warmly taken up by her fans, including those in
Malaysia—where Pursuit of Jade found an exceptionally enthusiastic audience. “When I first found out that I
had so many fans here, I was incredibly happy,” says Tian. “It made me feel that the way I express myself has truly been understood. For example, I really love the character Fan Changyu. I’m really glad that how I chose to portray her has made everyone love her too. To me, it feels like a mutual connection—a two‐way exchange of appreciation.” She pauses before offering a final reflection: “Going forward, I hope I’ll continue to have the good fortune to create more characters that resonate with everyone in the same way. If I can do that, I’d feel truly honoured.”
It is a fitting note to close on: a quiet hope to keep being understood. For an actress who spent her childhood
imagining herself into other lives—and who resembles, more than a little, the resilient women she plays—that mutual recognition may be the whole point. With the formal interview over, Tian’s manager hands her a bowl of Singaporean bak kut teh. She takes a sip, pauses, then takes an even bigger gulp. “This is delicious!” she exclaims, her eyes lighting up. In that moment, she looks remarkably like Fan again—savouring life’s simplest pleasures: a good meal, a moment fully lived, a sense of contentment that needs no further explanation.
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Photography: Reuben Foong
Creative Direction & Styling: Kelly Hsu
Art Direction: Nadia Aswardy
Makeup: Jing Han
Hair: Zhou Xia
Photography Assistants: Teo Ren Jie, Aman John
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