Who are the most famous actresses from Xinjiang? Gulnazar, Dilraba Dilmurat, Jiang Xin and Tong Liya are 4 ethnic minority actresses who found mainstream success in China

Apr 28 , 2021

Dilireba, Jiang Xin and Tong Liya are Chinese celebrities from ethnic minority groups who have broken into the local mainstream. Photos: Weibo

Uygur actress Gulinazha, AKA Nazha, starred alongside Jackie Chan and Jing Tian in Police Story 2013, just two years after graduating from Beijing Film Academy

Dilraba Dilmurat boasts deals with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, appeared in CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala and has over 70 million followers on social media

Chinese celebrities from ethnic minority groups have been gaining increasing traction in mainland China in recent years. The Chinese government backed more films depicting minorities in 2013, and the Chinese entertainment industry has also become more open to casting minority actors – including those from the controversial Xinjiang region.

Check out four of the most popular Xinjiang actresses who’ve managed to break into mainstream Chinese cinema.

Dilireba (Dilraba Dilmurat)

Weibo followers: over 73 million

Birthday: June 3, 1992

Dilireba, AKA Dilraba Dilmurat. Photo: Weibo

Likely the most recognisable Uygur actress today, Dilireba first gained recognition for her role in the action-drama series Swords of Legends in 2014.

Her popularity exploded in 2017 with her lead role in the series Pretty Li Huizhen, which ranked first in its time slot and received over 7 billion online views. She starred in fantasy romance drama Eternal Love the same year, which later became the most watched television series in China.

Her star continues to rise; today she appears in top variety shows, major projects such as Keep Running and CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala, and boasts brand endorsement deals ranging from food and drink to mobile applications and luxury fashion brands. In 2020, she fronted campaigns for over 20 companies, including Louis Vuitton, Clarins, Miss Sixty, Mikimoto and P&G.