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Zoey Zhang

Chinese actress Esther Yu Shuxin, who is known for her playful personality and bold fashion choices, pursued her passion for acting despite coming from a privileged background.
The 28-year-old was born in Shanghai to a wealthy family – her father a mining magnate and her grandfather the head of a steel corporation – with an estimated family net worth of 40 billion yuan (US$5.6 billion), according to Chinese digital news outlet QQ News.
By the age of 15, Yu reportedly had a personal net worth of more than 40 million yuan (US$5.6 million) and owned five companies by 25.
However, Yu chose to follow her acting dreams independently, starting with smaller roles.
In 2016, she made her TV debut in the martial arts drama Border Town Prodigal, playing a supporting role as a detective.

Yu rose to fame in 2020 through the mainland idol survival show Youth With You Season 2, which racked up 2.3 billion views on iQIYI, a leading Chinese streaming platform.
During her debut on the show, Yu carried a limited-edition Chanel diamond bag worth 220,000 yuan (US$30,000).
After watching another contestant’s impressive performance, she exclaimed “wow” with wide eyes and an open mouth, a reaction that turned her into an instant internet sensation, inspiring a wave of viral memes.
Yu’s sweet voice and genuine charm have earned her a massive following.
With 3.4 million Instagram followers, she enjoys strong fan support across Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia.
One fan from the Philippines said: “I love Yu’s expressive face. She may not be the best singer or dancer, but she is definitely the most charismatic.”
Yu secured second place in Youth With You Season 2, earning a spot in the Chinese temporary idol group The9.
In 2022, she played Orchid, a plant fairy, in the mainland hit fantasy romance drama Love Between Fairy and Devil.
While some praised her energetic performance, others criticised it as too shallow and not natural.
A year later, Yu took on a more serious role in a martial arts TV series My Journey To You, portraying a cold and skilled spy.
The part depicted a sharp departure from her usual cheerful persona, and the mainland media praised her for showing growth and dedication to her acting.
Yu’s bold and creative fashion sense also turns heads.
During a recent mainland reality show, she surprised fans by wearing a purple cheongsam. She also experiments with bold, colourful outfits, such as pairing neon green tops with bright orange pants, sparking high-saturation styling trends on social media.

Recently, Yu shared photos online showing her pink hair and diamond-studded attire, dubbing the look “dark Barbie”. The post has amassed more than 1 million likes.
In October, she marked her eighth year in showbiz by releasing a new song, Surge, reflecting on her journey as an actress.


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Rich China rising star Esther Yu famous for playful fashion choices forges independent path

Despite her family’s fabulous corporate wealth, up and coming Chinese actress Esther Yu Shuxin has chosen to chart her own way to success. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo

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The playful actress has attracted a massive following across Asia. Photo: Instagram/estheryu.u

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Despite family background steeped in corporate success, daughter of mining magnate chooses acting as way forward


Despite family background steeped in corporate success, daughter of mining magnate chooses acting as way forward.


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Despite family background steeped in corporate success, daughter of mining magnate chooses acting as way forward