After some intense years studying electric engineering, a brief spell working as a host for MTV China, and somehow finding the time to record a whole album (music is her second passion) Zhu Zhu was finally able to follow her acting dreams by landing herself a role in the 2010 Chinese remake of What Women Want, before making her US debut in the 2012 film Cloud Atlas. Since then she’s starred in international hits The Man with the Iron Fists, The Old Cinderella and Last Flight, a Chinese action thriller in which she excelled opposite Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick. And even more excitingly she’s just finished shooting the highly anticipated Netflix series Marco Polo (set to air December 12th at 12.01 am!) in which she plays Kokachin, the beautiful Blue Princess who falls madly in love with the ancient explorer. On the cusp of being catapulted to the glittering heights of fame, we caught up with the actress to talk about Woody Allen, Wes Anderson, and why she wouldn’t watch one of her sex scenes with her parents.
Why did you decide to go from electric engineering to the world of acting?
My dad always wanted me to be an electric engineer. It’s a traditional Chinese thing; you either do that or go to law school. I played piano when I was little and acted in plays, and I knew that was my passion from a very early age. After I graduated from college, my father began to trust me more and I got to choose what I wanted to do.
How did you get involved with MTV?
They were doing this new talent search at MTV, a singing contest. I took first place in Beijing and came third in the national final. That’s how they knew who I was and then when they had a new TV show where the host had to be bilingual, they called me up.
How does hosting compare to acting? Do they require some of the same skills?
Hosting is very different, as you’re being yourself and interviewing other people, and focusing on them. But in acting it’s the opposite, you’re someone else and you’re completely focusing on yourself to create a new character.
Why did you choose acting over singing?
Singing has always been my hobby and I’m going to do it for the rest of my life. But acting is a more serious job. When I retire I’d like to perform in a pub.
Which actresses did you admire most when you were growing up?
I loved Meryl Streep, Barbara Streisand, Kate Winslet and Mildred Pierce.
You’ve acted in both Chinese and English language films, which do you feel most comfortable doing?
I’m comfortable with both. In fact, I’m looking forward to taking on more challenging roles. In China I’ve always played ancient characters like princesses while in modern Chinese films the characters are always fashionable modern girls. But I’ve never played a country girl with no education. I’d like to do more of that.
Do you see your work in Chinese speaking films as being separate to that of the English speaking films, or do you see it as belonging to the same oeuvre?
I never thought about it that much until one day I was at my friend’s house and they wanted to introduce me to this guy and they were messing around and started playing some of my shows but at the same time, and that’s when I realised, ”oh my God these characters are totally different people.” Especially when they put clips of my English speaking parts with Chinese ones. When you speak different languages your body language is totally different.
What would be your dream role?
I love Factory Girl and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I’d like to play women with more depth to them.
Girls with issues, basically…
Yes! Girls with issues. I was talking to one of my favourite Chinese actors and directors Jiang Wen, and he said when he first saw me he thought I seemed very put together but that I have something mysterious or dark inside. I’d really like to play someone crazy or unhinged. Like a female version of Silent Hill.
What was it like making Marco Polo?
It was an amazing experience. It was great to work with Lorenzo Richelmy who plays Marco Polo. He’s a great actor.
He’s very dreamy…
Super attractive! The first time we met each other it was for a love scene. We thought we’d be really cool, but when we were actually there it was quite intense. But at the same time there was a feeling that we had each other’s backs. There was a real sense of team spirit.
What’s it like watching those saucier scenes back?
I’ve only seen the first two episodes, but I think it will be ok, I just won’t watch it with my parents! Fortunately all the love scenes are really artistic.
How would you describe your character, Kokachin?
She has a very complicated life and a mysterious history, and a complex range of thoughts and emotions. At the same time she’s just a girl who’s in love and would sacrifice a lot for it.
A lot of Chinese actors have said there aren’t enough roles available to them, other than ones that are specifically Chinese orientated, have you experienced that?
I think it’s getting better for Chinese actors. We now get to have real roles as opposed to being these China dolls, these symbols. Then again there are not many foreign parts in Chinese films… but I do think Marco Polo is something that is something that’s never been done before; it’s blended two different types of culture. Hopefully after this there will be more like it.
What would you like to do next?
I don’t have any boundaries, as long as it’s a good script, a good role and an interesting project then I’d like to do it. I would like to try theatre, maybe even experimental theatre.
Who would you most like to work with?
I’d love love love to work with Wes Anderson or Woody Allen.
Aside from Lorenzo, who would you like to play opposite you in some dreamy rom com?
Daniel Day Lewis! Or Colin Firth. I like guys who are a bit uptight and funny. Also James Franco is quite cool, he’s very awkward and funny.
Credits
Text Tish Weinstock
Photography Rosie Harriet Ellis