Huang Xiaoming: “‘Shanghai Bund’ Gave Me Depression”

Success didn’t come easy for Huang Xiaoming (黄晓明). The 38-year-old Chinese actor, one of the highest-paid actors in the country, suffered several years of depression before getting his big  critical break in 2013’s American Dreams in China <中国合伙人>.

“I didn’t think I’d be able to do the role justice,” said Xiaoming, referring to his role as Hui Man-keung in the 2007 Chinese adaptation of the famous 1980 Hong Kong television drama, The Bund <上海灘>. “I knew I wouldn’t be able to surpass Chow Yun-fat (周潤發). I was in so much pressure. Filming took nearly half a year too. I didn’t socialize with anyone. I just stood there and stared blankly into space.”

In 2008, Xiaoming was invited to sing “One World One Dream”, one of the theme songs to the Beijing Olympics. Xiaoming’s poor English pronunciation, most famously his cringe-worthy pronunciation of “not at all”, became a laughingstock amongst netizens. Xiaoming said he couldn’t keep his head up when he walked outside. He couldn’t look people straight in the eye, as he felt like they would laugh at him if he did.

“I realized I couldn’t live like this any longer,” said Xiaoming. “I went to the doctor and they prescribed me some medicine. I had to get through this. But I did not rely on medication in the end. I lessened my workload. I refused to read the news or go on Weibo. I spent more time with my family and friends. They helped me get through this. It wasn’t until after I won awards for American Dreams in China when I knew how to relax.”

Source: Oriental Daily

This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.