Michelle Ye Attributes Career Success to Ambition and Opportunity
Michelle Ye (葉璇) has broken the boundaries of a traditional entertainment career, rising from pageant queen to proud owner of a production studio in a little over a decade. Her most talked-about investment, Loved in the Purple <紫釵奇緣>, recently made its Hong Kong debut on TVB Jade. While some call this Michelle’s triumphant return to the home station that started it all, the 33-year-old believes that TVB is just one of many valuable rest stops that led her to today’s successful career.
Born in Hangzhou, China, Michelle remained in mainland until her parents’ divorce and immigrated to the United States when she was ten years old. A strong and independent spirit, Michelle was already living on her own before turning sixteen. Reflecting on her childhood, Michelle believes that her parents had a hand in shaping her perfectionist tendencies. “Since I began going to school, my parents had always wanted me to be number one in the class. Over time, I developed very high standards for myself as well. My philosophy is to do my absolute best in everything, no matter how small or insignificant it is. I am only able to take my current step because of this way of thinking….”
At 19, Michelle won the title of Miss Chinese International and officially entered the entertainment industry. She agrees that TVB gave her many valuable learning experiences, and is grateful for the opportunity. “TVB is my mentor. TVB helped plant the seeds of much of my knowledge about films and television. My current collaboration with them is a form of repayment for their kindness.”
After starring in several popular productions, Michelle left TVB in 2005 to pursue a career in film and in mainland. She believes that taking the right opportunities has definitely pushed her career along. “The opportunity came, and I took it. I switched from TVB to Media Asia to make movies only because Wong Jing (王晶) and Peter Lam (林建岳) reached out to me. TVB’s executives were also very supportive, so I went. As far as going to mainland, I have always been a mainlander so returning to China is a very logical step.”
Despite being a successful actress, Michelle struggled with the limitations of her occupation and wished for more responsibilities. She eventually branched out into production, starting her own production studio while also acting as vice president and chairwoman of several prominent film and media associations in mainland. Michelle finds a new sense of joy working behind the scenes, and hopes to use her new role as a platform to ignite social change. “Since I entered the industry, I never thought being an actor is all that great. Actors have very limited powers when it comes to motivating change in this industry. The ones who truly hold this power are the producers and publishers. I want to do things that can influence others as well as myself. When the audience watch our dramas, they will at the very least gain some insights about their views on life. To be honest, I am already able to comfortably provide for myself and my family just by being an actor. However, I haven’t truly lived until I have experienced all the ups and downs of life.”
Source: ihktv.com
This article is written by Katrine for JayneStars.com.
beautiful picture of michelle!!!
sultry !
Wow, she looks hot in the pic…….but with a touch of class too!
One may or may not feel she is a good actress but she is definitely an intelligent woman and an extremely successful business woman.
Acting is subjective and that goes for everyone… Totally agree that she is a very intelligent woman. Also, I think she made the right choices as well. There is no doubt that she had connections and good timing as well. That is required for success in any field.
Looking at it now, it was a good decision but at the moment, it was really risky. She’s intelligent and beautiful. In terms of her acting, there’s not a single series i would criticize her in. She’s overall above average and one of the few actress that can speak her lines well.
Myolie wouldn’t be in her position if Michelle stayed with TVB.
Actually – her least favorite series was Golden Faith but she barely got a chance to showcase herself. They focused on Jessica Hsuan the whole time, which I am also glad b/c JH and Gallen’s chemistry was awesome in Golden Faith
Let’s be real here. TVB demoted Michelle to supporting bc she wouldn’t renew her contract. At the time, it wasn’t completely a bad thing because less work at TVB = more work outside. That’s why Michelle had time to film The World’s Finest where she met other producers.
I agree with pandamao that it was risky considering Michelle didn’t really have any “connections” at the time. She was struggling to gain recognition.
I do believe that Michelle would have been leading the younger generation had she stayed. I could see TVB promoting her and Raymond as the “golden couple” following the success of Louis and Jessica.
Yes to risky but I guess when you hit the right timing everything goes your way and of course you need wits too. And Michelle definitely has that.
I faintly recall the media lashing at her for leaving TVB when she turned to movies. Something about producers and co-workers disliking her and her movies were no good. I hope Michelle is laughing at their faces right now, cause I am.
Michelle Ye was fighting for her status when she was with TVB, but TVB chose to promote Charmaine Sheh instead.
If she stayed with TVB, she should be way above Myolie Wu now, and maybe right next to Charmaine Sheh.
No, she was not fighting for her status. I believe when she came out of miss international, she only signed a 3-4 year contract. I am not too sure of the exact number but the amount of years shouldnt be that big.
But anyways, when her contract was near the end she had already hinted she would not stay. TVB would never waste time on somone who isnt going to stay with them long term.
And with Charmaine, she had all the reason to keep signing her contracts with TVB. All her female seniors were quitting left and right… she be kind of dumb to not stay. But shes a mastermind on the TVB chess board. Lol.
I read a lot of gossips and rumours in entertainment magazines about Michelle Ye and Charmaine Sheh when they were with TVB. I don’t know if they were true or not, but Michelle Ye did try to outshine Charmaine Sheh, but she did not seem to succeed. Her acting was not that great at that time.
Indeed! Also, at least Michelle didn’t force herself into the music industry. I’ll give her that too.
she did sing the subtheme to “loved in the purple” which i thought did not sound very good.
Michelle has and perhaps always will be my favourite TVB actress. She’s truly inspirational and a wonderful person to idolise. You can learn so much just by reading about her. Imagine what you could do if you emulated her steps. She’s brilliant.
Curious, she moved to the States at age 10, why does she still have a strong Chinese accent when she speaks English? Did she grow up in a heavily Chinese speaking community then?
It’s not that she was born in a heavily speaking community. I think it has to do with which language was her first tongue. Like my god sister, she came to the states at around age 8-9, but because she spoke all Chinese at home…when she made the transition here.. she speaks fluently as in everything is grammatically correct but you still hear that accent.
It usually means they hang out with other Chinese people at school and play.
I don’t know why you were curious. Nothing is really curious at all. Yes, she has a strong chinese accent, but at least she can speak. Many chinese people born and raised in english-speaking countries can’t really speak english, let alone having no accent. Go to San Francisco and see it by yourself instead of staying at home 24/7. The world is still a big place.
I don’t expect her English to be accent-free when she lives in HK for over 10+ years. I do notice that her English is not as good as when she first debut. Michelle was one of the few MCI who didn’t have trouble with Cantonese. She’s also fluent in Mandarin and she speaks a little French.
As per Wikipedia, Michelle Ye was born in Hangzhou, China. Michelle’s parents divorced when she was 9 years old. Her mother no longer wanted to care for her and instead wanted her father to know what it was like to take care of their child. At the age of 10, her father brought her and her paternal grandparents to come live with him in New York. Therefore, Michelle spent her first 10 years in Hangzhou, China, and not in Hong Kong. She then lived with her paternal grandparents in New York. However, her grandparents could not acclimate to the new environment and returned to China. Michelle stayed with her father until age 13 and moved out to live by herself.
She attended John Dewey High School. While there, she learned to speak Cantonese from a classmate. Her native tongue should be Mandarin.
^ I meant ever since she joined TVB. She lived in HK for 10+ years. Not sure where she currently resides now. But, I recalled watching a clip of Michelle speaking English when she first debut. There’s a slight accent and not as strong now. I’m not surprised since Michelle speaks Cantonese/Mandarin 99% of the time due to the nature of her work.
Definitely enjoy her acting, please comeback to TVB (: Does anyone know how tall she is by the way?
At least 5’3-5’4.
Profile says 5’5.
I tend to always deduct 1-2 inches from their profiles just to be safe. Heh.
A truly determined, gritty and successful woman, and with her vision go beyond merely acting , and to influence and progress the film industry, she certainly have a very noble job in front of her, one in which i know she will most certainly succeed.
This is where a strong attitude and ambitious personality is more important and life changing than just plain intelligence (though she has lots of that too), giving her the mark of entrepreneurship to effect social change.
Bravo, Michelle. You are one good role model, not just for the actresses out there, but for womankind.
michelle was good in her tv dramas but although she has been in lots of movies people don’t recognize her as a movie actress although she has paired with many a listers. i wouldn’t call her successful in movies but agree that she sounds like an intelligent and successful businesswoman
Beautiful Picture, always like her, quite sad when she left TVB.
But glad that she’s doing GREAT now!
I think this is what fala aspires to be
Love this girl!!! So inspirational <3
Do not walk where the path might lead but leave a trail instead….