Zhou Xuan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zhou Xuan
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|---|---|
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| Born |
August 1, 1918 |
| Died | September 22, 1957 (aged 39) |
| Occupation | Singer, actress |
| Years active | 1932–1954 |
| Spouse(s) |
Yan Hua
(m. 1938; div. 1941)Tang Di
(m. 1951–1952) |
| Partner(s) | Shi Hui (1947–1948) Zhu Huaide (1948–1950) |
| Children |
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| Musical career | |
| Also known as | Golden Voice (Chinese: 金嗓子; pinyin: Jīn sǎng zi) |
| Origin | Shanghai |
| Genres | Shidaiqu |
Zhou Xuan (born Su Pu; August 1, 1918 – September 22, 1957) was a famous Chinese singer and movie star. People also knew her as Chow Hsuan. By the 1940s, she was one of China's Seven Great Singing Stars. She was the most famous of them all. People called her the "Golden Voice" because of her amazing singing. She also had a successful movie career until 1954. Zhou Xuan recorded over 200 songs. She appeared in more than 40 movies during her career.
Contents
Early Life of Zhou Xuan
Zhou Xuan was born Su Pu. She was separated from her birth parents when she was very young. She was then raised by people who adopted her. Zhou Xuan spent her whole life trying to find her biological parents. But she never found them while she was alive.
When she was 3 years old, a relative took her to another city. They sold her to a family named Wang. This family named her Wang Xiaohong. Later, she was adopted by a family named Zhou. Her name then changed to Zhou Xiaohong.
At 13, she chose Zhou Xuan as her stage name. The name 'Xuan' (璇) means beautiful jade in Chinese.
Zhou Xuan's Career
In 1932, Zhou Xuan started acting. She joined a group called Li Jinhui's Bright Moon Song and Dance Troupe. When she was 14, she won second prize in a singing contest in Shanghai. This is when she got her nickname, "Golden Voice" (金嗓子). She earned it because she could sing high notes so easily.
Zhou Xuan began her movie career in 1935. She became a big star in 1937. This happened when director Yuan Muzhi chose her for a main role. She played a singing girl in the movie Street Angel. Zhou quickly became the most popular singer. She sang many famous songs from her own movies.
Between 1946 and 1950, she often went to Hong Kong. There, she made movies like "All-Consuming Love" and "Rainbow Song". After singing "Shanghai Nights" in 1949, Zhou returned to Shanghai.
She made 43 movies in total. Her favorite movie was always Street Angel. This movie had two popular songs: "Four Seasons Song" and "The Wandering Songstress". These songs are still loved today. Other well-known songs by Zhou Xuan include "When Will You Return?" and "Shanghai Nights."
Later Life and Passing
In 1957, Zhou Xuan passed away in Shanghai. She was 39 years old. She had been unwell for some time. Her diary suggests she suffered from a brain illness.
Zhou Xuan's Cultural Legacy
Even today, Zhou Xuan's songs are still very popular. You can find them in many collections of old Chinese pop music.
Two books have been written about Zhou Xuan's life. Her son, Zhou Wei, wrote My Mother Zhou Xuan with his wife. Another book, Zhou Xuan Diary, was written by Zhou Min.
Television Shows About Zhou Xuan
In 1989, a TV show called Song Bird was made by TVB. It was about Zhou Xuan's life. Adia Chan played Zhou Xuan in the show. Leon Lai played her boyfriend. In this series, Zhou Xuan's songs were sung in Cantonese.
Another TV show about Zhou Xuan was called Zhou Xuan. It starred Cecilia Cheung. This version was based on Zhou Wei's book. However, Zhou Wei said this show did not truly represent his mother's life.
See also
In Spanish: Zhou Xuan para niños
