Tan Zhi Lei: After eating stinky tofu and spitting it onto her assistant's hand, she gets reminded by the app every night.

From being a name not typically associated with "traffic stars," Tan Zhi Lei has unexpectedly returned to the spotlight in recent days as a series of old stories about her have been unearthed, from her journey to success to controversies surrounding her behavior behind the scenes.

Interestingly, the image of an "international beauty queen" celebrated on the red carpet stands in stark contrast to what the public has witnessed in everyday life.

Born in 1986 in Heilongjiang, Xin Zhilei grew up in difficult family circumstances. Her childhood was not well-off, as her parents often worked far away, and she mainly lived with her grandmother. During her school years, the actress harbored a dream of pursuing a career in the arts, but the path ahead was far from smooth. According to many accounts, while in high school, she once went to audition for art school alone with only a small amount of money, attending auditions during the day and sleeping at the train station at night because she couldn't afford accommodation.

Difficulties continued to plague her when her family faced a crisis; her father became paralyzed after an accident, placing a heavy financial burden on the young woman. During her time in university, Tan Zhi Lei worked part-time to support herself and her family. After graduating, her journey into the entertainment industry was far from smooth. For many years, she only took on minor roles, even as an extra, and was repeatedly rejected from projects despite initial auditions.

At one point, the actress was so discouraged that she wanted to give up on her dream. But a turning point gradually appeared when she had the opportunity to participate in film projects and gain attention from professionals, especially after the film "The Yangtze River Map". From then on, Tan Zhi Lei gradually affirmed her acting abilities, although she is still not a big name in the market.

It wasn't until 2018, when she starred in the drama "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace," that her name truly became widely known to the public. Her portrayal of the cunning and shrewd Lady Jia helped Xin Zhilei make a strong impression thanks to her ability to convey the character's inner emotions through her eyes and expressions. Many believe she even stood out among the other talented actors in the series.

However, the actress's career path has been rather slow. While the Chinese entertainment industry favors young faces and appearances that conform to the "fair-skinned, slim, and youthful" ideal, Xin Zhilei has taken a different approach. She doesn't possess the kind of beauty that appeals to mainstream trends, nor does she belong to the group of stars with a large online following. This is why, despite her talent, she hasn't easily risen to the top.

However, in recent years, Tan Zhi Lei has unexpectedly made a breakthrough, achieving international success and even being mentioned as one of the rare faces in Chinese cinema to win top awards at major film festivals. This success has earned her the title of "Queen of the Screen" from the media, marking a major turning point after many years of struggling in her career.

However, alongside the glamour, the actress's past controversies have also been brought up again, causing public debate. One of the most controversial stories concerns her actions on set in 2019. While participating in a scene requiring her to eat stinky tofu, Tan Zhi Lei reportedly couldn't stand the smell of the food. After the scene ended, she casually spat the food she was chewing into her assistant's hand instead of finding a more appropriate way to handle it.

This action immediately drew strong criticism from the public. Many people felt that her behavior lacked tact and respect for others, especially the staff working behind the scenes. Some even questioned whether the actress had developed "star syndrome" for behaving inappropriately in a professional work environment.

The incident significantly impacted the image that Tan Zhi Lei had previously built. From an actress with an elegant and sophisticated demeanor, she became associated with negative comments about her attitude. This is also considered one of the reasons why her career development stalled for a period, even though her acting abilities were still highly regarded.

The contrast between Tan Zhi Lei's on-screen and off-screen image has therefore become a topic of discussion. On the international red carpet, she appears confident and elegant, representing the image of a successful star. But in her everyday life, behind-the-scenes stories reveal a different perspective, giving the public a more multifaceted view of the actress.

Nevertheless, it's undeniable that Tan Zhi Lei's journey to success is a prime example of perseverance in the highly competitive entertainment industry. From a poor girl who slept at a train station to pursue her dreams, to an actress who spent years playing supporting roles, then gradually establishing herself and winning international awards, her path was far from easy.

Currently, Tan Zhi Lei remains a name that receives public attention, not only for her talent but also for the controversies surrounding her life and behavior. For many viewers, she is proof that an actress can reach the top through her talent, but also needs to be careful in maintaining her personal image.

Therefore, Tan Zhi Lei's story is not just about her career journey, but also reflects a familiar reality of the entertainment industry: the spotlight always comes with pressure and scrutiny. Whether she can continue to maintain her position will partly depend on how she balances her talent and public image in the future.

Sun Li proves her status as a top-tier actress, while Yang Mi leaves many disappointed. JLO19:22:44 12/03/2026This victory is not only another title added to her already extensive collection of awards, but it is also seen by many as proof of the actress's enduring acting prowess after many years in the industry.