Sina reported on April 6 that actress Trương Ngọc has signed a contract with a media company, sparking public interest in her entertainment career. Trương Ngọc may not be a well-known star, but she once dominated a major role in a high-profile film in China.
The Steps to Stardom
According to Sohu, Trương Ngọc was born in 1976, with long black hair and an eye-catching appearance that led her to be chosen for a commercial of the Hong Kong beauty brand Lưu Độc Hoa. Through this opportunity, Trương Ngọc realized she had the potential to pursue acting.
In 1996, she moved to Beijing to seek opportunities. To support her living expenses, Trương Ngọc also worked in a karaoke bar, where she was praised for her singing talent. As a result, she participated in several singing contests to showcase her skills.
However, Trương Ngọc faced difficulties in landing acting roles. She had once been suggested by a film director to consider more minor roles, but at that time, she felt that such a move would be a tough compromise. More than a year later, after not appearing on screen, Trương Ngọc finally accepted an offer for a supporting role in a film.
However, after developing a romantic relationship with the male lead, he did not pressure her to take on more significant roles. She once worked on a film that was primarily focused on their personal relationship, and both expressed that their connection was purely personal.
After being overlooked, Trương Ngọc did not want to give up on her career and continued to make several missteps. By 1999, she finally got her first leading role in the film Hoàng Đế Đại Thanh Mông Cổ, which marked her entry into the “successful” path. Following that, she starred in various films such as Vương Triều Khang Hi, Lam Sắc Yêu Sơ, and more.
Trương Ngọc accepts the role despite being pressured to gain fame
However, Trương Ngọc’s performances and appearance have not received much acclaim, and despite her bold decision to share the stage with male actors, she only received minor roles because “the actors did not adhere to the unsaid rules.” Each year, she still had to “audition” for supporting roles, secondary roles, and production assistant positions.
In 2002, Trương Ngọc met renowned filmmaker Hoàng Kiến Trung (known for works like Tỉu Ngạo Giang Hồ 2001, Màu Nghi Thiên Hạ). She finally had the opportunity to work with Hoàng Kiến Trung, but after getting to know each other, they developed a romantic relationship. However, Hoàng Kiến Trung did not intend to help Trương Ngọc in her career.
Hoàng Kiến Trung’s rejection left Trương Ngọc feeling disheartened. Four years later, she was still struggling to find opportunities, but the results remained that of an unknown actress.
Thus, by 2003, Trương Ngọc confessed to the press about her experience working with 30 male actors, producers, and officials regarding the challenges she faced in her career. Being a female actor who had to navigate the hidden rules regarding taking roles led to her becoming a target for criticism.
“I was in the entertainment industry for four years, and my roles were always limited by my physical appearance,” she said. “Every year, I had to audition for 30 roles because I didn’t fit the unsaid rules. Being eliminated from lists because I was not suitable was quite frustrating,” Trương Ngọc said.
Are Female Actors Always at Fault?
Trương Ngọc’s revelations have ignited a wave of discussions, making headlines and causing a stir across social media, leading to numerous controversies. When Trương Ngọc spoke up, she did not hold back, becoming the target of public critique.
Hoàng Kiến Trung, Trương Kỳ Trung, Vân Tuyền, and other prominent actors have also criticized Trương Ngọc. Hoàng Kiến Trung has distanced himself from the accusations that he has such behavior, while Vân Tuyền has accused Trương Ngọc of being overly ambitious, using the media to gain fame (a common saying in China).
Wealthy heir Vương Sóc, a well-known investor in the entertainment industry, commented, “If you lack strength and do not have connections, then it is usual to be disregarded.”
However, there are also many who believe that Trương Ngọc was misunderstood, yet she continues to face criticism, and her plight remains a topic of discussion in the entertainment circle.
Many people consider her at fault for bravely confronting the entertainment industry
To prove her point, Trương Ngọc has released over 20 different controversial clips: “Why should female actors remain silent when they face such situations? I was compelled to audition for roles to secure work. Because life is a constant struggle, I had to prepare myself for the worst,” Trương Ngọc admitted her mistakes without denying the misconduct of other prominent figures in the entertainment sector.
However, many actors have rebutted that Trương Ngọc should not be blamed, as the pressure to conform to the industry standards often leads to challenges in securing roles for female actors, creating a negative impact on their reputation. Consequently, Trương Ngọc has struggled and faced rejection in the entertainment industry for over 20 years.
As a persistent actress, she has faced numerous challenges and has seen her name overshadowed by the unspoken rules in the entertainment industry. No production team is willing to offer her a role anymore. Therefore, when given the chance to return, Trương Ngọc stated, “Finally, justice has come to me.”
