Liu Shishi (born 10 March 1987), also known as Cecilia Liu, is a Chinese actress best known for portraying Long Kui in the fantasy action drama Chinese Paladin 3 (2009) and Ruoxi in the Chinese time-travel drama Scarlet Heart (2011). Her other notable works include The Legend of the Condor Heroes (2008), The Imperial Doctress (2016), and A Journey to Love (2023).

Career

2005–2010: Beginnings and Rising popularity

Professionally trained in ballet at the Beijing Dance Academy, Liu Shishi made her acting debut in a leading role in the television drama series The Moon and the Wind (2005), which included a specially designed segment of Swan Lake. She then starred in wuxia drama The Young Warriors (2006) and shenmo television series The Fairies of Liaozhai (2007). In 2007, Liu graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy and was signed on by Tangren Media. She gained recognition for her roles as Mu Nianci in the wuxia drama The Legend of the Condor Heroes (2008) and as Long Kui in the fantasy action drama Chinese Paladin 3 (2009). In 2010, Liu starred in the historical drama A Weaver on the Horizon, based on the life story of Huang Daopo.

2011–2012: Breakthrough and venture into films

In 2011, Liu starred alongside Wallace Huo in period action drama The Vigilantes In Masks, which received positive reviews. She then played the female protagonist, Ruoxi, in the time travel historical romance series, Scarlet Heart, based on the novel Bu Bu Jing Xin by Tong Hua. Scarlet Heart became a megahit in China and beyond. Liu bagged several awards at local award-giving bodies for her performance, including Most Popular Actress awards at the China TV Drama Awards and Shanghai Television Festival. The drama has since been adapted into Korean and Thai versions. Liu followed her TV success with several big screen roles. She made her feature film debut in The Next Miracle (2012), directed by Taiwanese filmmaker Zhuo Li. She also filmed two other movies, Sad Fairy Tale and A Moment of Love. In 2012, Liu starred in action drama Xuan-Yuan Sword: Scar of Sky, adapted from the video game of the same name. The series topped TV ratings and garnered 2 billion views online. Liu's soaring popularity due to Scarlet Heart in 2011 coupled with Xuan-Yuan Sword: Scar of Sky in 2012 allowed her to become the "Golden Eagle Goddess" at the 9th China Golden Eagle TV Art Festival. She was also chosen by Southern Metropolis Daily as one of the new Four Dan Actresses alongside Angelababy, Yang Mi and Ni Ni.

2013–present: Mainstream popularity

In 2013, Liu starred in action comedy Badges of Fury alongside Jet Li. She then starred in wuxia film Brotherhood of Blades, alongside Taiwanese actor Chang Chen, for which Liu was nominated for Best Actress at the China Film Directors' Guild Awards. In 2014, Liu starred in the historical romance drama Sound of the Desert, based on the novel Ballad of the Desert written by Tong Hua. The series topped television and web ratings domestically, and was also well-received overseas. Liu then starred in romance film Five Minutes to Tomorrow playing dual roles. She and co-stars Haruma Miura and Joseph Chang attended the 19th Busan International Film Festival for the premiere of the film, where she received the Asia Star Award. In 2016, Liu headlined the historical drama The Imperial Doctress, based on the life of Tan Yunxian, a female physician during China's Ming Dynasty. The drama topped television ratings its run and received positive reviews, and Liu won the Most Influential Actress award at 1st China Television Drama Quality Ceremony for her performance. In 2017, Liu starred along actors Wang Qianyuan and Cao Bingkun in the spy drama The Battle at Dawn. The year also saw her long-overdue romance drama Angelo, which was shot in 2011, air. In it, she played a young single mother opposite Ming Dao. Liu then starred in historical fantasy drama Lost Love in Times alongside William Chan, as well as the crime suspense film The Liquidator where she played a palaeoichnology expert. In 2019, Liu starred in the romance melodrama If I Can Love You So alongside Tong Dawei. The series has previously completed filming in 2016. The same year, she announced her comeback after two years with the female-centric modern drama To Dear Myself.

Personal life

Liu Shishi's grandfather, Liu Tianli, was a performance artist of Xihe Dagu ballad. Both of Liu's parents had been factory workers. Liu's mother retired early for health reasons, while her father later became a businessman. Liu married her Scarlet Heart co-star Nicky Wu on January 20, 2015 and their wedding ceremony was held in Bali, Indonesia on March 20, 2016. On April 27, 2019, Liu gave birth to a son, nicknamed BuBu after Scarlet Heart (Bubu Jingxin).

Filmography

Film

Short film

Television series

Music video

Discography

Awards and nominations

2020|Cosmo Glam Night

Forbes China Celebrity 100