Michelle Chen

Biography

Michelle Chen Yanxi, born Chen Mei-hsuan, is a Taiwanese actress and singer. Chen rose to fame for her role in the 2011 film You Are the Apple of My Eye, which broke box office records for Taiwanese films in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Her other notable works include films Hear Me (2009), Badges of Fury (2013), Pali Road (2015), as well as TV series The Romance of the Condor Heroes (2014), Teresa Teng (2024), and Sniper Butterfly (2025).

Early life and education

Chen was born and raised in Taipei. She has an older sister. After middle school, she attended the college-preparatory school Southwestern Academy in San Marino, California. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in business administration in 2005.
In 2006, while visiting family in Taiwan, Chen caught the eye of producer and manager Angie Chai (柴智屏). Chen wanted to break into music at the time, but due to the slow growth of the industry, was persuaded instead by Chai to start her career in acting.

Career

Chen signed a contract with the company Comic Dialogue Theme by Angie Chai. Initially she wanted to be a singer, but the company wanted her to try to advance in the field of cinema. She therefore played supporting roles in several films and television series and caught attention for her lovely and cute looks, but did not leave much impression.
In 2009, she starred in the movie Hear Me as a swimming athlete with hearing disabilities. Her acting captured people's hearts and helped her clinch the nomination for the "Best New Actress Award" at the 46th Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards.
In 2011, after seeing success with her debut film Hear Me, Chen starred in the hit Taiwanese film You Are the Apple of My Eye (2011). The film was written and directed by Giddens Ko, produced by Angie as executive, and based on Ko's novel. In the film, Chen plays the role of Shen Chia-yi. The film broke records at the box office, becoming the 4th highest grossing domestic Taiwanese film. In the film's soundtrack, she also wrote and sang the song Haiziqi (孩子氣). For her performance in the film, Chen was also nominated for a "Best Actress" award at the 46th Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards.
In 2013, due to the success of You Are the Apple of My Eye, Michelle Chen was cast in the lead role of the film Badges of Fury starring Jet Li, Donnie Yen and Simon Yam. In May 2013, Chen released her debut album Me, Myself, and I×Me, Myself, and I10 May 2013 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1叔公的小城故事3:292Clueless Boy3:353Sorry3:084懸崖上的玫瑰3:375直覺3:156Beautiful3:267方向3:498I Lost My Sanity3:139微光4:3210Dear Friend3:06. Including some self-composed songs, the album received an average response from critics and music listeners.
In 2014, after termination of the contract with the company Comic Voice Tri in 2012, Chen was cast as Xiaolongnü in The Romance of the Condor Heroes. Her casting announcement was met with widespread opposition from the public, with criticisms leveled at her appearance, which is not as light and angelic as the description of Xiaolongnu in the book.
In 2015, Michelle Chen starred in two new series. In the movie Young For You, she played the role of Qiu Zi. In the TV series The Legend of Qin, she portrayed Rong Duanmu.
In 2016, she starred in Pali Road, where she played the role of Lily with actor Jackson Rathbone. The movie, filmed and set in Hawaii, United States.

Personal life

Chen's first boyfriend after entering the entertainment industry was a man by the name of Aron. Both had studied in the U.S. and returned to Taiwan in 2006. After a relationship of 1 year and 4 months, they broke up during Christmas the following year. Aron was later sentenced to 16 years for marijuana trafficking. Chen's single Sorry was written in memory of this relationship.
In 2010, Chen dated Alan Ko for eight months.
In 2015, Chen began dating her The Romance of the Condor Heroes co-star Chen Xiao. On July 5, 2016, they registered their marriage in the city of Beijing and held a wedding ceremony on July 19 at Yanqi Lake (雁栖湖) in Huairou, Beijing. They held the guining banquet (bridal visit to parents) in Chen's hometown of Taipei on July 21, 2016. Chen gave birth to their son in 2016, named Chen Muchen (陈睦辰). On 18 February 2025, the two announced that they were divorced.

Variety show

2011–12 Miss Traveler (WOMAN愛旅行) on Chinese Television System — co-host (3 episodes)
2015 Yes! Coach (报告！教练) on Dragon Television — reality show contestant