Zhao Ya Zhi: From flight attendant to Hong Kong screen icon

Zhao Ya Zhi, a prominent Hong Kong actress, singer, and MC, rose to fame after transitioning from a career as a flight attendant to pursue the arts. Her talent was first recognized when she placed as the second runner-up in the 1973 Miss Hong Kong pageant, which led to a collaboration with TVB.

In 1978, she became the first actress to portray the character Chu Zhi Ruo in the TVB production of ‘The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber’. Despite limitations in makeup technology at the time, her performance helped establish her as a leading star. Known as a ‘period drama beauty’ during her prime, she remained a top figure in the industry through the 1990s, appearing in notable works such as ‘Shanghai Bund’ (1980) and ‘The Legend of White Snake’ (1992).