You remember that scene. The lollipop. The silent, tearful gaze. When Stephen Chow released his masterpiece in 2004, everyone was asking the same thing: who is the Kung Fu Hustle actress playing the mute candy seller? Her name is Eva Huang (Huang Shengyi), and for a moment, she was the "it" girl of Asian cinema. She had that "Sing Girl" magic—the term used for actresses handpicked by Chow to become overnight icons. Think Shu Qi or Karen Mok.
But then, things got weird. Really weird.
Instead of a decades-long collaboration, their relationship imploded in a flurry of lawsuits and public accusations. It’s one of the most dramatic "what happened" stories in Hong Kong cinema history. If you've ever wondered why she didn't become the next global superstar like Zhang Ziyi, the answer involves a messy contract dispute, a billionaire husband, and a pivot to reality TV that most Western fans completely missed.
The "Sing Girl" Curse and the Rise of Eva Huang
Stephen Chow has a type. Not in a creepy way, but in a cinematic one. He loves the "pure" look—actresses who can convey deep emotion with almost no dialogue. Eva Huang fit this to a T. She was a student at the Beijing Film Academy when she was cast as Fong. Honestly, it was a dream debut. Kung Fu Hustle wasn't just a movie; it was a cultural phenomenon that raked in over $100 million globally at a time when that was massive for a foreign language film.
She was everywhere.
The Kung Fu Hustle actress was suddenly the face of a thousand brands. But the honeymoon didn't last. By 2005, the relationship between Huang and Chow’s company, Star Overseas, turned toxic. The breaking point? A suggestive photo shoot she did with For Him Magazine (FHM).
Star Overseas claimed the shoot "damaged her pure image." Huang countered by saying the company was treating her like a slave, forcing her into contracts and neglecting her career. She held a tearful press conference—a classic move in the C-drama world—and announced she was suing to terminate her contract.
It was a bold move. Most young stars wouldn't dare cross Stephen Chow. He’s the "King of Comedy," but he's also known for being an incredibly difficult boss. People in the industry still talk about his perfectionism.
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Life After Stephen Chow: The Yang Zi Era
After the dust settled on the lawsuit, Eva Huang didn't exactly go broke. She met Yang Zi. No, not the famous actress Yang Zi, but the billionaire executive of the China Juli Group.
This is where her career gets interesting and, frankly, a bit confusing for casual observers. Yang Zi became her manager, her frequent co-star, and eventually, her husband. They kept the marriage a secret for years. Why? Because the internet is a judgmental place, and rumors about "third parties" were flying everywhere.
They finally came clean in 2015.
During this middle period, the Kung Fu Hustle actress was working constantly, but the quality was... hit or miss. She starred in The Sorcerer and the White Snake (2011) alongside Jet Li. It was a big-budget CGI spectacle. It made money, sure, but it lacked the soul of her debut. She was no longer the "mute girl" from the slums; she was a polished, high-fashion star.
Many critics argue that separating from Stephen Chow was the worst thing for her artistry. Chow knew how to frame her. Without his direction, she often felt like just another beautiful face in a sea of C-list historical dramas. It’s a common trap. You trade creative control for financial independence.
The Reality TV Pivot
If you haven't seen her lately, it's probably because she’s transitioned into the world of Chinese variety shows. This is where modern Chinese stars go to stay relevant once the big film roles dry up.
In 2020, she appeared on Sisters Who Make Waves. It’s a survival show where seasoned female celebrities compete to form a girl group. It was a massive hit. But Eva became the "villain" of the season for many viewers. People called her out for having a "princess" attitude—there’s a famous clip of another contestant carrying her shoes for her.
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She leaned into it.
Whether it was clever editing or her actual personality, she became the talk of Weibo. She was no longer the innocent girl with the lollipop. She was a wealthy, confident, and slightly polarizing matriarch.
What the Kung Fu Hustle Actress Is Doing in 2026
Fast forward to today. Eva Huang is more of a business mogul than a full-time actress. Along with her husband, she’s a powerhouse in the live-streaming commerce space.
If you go on Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok), you might see her selling high-end skincare or household goods. It sounds like a step down, doesn't it? In the West, we think of "QVC" as where careers go to die. In China, it’s a multi-billion dollar industry. Top celebrities can make more in one four-hour stream than they do from an entire film shoot.
She’s also been more selective with her roles. She recently appeared in the drama Winter Begonia, which received decent reviews for its portrayal of Peking Opera. It showed she still has the acting chops when the material is right.
The Legacy of the Lollipop
It’s been over 20 years since Kung Fu Hustle. When you look at the cast now, it's a mix of tragedy and triumph. Yuen Wah (The Landlord) is still a legend. Yuen Qiu (The Landlady) basically retired.
But Eva Huang remains the most debated figure from that cast. She represents the "First Generation" of modern Chinese stars who tried to break the studio system. She fought the biggest name in the business and won her freedom, even if it cost her the "prestige" of being a top-tier film actress.
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Was it worth it? From a financial standpoint, absolutely. She’s one of the wealthiest women in the Chinese entertainment industry. From a legacy standpoint, it’s complicated. Fans still leave comments on her social media about the "silent girl." They miss the vulnerability she showed in 2004.
How to Follow Her Career Today
If you want to keep up with the Kung Fu Hustle actress, you have to look beyond IMDB.
- Watch her "Sisters" run: Find subbed clips of Sisters Who Make Waves Season 1. It’s the best way to see her actual personality.
- Check out The Sorcerer and the White Snake: It's her biggest "post-Chow" international film. The VFX are dated, but her performance is solid.
- Social Media: She is incredibly active on Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book). She posts a lot of lifestyle content, fashion, and "day in the life" videos.
The lesson here is simple. In the entertainment industry, talent gets you in the door, but the "business" is what keeps the lights on. Eva Huang chose the business. She walked away from the visionary who made her famous to build her own empire. You might not like the movies she’s made since, but you have to respect the hustle.
If you're looking for that same spark she had in 2004, go back and re-watch the final scene of Kung Fu Hustle. The way she smiles when she sees the "young" Sing? That wasn't just acting. That was a star being born. Even if she took a different path than we expected, that moment is frozen in cinematic history forever.
Next Steps for Fans
To truly appreciate her range, your next move should be watching Winter Begonia. It’s a stark contrast to her work with Stephen Chow and proves she can handle complex, mature roles outside of the "ingenue" trope. If you’re interested in the business side of fame, look up the Juli Group—the company she helps run. It gives you a much clearer picture of why she doesn't need to chase Hollywood blockbusters anymore. She’s doing just fine on her own terms.