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'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 Year Title Role Notes 2006 The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng Sun Xiuqing Television film2012 The Next Miracle Li Jiayi Sad Fairy Tale Yang Jia 2013 Badges of Fury Liu Jingshui A Moment of Love Ji Yaqing 2014 Brotherhood of Blades Zhou Miaotong Five Minutes to Tomorrow Ruo Lan / Ru Mei 2017 The Liquidator Mi Nan 2021 1921 Soong Ching-ling Cameo 2026 Scare Out Xiao Yu
Short film Year Title Role 2009 Dream Zhu Xian Liu Xiaoxiao / Mo Li / Zhen'er 2011 Dream Back to Mount Deer Suo Feiya 2012 Coincidence Yao Bingbing 2013 Dreamers Celebrity
Television series Year Title Role Notes 2005 The Moon and the Wind Yang Fenghe / Yan Xiulian 2006 Flying Like a Butterfly Qi'er The Young Warriors Lady Luo 2007 The Fairies of Liaozhai Xin Shisiniang 2008 The Legend of the Condor HeroesMu Nianci2009 Chinese Paladin 3 Long Kui The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber Yellow Dress Maiden Special appearance 2010 Tale of the Oriental Serpent Yin Shuangshuang A Weaver on the Horizon Zhao Jiayi2011 The Vigilantes In Masks Yan Sanniang Scarlet Heart Ma'ertai Ruoxi / Zhang Xiao 2012 Xuan-Yuan Sword: Scar of Sky Taba Yu'er 2013 The Patriot Yue Fei Lady Yang Special appearance 2014 Scarlet Heart 2 Zhang Xiao / Lan Lan Sound of the Desert Xin Yue Incisive Great Teacher Lu Yunfei 2016 The Imperial Doctress Tan Yunxian Precious Youth Liu Ting 2017 The Battle at the Dawn Song Hongling AngeloLi Xiaohan Lost Love in Times Feng Qingchen Co-producer2019 If I Can Love You So Bai Kao'er 2020To Dear MyselfLi SiyuMy Best Friend's StoryJiang Nansun 2023A Journey to LoveRen Ruyi2025Kill My SinsYe Ping'an Love in PavilionDongfang Huai Zhu
Music video appearances YearSong Title Singer Notes/2004 "The Night of Falling Flowers" Shao Bing "When the Wind is the Coldest" 2008 "Go and Love" Hu Ge 2009 "Love Until I Am Alone" Chen Long"Dare to Love" Hu Ge 2011 "I Am Not Going to be a Hero"
Discography Year English title Chinese title Album Notes/2011 "Season of Waiting" Scarlet Heart OST 2016 "Holding Hands" with Nicky Wu 2017 "He Zhe Ban Ruo" The Liquidator OST
Accolades Awards and nominations Major awards YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult 2012 18th Shanghai Television Festival Most Popular Actress Scarlet Heart Best Actress 9th China Golden Eagle TV Art Festival Golden Eagle Goddess 8th Huading Awards Best Actress (Ancient Drama) Scarlet Heart Best New Actress Actress with the Most Media Popularity 2014 19th Busan International Film Festival Asian Star Award 6th Macau International Movie Festival Best Actress Five Minutes to Tomorrow 2015 6th China Film Directors' Guild Awards Best Actress Brotherhood of Blades 15th Huading Awards Best Actress (TV) Scarlet Heart 2 201722nd Huading Awards Best ActressThe Imperial Doctress2019 Golden Bud - The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival Best ActressIf I Can Love You So 2011Grand Ceremony of New Forces Most Anticipated Actress by the Media Scarlet Heart Sohu Internet TV Festival Most Popular Actress Best On-screen Couple (with Nicky Wu) 2nd China Student Television Festival Most Popular Actress Nanning Television Festival Audience's Favorite Actress 2011 Tudou Video Marketing Award Ceremony Most Popular Actress Youku Television Awards Actress with the Most Ratings Appeal 8th Esquire Man At His Best Awards Most Popular Female Artist 3rd China TV Drama Awards Media Recommendation Award 2012 5th DMA (DienAnh.Net Movie Awards) Most Popular Actress (Mainland China) 3rd LeTV Entertainment Awards Most Commercially Valuable Actress 4th China TV Drama Awards Most Popular Actress Xuan-Yuan Sword: Scar of Sky 2013 BQ Celebrity Score Awards Most Influential Hot Figure 2014 Weibo Awards Night Weibo Queen Weibo Goddess 8th Baidu Fudian Awards Most Popular Female Artiste 6th China TV Drama Awards Most Commercially Valuable Actress 2016 1st China Television Drama Quality Ceremony Most Influential Actress The Imperial Doctress 5th iQIYI All-Star Carnival Best Actress (TV) Baidu EntertainmentFigure of the Year 20172nd China Television Drama Quality CeremonyMost Influential Actress 2018Weibo Awards NightWeibo Goddess 2019 Cosmo Glam Night Person of the Year (Dream) rowspan=2 2020
Forbes China Celebrity 100 YearRank 201299th 201357th 2014 25th 2015 30th201719th202029th
Fashion In October 2017, Liu was appointed as the global ambassador for Omega. In November, at the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing, Omega warmly celebrated her joining the Omega family during the launch event of the new Constellation 27mm limited edition watch series.
In June 2024, Liu was appointed as the global brand ambassador for Bobbi Brown.
In December 2024, Liu was appointed as the global brand ambassador for Celine. In April 2025, she unveiled Zhangyuan Pop-up of Celine in Shanghai.
References
External links
Liu Shishi's Weibo