Tan Zhuo told Sina on 10/9 that after winning Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival on 9/6, her phone was "blowing up" with messages. Zhou Xun was one of the first to congratulate her, and Tan Zhuo was touched by her colleague's sincerity.

Zhou Xun (left) and Tan Zhuo in "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace". Photo: Mtime

Zhou Xun (left) and Tan Zhuo in "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace". Photo: Mtime

Tan Zhuo earned the award for her performance in the film *The Sun Rises On Us All*. According to LTN, Zhou Xun was initially offered the lead role but declined, and Tan Zhuo replaced her. Following Tan Zhuo's win, many viewers mentioned Zhou Xun, suggesting she missed a valuable opportunity. Some commented that Zhou Xun's career has been less prominent in recent years, lacking impactful work.

Tan Zhuo expressed sadness at reading comments praising her while disparaging other actors. She believes the relationships between actors are healthy and not "as complicated or negative as some people think." She stated, "We all progress together, each relying on our own efforts to shine, so why not celebrate together?"

The two actresses previously starred together in the 2018 drama *Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace*, with Zhou Xun playing the empress and Tan Zhuo portraying a rival imperial concubine.

Tan Zhuo in the film "Blossoms". Video: QQ

Tan Zhuo is the third Chinese actress to win Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival, following Gong Li (for *The Story of Qiu Ju* in 1992) and Deanie Ip (for *A Simple Life* in 2011). Tan Zhuo also received congratulations from Gong Li, who expressed pride in her achievement.

Tan Zhuo grew up in a poor family and spent almost 10 years playing minor roles in television dramas. 2016 marked a turning point in her career when she received critical acclaim for her performance in *Crosscurrent*. She subsequently captivated audiences with her unique beauty and versatile acting in films and television series such as *Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace*, *Candle In The Tomb: The Wrath Of Time*, and *Joy of Life*. In 2023, Wong Kar-wai's film *Blossoms* further elevated her career.

Nhu Anh (via Sina)