A Simple Photo That Catapulted Her to Internet Stardom

Zhang Zetain had already achieved internet stardom in China despite never venturing into showbiz. In 2009, a photograph of her holding a milk tea and donning a high school uniform with her hair neatly tied in a ponytail went viral. The reason behind this widespread attention was rather straightforward – her sweet and innocent appearance. Back then, she was just a high school student at Nanjing Foreign Language School in Jiangsu. Still, this viral moment catapulted her to the pinnacle of internet fame, with netizens showering her with praise for her ethereal beauty. 

It’s worth noting that she even received an invitation to audition for Zhang Yimou’s renowned film “The Flowers of War,” though she declined the offer to prioritize her studies. As a national aerobics champion, Zhang Zetain’s exceptional talents earned her early admission to Tsinghua University, which is considered one of China’s top two universities. This achievement underscored her commitment to her education and her ability to excel not only in the virtual world but also in her academic pursuits.

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