On the 2000 Spring Festival Gala stage, a 25-year-old girl stood gracefully in front of the camera. At that time, Cao Ying didn’t know that more than 20 years later, she would be popular all over the Internet again because of her live broadcast. Little did she know that the man watching her silently in the audience would become her lifelong partner.
Some people's lives are like a carefully choreographed drama. Every turning point was just right, every choice seemed premeditated. Cao Ying is such a person.
01
Cao Ying was born in an ordinary family in Beijing in May 1974. Who would have thought that this girl who graduated from the beauty and hairdressing major would become the leading actress of CCTV in the future?
In fact, everyone in the industry knows that Cao Ying's entry into the entertainment industry was a complete accident. In 1994, when she was 20 years old, she was putting on makeup for the cast and crew and was mistaken by the director for being an actor student. "Why don't you try acting?" The director's casual words changed the entire trajectory of her life.
You must know how difficult it was to get into CCTV in those days. But Cao Ying has this kind of talent. In 1997, she began to host "Half the Sky" and in 1998 she took over "Ten Thousand Houses of Lights". By 2000, she had already taken the host seat of "Variety Show".
The most amazing thing is that after Ni Ping left CCTV, the audience actually shouted the title of "CCTV's new sister". At that time, Cao Ying really wanted to be good-looking and talented.
02
But just when her career was at its peak, Cao Ying made a decision that surprised everyone.
In 2000, when she was 26 years old, she suddenly announced that she would leave CCTV and join the film and television industry. At that time, people in the industry thought she was crazy and "no matter how many people asked for the iron rice bowl of CCTV, they couldn't get it."
What's interesting is that Cao Ying's performance in the film and television industry is even better. Ding Jie in "The Snow Without Traces" won her the Audience's Favorite Actress Award at the 2001 Golden Eagle Awards. Each of her works, "Oolong in Love", "Legal Beauty" and "Nine-Year-Old County Grandpa" made the audience remember her.
In fact, after all, Cao Ying is a restless person at heart. She doesn't want to stay in her comfort zone and always wants to challenge new possibilities. This kind of character paved the way for her to become popular again in the future.
03
On January 15, 2011, Cao Ying gave birth to her son Wang Zihan in Beijing. The child's father is Wang Ban, a first-class actor at the Beijing People's Art Theatre.
Speaking of Wang Ban, many people may not be familiar with it. But in the drama circle, he is a real powerhouse. Although he was not as famous as Cao Ying in his early years, this man has a special charm, is down-to-earth, low-key and talented.
The most interesting thing is that the acquaintance between Cao Ying and Wang Ban also has a bit of drama. The two met during a drama performance. Wang Ban was deeply attracted by Cao Ying's sincerity and straightforwardness. "She is more like a girl next door than a star," Wang Ban later described the feeling of meeting Cao Ying for the first time.
You must know that not many marriages in the entertainment industry can last until now. But the couple Cao Ying and Wang Ban have lived a happy life with almost no scandals since their marriage.
04
Fast forward to 2020. 46-year-old Cao Ying made another surprising decision to start live streaming.
"Cao Ying live broadcast?" Many people found it incredible at the time. A former CCTV host is going to sell goods? But Cao Ying is Cao Ying. She never plays cards according to common sense.
In just two years from 2020 to 2022, Cao Ying’s live broadcast sales exceeded hundreds of millions of yuan. At the age of 47, she once again became popular all over the Internet with her live broadcast. Who would have thought?
The editor feels that Cao Ying's success is no accident. She has the professionalism of a CCTV host and the affinity of an actor. More importantly, she has a serious and responsible attitude towards products. She will try every product herself and will never mess with her own brand just to make money.
The most amazing thing is that Cao Ying in the live broadcast room still maintains the sincerity and naturalness she had when she was on CCTV. Netizens all said, "This is the real temperament of CCTV's first sister."
05
In 2024, Wang Ban was appointed as the deputy director of the National Theater. When the news came out, Cao Ying posted a photo of the two of them on Weibo with only four words: "Congratulations to my husband."
Behind the seemingly simple four words is more than 20 years of mutual support. From an ordinary drama actor to now the deputy dean Cao Ying, Wang Ban has been silently supporting behind the scenes. And Cao Ying has always been by her side from CCTV host to actor to live broadcast queen Wang Ban.
Some netizens lamented, "This is the real way for couples to get along, each shines and achieves each other."
In fact, in the final analysis, Cao Ying's story tells us a truth: there is no standard answer in life. Being a host on CCTV is a success. Transforming into an actor is also a success. Starting live streaming at the age of 47 is also a success. The key is whether you dare to step out of your comfort zone for your dreams.
The editor seems to understand why Cao Ying can turn around beautifully again and again. Because she never sets limits for herself and always maintains her curiosity and learning ability about new things. This spirit is worth learning from each of us.
