Gong Li grew up obsessing over her passion which is music. She tried to get into China's top music school after she graduated from high school but she didn't meet the entrance requirements. Instead, she went to her second pick, the Central Drama Academy in Beijing. After finishing school she was cast in many big Chineese films and is one of the best known Asian actresses in North America. 

Her acting inspiration comes from Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman and watching many of thier classic roles in the nineteen eighties. Recently she received the New York Film Critics award for Farewell My Concubine.

Credit: rivalquest.com