Nan Zhang
Encyclopedia
Nan Zhang is an American
actress and model
. She co-starred as Kati Farkas in The CW teen drama, Gossip Girl
, until April 2008.
in the province of Anhui
, China
, Zhang and her family moved to the United States
when she was six years old and settled in New Orleans, Louisiana
. She is an only child. After being selected in Chanel
/Seventeen
Magazine's New Model of the Year contest at the age of 16, Zhang decided to pursue modeling.
. Zhang's short lived break into showbiz came in March 2007 when she was cast in the supporting role of Kati Farkas in the television adaptation of the popular young adult
novels, Gossip Girl.
Before acting, Zhang started her career as a model in New York City.
and archery
. She had previously wanted to be actively involved with neuroscience research and has returned to Johns Hopkins University to pursue her pre-med/neuroscience degree.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress and model
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
. She co-starred as Kati Farkas in The CW teen drama, Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl (TV series)
Gossip Girl is an American teen drama television series based on the book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series was created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, and premiered on The CW on September 19, 2007...
, until April 2008.
Early life and education
Born in BengbuBengbu
Bengbu , formerly known as P'engpu and Peng-pu, is a prefecture-level city with a population of 3,164,467 at the last census in northern Anhui Province, People's Republic of China...
in the province of Anhui
Anhui
Anhui is a province in the People's Republic of China. Located in eastern China across the basins of the Yangtze River and the Huai River, it borders Jiangsu to the east, Zhejiang to the southeast, Jiangxi to the south, Hubei to the southwest, Henan to the northwest, and Shandong for a tiny...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Zhang and her family moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
when she was six years old and settled in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. She is an only child. After being selected in Chanel
Chanel
Chanel S.A. is a French fashion house founded by the couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, well established in haute couture, specializing in luxury goods . She gained the name "Coco" while maintaining a career as a singer at a café in France...
/Seventeen
Seventeen (magazine)
Seventeen is an American magazine for teenagers. It was first published in September 1944 by Walter Annenberg's Triangle Publications. News Corporation bought Triangle in 1988, and sold Seventeen to K-III Communications in 1991. Primedia sold the magazine to Hearst in 2003. It is still in the...
Magazine's New Model of the Year contest at the age of 16, Zhang decided to pursue modeling.
Career
Her acting debut came about when Zhang was discovered by a casting director while she was at a nail salon in New York which landed her a bit part in The Shanghai Hotel and followed with an uncredited bit part in West 32ndWest 32nd
West 32nd is a 2007 film and the second feature film by Michael Kang. The film stars John Cho, Jun-Seong Kim, Grace Park, Jane Kim and Jeong Jun-ho....
. Zhang's short lived break into showbiz came in March 2007 when she was cast in the supporting role of Kati Farkas in the television adaptation of the popular young adult
Youth
Youth is the time of life between childhood and adulthood . Definitions of the specific age range that constitutes youth vary. An individual's actual maturity may not correspond to their chronological age, as immature individuals could exist at all ages.-Usage:Around the world, the terms "youth",...
novels, Gossip Girl.
Before acting, Zhang started her career as a model in New York City.
Personal life
Zhang has attempted to take up sports such as snowboardingSnowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
and archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
. She had previously wanted to be actively involved with neuroscience research and has returned to Johns Hopkins University to pursue her pre-med/neuroscience degree.