Wu Yi Fan for Marie Claire China October 2015
Long legs with a bare yet radiant face, these are the requirements for a super idol. However besides natural talent, hard work and luck is also necessary. With his attention to detail, after arriving at the shoot he immediately took out his accessories, even though there were assistants and manager following him he did not exude the aura of a pompous star. In front of the camera he poses with ease, just after merely washing his face and hair he immediately shoots for a bare-faced cover, showing us a completely different attitude: This is a characteristic and self confidence of the new generation, more approachable yet more outstanding. Nothing that huge to fuss over, itās just something most ordinary.
Wu Yi Fan has calmness and self confidence, and knows what kind of celebrity he would become: without a doubt, a huge star, but definitely different from celebrities of the past. With emerging social media platforms and networking connections, in a short period of time Wu Yi Fan has become a rapidly rising star. Right now even as he is surrounded by screaming, excited fans when he goes out in public, he still feels that he is merely an ordinary person.Ā āEvery day I do down-to-earth things, itās just that I interact with few people, there are many things with others do not see.ā
Most recently, because he loves playing basketball, whichever city Wu Yi Fan goes to, he will go to outdoor courts to play basketball with passers-by.Ā āWhen Iām playing with people I do not know, I would feel like how I did when I was just starting out when I was young. Perhaps they could recognise me and know who I was, but I felt that it didnāt matter, because in my personal time Iām like that.ā The reactions from passers-by are rather calm, a celebrity has come and joined us to play basketball, thereās nothing to create a huge fuss over. At times there would be people who would ask for a photograph, but more often, when passers-by communicate with Wu Yi Fan, it is usually just them exchanging tips. Once, even after losing, they joked with him, saying that the match could be won with good looks.Ā āThen in the future I will have to use my handsome face to play basketball!ā Wu Yi Fan could not help but laugh as he recalled those memories.Ā āThat feeling was really amazing, extremely comfortable, I also hoped that I could continue to have this kind of attitude, itās the most ordinary yet happiest feeling.ā
Donāt know how he does it, but Wu Yi Fan is able to naturally break through the barrier between celebrities and ordinary people. Upon seeing him it is immediately clear that he has the face of a celebrity, outstanding features, bright eyes and an air of elegance, along with his long legs and perfectly proportioned physique, which make him stand out in a crowd. But after a short while of interacting with him, you would discover that Wu Yi Fanās celebrity persona is only on the outward appearance, all of his thoughts and actions are those of a normal (non-celebrity) personās; his star qualities are something to be looked forward to, he gives complete attention to you.This is very refreshing,Ā different from all the past celebrities. āMy family never expected me to become a huge star, my mother even said that if I could not become a celebrity it would also be good if I went back to studying, any occupation was fine. This enabled me to change a lot, made me go with the flow, as for all things, if something happens it happens, if it doesnāt, itās not a huge deal.ā
At the scene of the shoot, lights turn on and Wu Yi Fan stands with his face bare and hair freshly blown dry under the glare of the lights as the photographer shoots some test shots. Itās strange, his bare face is not really different from when he has make up on. Of course, he still pays attention to the details, closely examining the tattoos we stuck onto his hands. He would match the accessories on his own, analyse the angles of his poses and facial expressions captured by the camera. Even bringing a suitcase or clothes and shoes in case they may be needed, he is professional to the point that you would forget that he is this young. He explains seriously,Ā āIām not a narcissistic person, Iām someone who is self-confident and loves myself. I have high expectations for the things that I do, so for every detail, how I appear, how I dress up, I would put a lot of effort in all that I do.ā Wu Yi Fan has always liked Kobe Bryant and LeonardoĀ DiCaprio; the latter who was famous for his good looks when he was younger, recently gained a lot of weight for a movie role. Talking about this topic, Wu Yi Fan expressed that,Ā āIām really sorry to tell my fans that I canāt guarantee how Iād look like in the future, Iām such an easy-going, carefree person, what I can only guarantee are the quality of my works.ā Despite having countless fans, Wu Yi Fan is not pressured tremendously, but instead would use his own ways to influence fans. This is the Wu Yi Fan who is a new type of idol.Ā āWhat I can do is to influence others positively, those who like me will also like who I truly am, therefore, to keep myself genuine, thatās what I long to do the most.ā
Bare faced vs with make up, do you feel any different?
Iām more laid back when I am bare faced, because I donāt have that much to worry about.
Would you prefer girls who are bare faced or put on makeup?
I prefer girls that are more natural. The first thing I look in a person is usually their eyes, but I totally donāt like those that have heavy makeup, I prefer a very light feel.
People feel that bare faced vs make up are completely different, what do you think?
I feel that both arenāt much different. To put on makeup or not is an attitude of self confidence which I accept.
Is it alright for you to be recognized on the streets when you are bare faced?
Yeah, itās no problem at all, because I always go out like this, all this while, in my personal time Iāve never gone out in disguise or put on makeup. If I donāt have to wear makeup when I am not working I wonāt.
What are your feelings for putting on (fake) tattoos for the cover of Marie Claire?
I really love tattoos, tattoos can be very beautiful and artistic. As an actor there are times that having too many tattoos are inconvenient, but if I was not working in this industry I would definitely be the kind of person to have their whole body tattooed because I really like tattoos.
Do you think that going bare faced, including your personality and appearance, how does it differ from completely revealing everything?
Personality wise, because Iām a public figure, itās my responsibility and I am fully sure that I will not display anything negative to those who like and support me.
What is something you wish to do out of your own will recently?
Iāve already done it, that is, to shoot a bare faced magazine cover! This is something which I have taken really seriously, thereās completely no makeup, not even hairstyling, after washing my hair it was immediately blown dry and [the pictures for the magazine] were shot!
