Ming Xi

About Ming Xi

Ming Xi, born Mengyao Xi on March 18, 1990, in Shanghai, China, grew up in a middle-class family of Han Chinese descent, with parents who supported her creative ambitions. She studied fashion design and acting at Donghua University in Shanghai, graduating in 2010 before fully pursuing modeling. Known in the industry as “Barbie,” she was scouted at 18 in 2008 after entering the Elite Model Look contest in China, placing third and signing with Elite Model Management. Her international career began in 2010 with a Givenchy campaign in Paris, followed by her runway debut for Givenchy’s Spring 2011 show, marking her rise as a prominent Chinese model on the global stage.

She is part of the "Golden Army" of Chinese supermodels that dominated the runway from 2010 to the present with Fei Fei Sun, Sui He, Xiao Wen Ju, Yilan Hua, Shu Pei, He Cong, Jing Wen, Xin Xie, Yuan Bo Chao and Chu Wong. Signed with The Society Management (New York), Elite Model Management (Paris, Milan), and FM Model Agency (Shanghai), she walked for Chanel, Dior, Prada, Versace, and Alexander McQueen. She gained significant recognition as a Victoria’s Secret model, walking in their fashion shows from 2013 to 2018, notably recovering gracefully from a fall in 2017. Her editorial work includes covers for Vogue China (August 2016, June 2024), Harper’s Bazaar China, Elle China, and Marie Claire, with campaigns for Givenchy, Michael Kors, Lane Crawford, and Huawei. Ranked #16 on models.com’s Top 50 in 2016, she worked with photographers like Mario Testino, earning millions at her peak.

Ming maintains a strong social media presence, with over 1.5 million Instagram followers (@mingxi11), sharing modeling shoots, family moments, and lifestyle content. Her mainstream career includes minor acting roles in Chinese films like This Is Not What I Expected (2017) and short films for Vogue China. She has appeared on Chinese fashion TV programs and at events like the Met Gala (2015–2019). Her ambassadorships for brands like L’Oréal Paris and her advocacy for Asian representation, often shared in Mandarin, have made her a cultural influencer, with her relatable persona and friendships with models like Liu Wen boosting her global appeal.

At 5’10” (178 cm) with measurements of 31-24-34 inches, Ming Xi possesses a slender, elegant frame, long black hair, and expressive dark eyes that convey warmth and intensity. Her high cheekbones, radiant skin, and delicate features create a versatile beauty, excelling in high-fashion editorials and commercial campaigns like Victoria’s Secret. Her sex appeal lies in her graceful runway presence and confident charm, earning her the title “China’s fashion darling” by Vogue China. Photographers like Tim Walker and peers like Fei Fei Sun praise her “captivating elegance,” with Harper’s Bazaar noting her “modern, dynamic allure” that has elevated Asian visibility in fashion.

Ming has faced minimal controversies, though her 2017 Victoria’s Secret runway fall drew media attention, which she handled with humor, stating, “It made me unforgettable!” Her sexuality is reported as straight, and she married Mario Ho, son of Macau casino tycoon Stanley Ho, in 2019, with whom she has two children, Ronaldo (born 2019) and a daughter (born 2022). Her net worth is estimated at $5–8 million, driven by modeling and endorsements. Critics occasionally note her limited acting success, but her focus on family and advocacy for diversity has earned respect, keeping her career scandal-free.

At 35 in 2025, Ming Xi’s legacy as a pioneering Chinese supermodel endures, inspiring Asian models with her resilience and global impact. On platforms like models.com, fans call her a “runway star,” with one commenter noting, “Ming’s grace and charm redefined Asian beauty.” Her 2020 quote to Vogue China, “Beauty is about embracing your journey,” reflects her ethos. Currently, she splits time between Shanghai and Hong Kong, appearing in Vogue China’s November 2025 issue and a 2025 Michael Kors campaign. Her advocacy for Asian representation, motherhood, and selective modeling solidify her as a transformative figure in the industry.

As of January 2026, Ming has amassed 1.9 million followers on Instagram.