“From Phoenix to Pauper?” At 52, Ada Choi is reportedly working tirelessly to make ends meet—only to be mocked by Wong Jing for “lacking ambition.”

Recently, two celebrities have sparked public discussion due to noticeable changes in their appearance—Chen Xiao and Ada Choi. While Chen Xiao’s sudden weight loss drew attention earlier, this article focuses on Ada Choi, who also appeared unusually thin during a recent auto show event in Guangzhou.

Despite her vibrant red hair and energetic styling, videos from the scene showed her with prominent cheekbones and sunken cheeks, looking far more tired than usual. This prompted many to wonder: Why is she working so hard at 52?

Ada Choi’s life story offers clues. After her parents divorced when she was five, she was raised by her mother—who struggled with gambling addiction. Constantly on the run from debt collectors, Choi moved frequently, making it difficult for her to attend school or make friends.

To pay off debts, her mother pushed her to work early. Choi started modeling at 15 and later entered the Miss Hong Kong Pageant, eventually winning third place and signing with TVB. She worked tirelessly to earn money, starring in popular dramas throughout the ’90s. Yet the debts continued to pile up—even with financial help from billionaire Richard Li, whom she briefly dated.

By 2000, after reportedly paying off more than HK$10 million, she finally severed ties with her mother and ended the relationship with Li, choosing to rebuild her life.

Her career shifted to mainland China, where she gained popularity through the fantasy drama The Legend of the Magic Mirror. On set, she met and later married actor Zhang Jin (Max Zhang) in 2008. Although many doubted their relationship due to status differences, she firmly believed in him—and time proved her right.

In 2010, she joined the cast of Empresses in the Palace (The Legend of Zhen Huan), playing the Empress. She discovered she was pregnant during filming but continued working to avoid delaying the production. The series became a cultural phenomenon in 2011, elevating her career once again.

Yet despite the newfound fame, she gradually reduced her acting commitments to focus on her family. She and Zhang Jin now have three children, and she once revealed that she spent two years raising them alone while Zhang was frequently away for work—often breaking down in tears during video calls.

In 2014, Zhang Jin won Best Supporting Actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards for The Grandmaster and thanked Choi emotionally on stage, silencing past accusations that he relied on her.

Though Choi took on fewer acting roles, she stayed active through variety shows, which allowed her to earn an income while remaining close to her family.

This year, however, fans noticed she was suddenly working far more frequently. The reason became clear: In April, Zhang Jin suffered a sudden heart attack while traveling in Singapore. With his arteries nearly 80% blocked, he narrowly survived and required immediate surgery. Choi later admitted she would “break down completely” if anything happened to him.

To allow Zhang to rest and recover, she has taken on more work to support the family—a responsibility reflected in her visibly exhausted appearance at recent events.

Given everything she has endured—her difficult childhood, financial struggles, devotion to her husband, and dedication to her children—many believe Wong Jing’s criticism that she “lacks ambition” is both unfair and uninformed.

In the end, Ada Choi has always made thoughtful choices at each stage of her life, prioritizing what truly matters. She is a devoted daughter, wife, and mother—and deserves every bit of respect.