Grace Chan
Grace Chan (born 23 June 1991) is a Hong Kong-born Canadian actress, television host, and beauty pageant titleholder best known for winning the Miss Hong Kong 2013 title and the Miss Chinese International Pageant in 2014.[1][2] Born in Hong Kong, she moved to Vancouver, Canada, at the age of five and holds Canadian citizenship.[1] Chan graduated from Simon Fraser University with a degree in communications, having studied journalism and broadcasting.[1] After returning to Hong Kong, she entered the entertainment industry through pageantry and subsequently signed with Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), where she starred in dramas including Raising the Bar (2015), Blue Veins (2016), and Keyboard Warriors (2018).[1][3] In recent years, she has shifted focus to hosting programs such as Love Matters with Grace (2022) and ended her contract with TVB at the end of 2024 to pursue entrepreneurial ventures, including a chocolate brand expansion into markets like Malaysia.[1][4][5] Since marrying Hong Kong actor Kevin Cheng in 2018, Chan has become a prominent figure in family-oriented media, serving as an ambassador for LoveXpress, an organization supporting children with autism.[1][6] The couple has three sons: Rafael (born 2019), Yannick (born 2020), and Carlos (born January 2023).[6][7] In 2024, she actively denied circulating divorce rumors and continues to balance her public career with family life.[8][9]Early life
Family background
Grace Chan was born on 23 June 1991 in Hong Kong to parents of Chinese ethnicity.[2] Her family heritage includes Malay descent through her maternal grandmother, which contributed to subtle mixed features in her and her siblings, though this trait skipped a generation in her mother.[10] She has a fraternal twin brother named Derek and an older sister, forming a close-knit immediate family structure.[11] At the age of five, Chan's family relocated from Hong Kong to Vancouver, Canada, where she spent her early childhood immersed in a multicultural environment influenced by her family's Asian roots and the diverse Canadian setting.[1] This move exposed her to a blend of cultural perspectives from her parents' Chinese background and the broader international community in Vancouver, shaping her formative years with opportunities for creative exploration outdoors, in contrast to more structured life in Hong Kong.[1]Education
Following her family's relocation to Vancouver, British Columbia, Grace Chan attended local secondary schools, completing her high school education in the area.[12] She then pursued higher education at Simon Fraser University, where she focused on media-related studies in the Department of Communication, including journalism and broadcasting. During her third year, she participated in an exchange program in Hong Kong.[13][14][1] Chan graduated in 2013 with Distinction, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Communications and minoring in Publishing, which cultivated her early interests in broadcasting, public speaking, and media production—skills that would later inform her pursuits in hosting and acting.[12][15][16]Beauty pageants
Miss Hong Kong 2013
Grace Chan entered the Miss Hong Kong 2013 pageant shortly after graduating from Simon Fraser University with a degree in communications in 2013.[17][13] Her educational background in communications helped enhance her presentation skills during the competition.[17] The pageant finals took place on 1 September 2013 at TVB City in Hong Kong, where Chan, then 22 years old, competed against 19 other contestants.[18] She emerged as the winner, securing the title with over 170,000 public votes cast through various platforms, outperforming runner-up Sisley Choi who received 110,000 votes.[18] In addition to the crown, Chan received the Tourism Ambassador award and the Popularity Award, recognizing her appeal to audiences and media.[19][18] Chan's victory marked a pivotal moment, dramatically increasing her public profile and opening doors in Hong Kong's entertainment sector as a prominent new face.[20] This success established her as a "people's choice" figure, leveraging widespread voter support to transition from a recent graduate to a recognized personality in local media.[17]Miss Chinese International 2014
Grace Chan, having won the Miss Hong Kong 2013 title, qualified to represent Hong Kong at the Miss Chinese International Pageant 2014.[21] The event took place on January 26, 2014, at TVB City in Hong Kong.[22] In the competition, Chan vied against 16 other contestants from international Chinese communities.[23] She ultimately emerged victorious, securing the Miss Chinese International 2014 crown ahead of first runner-up Cindy Zhong from Vancouver and second runner-up Ting-Li Lucia Lorigiano from Montreal.[24] This achievement marked her as the third Hong Kong representative to hold both the Miss Hong Kong and Miss Chinese International titles, a distinction previously earned by Anne Heung in 1993 and Sonija Kwok in 2000.[25] The triumph elevated Chan's visibility on an international stage, opening doors to modeling engagements and heightened media exposure that propelled her public presence.[21]Acting career
Television roles
Grace Chan began her acting career with Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) shortly after winning the Miss Hong Kong 2013 title, which served as a catalyst for her signing a management contract with the network in 2014.[4] Her television debut came in the 2014 drama Overachievers (名門暗戰), where she portrayed the supporting character Chiang Lai, also known as "Abby," a role that introduced her to audiences as part of an ensemble cast exploring family rivalries and corporate intrigue.[15][26] In 2015, Chan transitioned to lead roles, marking a significant progression in her career. She starred as Giselle Tong Ching-chi in Raising the Bar (四個女仔三個BAR), a legal comedy-drama that highlighted her comedic timing and versatility in a story about female lawyers navigating personal and professional challenges. Later that year, she took on the female lead of Wong Tai Mui in Captain of Destiny (天命), a time-travel adventure series where her character, a modern woman thrust into ancient times, demonstrated her ability to handle action-oriented and dramatic elements.[27][27] Chan continued with lead roles in subsequent years, including Yoyo Lam Mung-yiu in the 2016 supernatural drama Blue Veins (殭), where she played a key character in a story involving vampires and family secrets.[28] In 2018, she had main roles as Sau Choi-sum in the martial arts drama Birth of a Hero (翻生武林), focusing on underground fighting and redemption, and as Law Kwai-sze in the mystery series The Forgotten Valley (平安谷之詭谷傳說).[29][30] She also made guest appearances, such as in My Ages Apart (誇世代) that year. Chan's television appearances became less frequent after 2019, reflecting a shift to a lower profile amid personal commitments, though she remained under contract with TVB until the end of 2024. Her final major role was a guest appearance as Fuk Lan (Princess Lao Lan) in episodes 15–18 and 30 of Justice Bao: The First Year (包青天再起風雲), a historical drama centered on the legendary judge Bao Zheng's early cases.[4][14][31]Film roles
Grace Chan's foray into cinema was modest, marked primarily by her debut lead role in the 2018 comedy-drama Keyboard Warriors (起底組), directed by Kelvin Kwan. In the film, she portrayed Or Chi-Ying, a materialistic young woman obsessed with luxury brands and stock investments, representing a stark departure from the wholesome characters she typically played in television.[32][33] This role allowed Chan to showcase a more dynamic range, including intense confrontations with co-star Stephy Tang's character, such as a street brawl and profanity-laced arguments, which helped shatter her "good girl" image established through TVB series.[34][33] The opportunity arose from her rising popularity in television, where leading roles in dramas like Raising the Bar (2015) had built her fanbase and visibility within the industry.[3] However, during her active acting period from 2014 to 2019 under a TVB management contract, Chan did not secure additional film roles, limiting her cinematic output to this single project.[35] TVB's restrictive artist agreements, which prioritize in-house productions and require approval for external work, posed significant barriers for many performers seeking to transition to feature films.[36] Despite this, Keyboard Warriors highlighted her potential in cinema, earning praise for her bold performance in a narrative exploring online vigilantism and personal vendettas.[33]Awards and nominations
Transitioning to acting, Chan received her first television accolade as Best New TVB Artiste at the 2015 StarHub TVB Awards, recognizing her debut performance in the drama Overachievers.[37] Later that year, she earned the Most Improved Female Artiste award at the 48th TVB Anniversary Awards Presentation for her roles in Raising the Bar and Captain of Destiny.[38] Subsequent nominations highlighted her growing presence in TVB productions. In 2016, for her leading role as Yoyo Lam in Blue Veins, Chan was nominated for Best Actress at the TVB Anniversary Awards and My Favourite TVB Actress in a Leading Role at the TVB Star Awards Malaysia; she also won inclusion in the Top 15 Favourite TVB Characters at the latter.[39][40][41] By 2018, her portrayal of Sau Choi-sum in Birth of a Hero garnered a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 51st TVB Anniversary Awards.[42] No further major acting awards or nominations were reported through 2019, coinciding with her gradual shift away from full-time acting.[43]| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | StarHub TVB Awards | Best New TVB Artiste | Overachievers | Won | [37] |
| 2015 | TVB Anniversary Awards | Most Improved Female Artiste | Raising the Bar, Captain of Destiny | Won | [38] |
| 2016 | TVB Anniversary Awards | Best Actress | Blue Veins | Nominated | [39] |
| 2016 | TVB Star Awards Malaysia | My Favourite TVB Actress in a Leading Role | Blue Veins | Nominated | [40] |
| 2016 | TVB Star Awards Malaysia | Top 15 Favourite TVB Characters | Blue Veins | Won | [41] |
| 2018 | TVB Anniversary Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Birth of a Hero | Nominated | [42] |
Post-acting ventures
Television hosting and endorsements
Following her success in beauty pageants and early acting roles, Grace Chan expanded into television hosting on TVB platforms in the 2020s. In 2021, she served as a main host on the family-oriented talk show Mama's Day, which featured celebrity mothers sharing parenting experiences across 10 episodes.[30] In 2022, she hosted the second season of Mama's Day over 12 episodes. That same year, she debuted as both host and producer for the English-language talk show Love Matters with Grace on TVB Pearl, conducting intimate discussions on relationships, parenting, and personal growth with guests like influencers and actors over 12 episodes.[44][30] Chan's pageant and on-screen visibility facilitated lucrative endorsement deals, particularly with beauty and lifestyle brands seeking her poised, approachable image. As her profile rose, she secured contracts with skincare lines; for instance, in 2022, she became the brand ambassador for GLYCEL, endorsing their anti-aging treatments like the Double R facial in campaigns highlighting youthful vitality.[45] Post-2018, with fewer acting projects after her marriage, Chan transitioned into a key opinion leader (KOL) role on social media, amassing over 800,000 Instagram followers and securing around 30 endorsement partnerships annually by 2021, including wellness and beauty products.[46] Representative deals include her 2024 ambassadorship for XEOMIN, a medical aesthetics brand emphasizing "pure and impurity-free" treatments, and French Eaux, a premium water filtration system, where she promoted health-conscious living for families.[47][48] These collaborations often leveraged her authentic social media presence to engage audiences on topics like self-care and motherhood.Business activities
Following the termination of her contract with TVB in late 2024, Grace Chan transitioned to a full-time role as a key opinion leader (KOL) and entrepreneur, focusing on independent business ventures while maintaining a deliberately low-profile approach to promotions primarily through her Instagram account.[4] In April 2025, Chan launched her premium chocolate brand, Dulce Vida, in collaboration with Fafa, the founder of Miss Match, emphasizing low-sugar recipes infused with flavors inspired by Dubai, such as filled chocolates and pralines.[49] The brand quickly expanded through partnerships, including a collaboration with Taiwanese tea chain Chatime in August 2025 to introduce fresh, bold-flavored products in Hong Kong.[50] By July 2025, Chan announced plans to enter the Malaysian market, citing the country's vibrant food scene as an ideal fit for Dulce Vida's health-conscious offerings.[51] In May 2025, Chan co-authored the children's book I Love You from the Sun to the Moon with elementary school teacher Jillian Ma and illustrator Emilie Vo, drawing from personal reflections on family and childhood.[52] The book launch event took place on May 10 at Aberdeen Centre in Richmond, British Columbia, featuring a meet-and-greet with attendees, and has since contributed to her growing portfolio as a content creator blending entertainment with educational initiatives.[53] Chan's business strategy emphasizes authenticity and selective engagement on social media, where she shares behind-the-scenes insights into her ventures, helping her top KOL rankings in Hong Kong by mid-2025 without aggressive marketing tactics.[54]Personal life
Marriage and family
Grace Chan began dating actor Kevin Cheng in 2015 after meeting on the set of the TVB drama Blue Veins, where they shared backgrounds in the entertainment industry.[55][56] The couple announced their engagement on 26 July 2018 after three years together, and they married on 12 August 2018 at the Bvlgari Resort in Bali, Indonesia, in a private ceremony attended by close friends and family.[57][58] The couple welcomed their first son, Rafael, in February 2019, followed by their second son, Yannick, on 27 July 2020.[59][60] Their third son, Carlos, was born on 11 January 2023.[61][62][63] Despite a 22-year age gap between Chan (born 1991) and Cheng (born 1969), the couple has maintained a stable family life while Chan balances motherhood with selective post-acting ventures such as hosting and business activities.[64][65][66]Public image and recent events
Grace Chan has maintained a relatively low public profile since ending her contract with TVB at the end of 2024, focusing instead on family life and selective social media engagements.[4] This shift aligns with her role as a mother to three sons—Rafael (born February 2019), Yannick (born July 2020), and Carlos (born 2023)—allowing her to prioritize privacy amid ongoing media interest.[9] In October 2024, Chan was spotted vacationing in Melaka, Malaysia, dressed in a white sundress as she explored local attractions, reflecting her affinity for the country through frequent visits.[67] She shared Instagram posts from the trip, humorously suggesting she deserved "half a Malaysian citizenship" due to her repeated stays, while posing with traditional treats.[68] Later, in December 2024, Chan posted photos from a hotel room in Malaysia, playfully posing seductively with a box of local kuih under the caption "Naughty or Nice?", promoting the delights of Malaysian cuisine to her followers.[69] Chan's Instagram activity has provided occasional glimpses into her family life, such as celebrating her youngest son Carlos's first birthday on January 11, 2024, with a heartfelt post describing the joy of motherhood.[70] These shares emphasize positive family moments without delving into extensive details, reinforcing her preference for a guarded personal narrative. In August 2025, Chan organized a surprise birthday party for Cheng during their trip to Malaysia, further showcasing their strong family bond.[71] Throughout 2024 and into 2025, Chan has addressed persistent divorce rumors with her husband, Kevin Cheng, dismissing them publicly on multiple occasions. In November 2024, at a media event, she called the speculation a "joke" and negative fabrication, affirming the strength of their marriage.[72][9] By March 2025, amid reports of her TVB departure, Chan reiterated paying little attention to such rumors, noting the couple's shared routines like using her skincare products together.[4] These denials have helped manage her public image, portraying a stable family unit despite tabloid scrutiny.[73]Filmography
Television dramas
- Overachievers (2014, TVB): Abby Chiang Lai (supporting role, 30 episodes).[74]
- Raising the Bar (2015, TVB): Giselle Tong Ching-chi (lead role, 25 episodes).[75]
- Captain of Destiny (2015, TVB): Wong Tai Mui (lead role, 32 episodes).
- Blue Veins (2016, TVB): Yoyo Lam Mung-yiu (main role, 33 episodes).[76]
- Brother's Keeper II (2016, TVB): Ko Yee-na / "Nana" (main role, 32 episodes).[77]
- Flying Tiger (2018, TVB/Youku): Cheung Ya Sun (supporting role, 30 episodes).[78]
- My Ages Apart (2017, TVB): Sheung Shui (guest role, episodes 47 and 49, 50 episodes total).[79]
- Birth of a Hero (2018, TVB): Sau Choi-sum (main role, 20 episodes).[80]
- The Forgotten Valley (2018, TVB): Law Kwai-sze (main role, 20 episodes).[81]
- Justice Bao: The First Year (2019, TVB): Fuk Lan (guest role, select episodes, 30 episodes total).[82]