MICHAÉL

MICHAÉL
Born Michael William Ryan
August 4, 1989
California, U.S.
Other names MICHAÉL
Occupation
  • Recording artist
  • musician
  • TV Presenter
Years active 2010–present

Musical career

Genres
Instruments Vocals
Website
www.MICHAÉLzns.com

Michael William Ryan (Chinese: 瑞恩迷嘉尔; pinyin: ruì ēn·mí jiā ěr, born August 4, 1989), commonly known by his stage name MICHAÉL (formerly as 'ZNS'), is an American recording artist, record producer, TV presenter, designer, and visual artist active in China and well known throughout overseas Chinese communities. In 2010 MICHAÉL became a household name in China after appearing on Hunan TV's Super Boy,[1] and Day Day Up.[2] MICHAÉL's multilingual skills (speaking nearly perfect Mandarin Chinese and conversational Japanese and German along with his native English and Spanish)[3] have contributed to his popularity in several countries.[4] He is the first non-Asian westerner to have been accepted to the prestigious Broadcasting Academy of the Communication University of China in Beijing, where began undergraduate studies in 2009.[5]

Early life

Michael William Ryan was born in San Diego to mother Monica O. Ryan, a Spanish teacher, and father Michael D. Ryan, a merchant marine on August 4, 1989. Michael is Anglo-American, while Monica is of Mexican descent.[6] MICHAÉL has Hispanic and more distant German and Eastern European roots. He is the eldest of four sons. His eldest younger brother Cris (born c. 1990) is a fashion designer, while the two younger brothers are still attending school.

Shortly after his birth, MICHAÉL lived in Monterrey, Mexico until the age of one. Afterwards his family moved back to San Diego, California, settling in North San Diego County. Educated at Guajome Park Academy in Vista, California, MICHAÉL began performing in Musical Theatre from the age of 11, and appeared in local productions of Bye Bye Birdie, Grease, and Once on This Island, among others.

Bilingual in English and Spanish from a young age, MICHAÉL showed a strong aptitude at learning foreign languages when he was enrolled in the German language program at Guajome Park Academy. MICHAÉL eventually participated in a semester high school exchange program through the German American Partnership Program and attended Gymnasium Ulricianum in Aurich, Germany during Autumn of 2005. Upon return home, MICHAÉL started his studies of Japanese at the Japanese-American Cultural Center of Vista.

After graduating in 2007, MICHAÉL deferred his university admission and took a gap year to study Mandarin in Shijiazhuang, China.[7] By the end of the gap year, MICHAÉL decided to further his studies in China, moving to the capital Beijing, and enrolling the language program at the Communication University of China.

Career

2007-2009: Career beginnings

At the age of 18 MICHAÉL ventured to China, studying Chinese at Shijiazhuang International Foreign Language School in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province. After being cast for a city television advertisement, ZNS was discovered by Hebei TV for his vocal talent and participated in Jiqing Jiu Jiu, Hebei TV's top-rating singing contest. Eventually entering the top ten contestant grand finale MICHAÉL had already become a househould name in the Hebei province. After the grand finale of the contest, ZNS was invited to participate in Chinese Central Television's smash-hit singing contest 星光大道 Starlight Avenue, a program broadcast to an estimated audience of 60 million people. Although MICHAÉL was eliminated during the 5th round of the competition, he was discovered by famous Chinese crosstalk comedian Ding Guang Quan and began his formal study of the art.[8] Moving to the Beijing in to continue his studies in Mandarin, MICHAÉL enrolled in the Chinese language program at the Communications University of China (formerly the Beijing Broadcasting Institute). In 2009 MICHAÉL applied to the bachelor's program in the prestigious Broadcasting Academy, eventually become the first non-Asian applicant in history to be accepted.

2010: Super Boy

In March 2010, MICHAÉL was invited to speak at Toronto University's annual China Conference, speaking on the Culture panel as an expert on the Chinese Television industry and giving insights to the work of a Broadcaster in China.[9]

In May 2010, MICHAÉL took part in Hunan TV's popular Male Idol singing competition Super Boy. Taking part in the North American auditions, MICHAÉL made it into the top 10 for Los Angeles, top 5 for North America, and top 30 for the World before retiring from the show. MICHAÉL cites focusing on school as the main reason for quitting, but although quitting before the top 12 finals, he was still one of the most popular contestant in 2010. MICHAÉL continued on to work as a TV reporter for Hunan TV World Channel for the remainder of the 2010 Superboy competition, daily appearing on Hunan TV and interviewing the final contests of Superboy.[10]

In July 2010 ZNS held a mini-concert at Tianjin TV, in Tianjin. Fans and supporters flew in from all over China and even from nearby countries to see the performance.[11] The mini-concert special aired on Tianjin TV in late summer 2010.

2011:CCTV Mandarin Grand Competition and K-Pop Star

In Summer of 2011 MICHAÉL was invited to participate in the CCTV world Mandarin language competition called "The Mandarin Grand Competition". Aired on CCTV-4 International and organized by the Confucius Institute of China MICHAÉL was awarded a Third place prize Bronze medal, ranking among the best Non-Chinese Mandarin language speakers in the world.[12][13]

During Autumn 2011 MICHAÉL participated in South Korean broadcaster SBS' then new pop idol singing contest K-pop Star. During the show, MICHAÉL performed in front of judges Yang Hyun-suk, founder of YG Entertainment, Park Jin-young, singer/song-writer and founder of JYP Entertainment, and Korean pop icon BoA, from SM Entertainment. While on stage MICHAÉL self introduced himself in fluent Korean immediately impressing the audience including present K-pop idol Jonghyun. Following his introduction in Korean, MICHAÉL switched into speaking Chinese. Park Jin-Young asked present Miss A Chinese member Meng Jia to 'test' his Chinese speaking abilities, and Meng Jia told the audience that "He is better at Chinese than I am". While not advancing into the grand finals, he was praised by South Korean media for his memorable personality and performance and his amazing talent with languages.[14][15]

In late 2011 MICHAÉL appeared as a special guest performer in the Hunan Television Chinese New Year Gala, performing along legendary Hunan Folk singer Liu Yizhen.[16]

References

  1. ↑ ""海星"赵恩世惊现快男现场 将任湖卫国际出镜记者（Oversea's "Sea-star" ZNS Returns to Superboy, becoming Hunan World's on-screen reporter）" (in Chinese). http://ent.hunantv.com/. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  2. ↑ "赵恩世自曝为电视剧普通话配音引粉丝猜想(MICHAÉL reveals upcoming Chinese voice acting role, Fans speculate) Sina Entertainment News" (in Chinese). http://ent.sina.com.cn/. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  3. ↑ "我和洛阳有缘，和牡丹有缘！洛阳晚报（I have destiny with Luo Yang, I have destiny with Peony）LUOYANG EVENING POST" (in Chinese). http://lywb.lyd.com.cn/. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  4. ↑ ""海星"赵恩世惊现快男现场 将任湖卫国际出镜记者（Oversea's "Sea-star" ZNS Returns to Superboy, becoming Hunan World's on-screen reporter）" (in Chinese). http://ent.hunantv.com/. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  5. ↑ "赵恩世唱响南锣鼓巷 将重返快男舞台(MICHAÉL Sings in Nanluoguxiang, Returning to Superboy Stage) Sina Entertainment News" (in Chinese). http://ent.sina.com.cn/. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  6. ↑ "快男增加海外赛区 细数美国赛区帅哥(图)Netease News" (in Chinese). http://news.163.com/. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
  7. ↑ 北京赛区：赵恩世 (in Chinese). Sina Education News. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  8. ↑ 北京赛区：赵恩世 (in Chinese). Sina Education News. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  9. ↑ "美国青年走红中国演艺圈　盼主持华语节目促和谐(American Youth rises to fame in the Chinese entertainment industry, Aspires to become a Chinese language MC and promote Harmony)" (in Chinese). http://www.chinanews.com. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
  10. ↑ ""海星"赵恩世惊现快男现场 将任湖卫国际出镜记者（Oversea's "Sea-star" MICHAÉL Returns to Superboy, becoming Hunan World's on-screen reporter）" (in Chinese). http://ent.hunantv.com/. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  11. ↑ "《音乐High客》新星赵恩世讲述西方人的音乐故事" (in Chinese). http://tjtv.enorth.com.cn/. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  12. ↑ "赵恩世：中国传媒大学播音主持艺术学院美国留学生(MICHAÉL：American Exchange student of the Academy of Broadcasting at the Communication University of China) CHINA BROADCASTING NETWORK" (in Chinese). http://www.byzc.com/. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  13. ↑ "赵恩世大赛秀才艺(MICHAÉL reveals contest talent)SINA EDUCATION NEWS" (in Chinese). http://edu.sina.com.cn/. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  14. ↑ "'K팝스타' 4개국어 구사 마이클 라이언, 중국어 술술~ 미쓰에이 지아도 감탄!" (in Korean). http://wstarnews.hankyung.com/. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
  15. ↑ "'ZNS, KPOP STAR CONTESTANT, RISING EAST ASIA STAR". http://kirinmc.com/. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
  16. ↑ "2012湖南卫视龙年春晚节目单（2012 Hunan TV Year of the Dragon Spring Festival Gala Program list）GOLDEN EAGLE NET" (in Chinese). http://zixun.hunantv.com/. Retrieved March 29, 2013.

External links