Exploring Passion and Purpose: The story of WKU freshman Zhang Xinyi

Zhang Xinyi is a freshman from the Class of 2025 majoring in Communications from Shanghai. “Dance is my unique language to communicate with the world,” she says, her eyes brightening with a gentle yet unwavering glow when talking about her passion. This deep bond with dance began when she was 3 years old.

In third grade of primary school, her outstanding stage presence caught the attention of a talent scout, and she successfully advanced to the second round of auditions at Banana Entertainment. When a contract offer was placed, the young Zhang Xinyi made the choice to decline: “I don’t want to turn my hobby into a standardized job, which would fade the initial excitement I felt.”

In 2019, 12-year-old Zhang Xinyi embraced a brand-new challenge. Thanks to a cooperation between her school and a musical theater troupe, she stood out among many candidates and earned the opportunity to perform in the commercial production of the musical Rocks of Ages, playing the childhood version of Sherrie. She shared the stage with A-list actors such as Liu Lingfei and Zheng Yunlong.

Through this experience, Zhang Xinyi gained a deep understanding of the hardships faced by musical theater performers. “They don’t earn much, yet they pour all their passion into the spotlight,” she recalled. Their dedication to what they loved deeply touched her: “In the future, I want to live for my passions too!”

During high school, she began independently creating social media content, with some videos reaching 20,000 plays and 50,000 views. Despite the growing public attention, she remained committed to her passion and original aspiration. She embraced constructive feedback, continued creating, and focused on the content itself. “While documenting my inner thoughts, if my videos can inspire audiences going through the same feelings or life stages, then they are meaningful,” she said.

At WKU, the university’s diverse and inclusive environment has given her an even broader stage to pursue her passions. Late-night dance practices with the dance team, her speaking roles as part of the hosting team, and her dedicated service as Vice Minister of the Talent Department in the Music Club—all these experiences reflect her enthusiasm for expression. Choosing Communication Studies is precisely a choice driven by this passion.

Translator:Jiang Kexuan

Proofreader:Stephany Lopez