KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese martial arts superstar Jet Li's 19-year-old daughter, Jane was pretty darn clueless about her family’s fame in the beginning.
She remembered many people taking photos of her family whenever they were in public.
“I only realised my father was a star when I was 7," she said, according to a news report by Jayne Stars.
Jane said that one of her classmates wanted to be her friend because her mother said it was important to be so.
“I felt upset that my school friends only liked me because of my father."
And as she grew older, Jane never shared information about her family in front of others. She wanted to prove herself so she studied hard in school and excelled academically as well as in extra-curricular activities.
“I wanted people to know that I could succeed without the spotlight of my father."
Even though she grew up with celebrity parents — her mother is actress Nina Li — Jane was always told that their success was not hers, and she needed to work hard to get her own rewards in life.
“Ever since I was young, I helped my parents with household chores and actively participated in various school activities with my schoolmates. My parents only gave me an allowance if I did well in school."
Throughout the years, Jane lived in Los Angeles, Paris, Shanghai, Hawaii, and Singapore.
She is currently pursuing a business and finance degee at Harvard University.
“My father always tells me that I need to work hard in order to succeed, so I don’t feel pressure. I think I’m very lucky and I want to do better.”
Li, 56, was born in Beijing and excelled in martial arts at a young age. Mentored by Wushu master Wu Bin, he was part of the Beijing Wushu Team during his teenage years and retired at 19.
His acting career began in 1982 when he starred in the film Shaolin Temple. Since then he has appeared in more than 40 Hong Kong, Chinese and Hollywood films including Hero (2002), Fist Of Legend (1994), Once Upon A Time In China (1991), Lethal Weapon 4 (1998), Romeo Must Die (2000). Kiss Of The Dragon (2001), The One (2001) and The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor (2008).
Li and Nina have two children — Jane and Jada, 17.