Promotional photo of the Jin Xing Dance Theatre. Photo: Courtesy of Jin Xing Dance Theatre.

Jin Xing Photo: Courtesy of Jin Xing Dance Theatre.

Once one of the best male dancers in China, in 1995 Jin Xing decided to fulfill her long-time dream: become a woman. Now nearly a decade later she is one of China's most well known modern dancers, choreographers and TV hosts. She is also the toughest and most honest judge for many of the big name dance reality shows in China. Although the 47-year-old Jin has worn many hats over the years, the role she loves the most is being a mother to her three adopted children.

Over the years, the Chinese public has shown more interest in her incredible life story than her performance on stage, and so most people know how this former military dancer who has both studied and performed overseas chose to transform herself into a woman. They've also heard how she's been married twice, first to a woman and later to her current German husband. Not one to shy away from sensitive topics, she has never hesitated to share her past in interviews or in her biography.

Nowadays, most people know Jin for her work on TV and accept her as the happy and successful woman she has always viewed herself to be.

Two nights in Beijing

In 1999 Jin established China's first independent modern dance troupe, the Jin Xing Dance Theatre, in Shanghai. Over the past few years the group has spent 70 percent of its time touring abroad, bringing Chinese-styled productions to the world. Their shows such as Shanghai Tango, Carmina Burana and Shanghai Beauty have been well received all over the world.

During the coming weekend of March 1 and 2, the Jin Xing Dance Theatre is bringing two nights of different performances to audiences in Beijing's Poly Theatre.

The first night's show was choreographed by Jin and dancers in the group, while the second performance was the result of three international choreographers: Michael Schumacher from the US, Moya Michael from South Africa and the Netherland born Arthur Kuggeleyn who is now based in Switzerland.

Jin told the Global Times that the three choreographers have very different styles.

An excellent dancer as well as choreographer, Moya Michael focuses on women's emotions, while Kuggeleyn's theater background has given him a unique style and understanding when it comes to dance and imagery. Last but not least, Schumacher's work is extremely sensitive and exquisite due to his attention to detail.

Jin, who will also be performing, calls herself the ultimate understudy. "I choreograph shows for my dancers, but if someone gets pregnant or ill, I fill their position."

 Although the Jin Xing Dance Theatre has earned a reputation internationally, its popularity doesn't extend everywhere.

On Tuesday, Jin posted on Sina Weibo that the organizer of the troupe's Beijing show suggested they give out tickets for free because the box office wasn't looking good. In response, Jin said, "I don't care if it's embarrassing or not. When it's difficult to find a single ticket for a group of dancers overseas but here it's the opposite, who's the one that loses face?" 

While giving out free tickets is very common in Beijing, Jin feels that most audiences who are used to free tickets will not really appreciate the show. She also feels giving out free or discounted tickets is damaging to the market.

Jin gave an example where the government sponsored China Oriental Performing Arts Group sold tickets at 10 yuan-per-ticket in order to attract audiences when it performed at the Beijing Century Theatre. She sees this method of using taxpayer's money to buy an audience as unfair market competition.

In the end though, the group's goal isn't about making money. "We are performing nationally so we can tell audiences that this is a domestic dance group and that it is still alive. That is our ultimate objective even if we do it at a loss," she told the Global Times. 

A true love for theater

"Our troupe can be seen as a miracle in China. If we were in any other country there would be plenty of art funds willing to support us," Jin told the Global Times, adding that she supports the dance troupe from her own income earned from participating in TV shows and other events.

Over the past four years, Jin has also organized the annual Shanghai International Dance Festival, going so far as to mortgage one of her own houses to cover the event's expenses.

During shows she always comes on stage and introduces each dance to the audience, telling everyone to just enjoy the performance and not think of it as some extremely unfathomable art.

Jin said that just like how her style of dance is to be honest and true, so too is the style of her dance troupe. Their goal is to never pretend to be profound or be purposefully incomprehensible as you can see many modern Chinese dance groups now do.

"Modern art consists of 70 percent crap and 30 percent fine work. Many people uses the term 'modern art' as an excuse. They come on stage and walk around without a single dance movement and say that's art. Who are you kidding?"

Though China is still at the early stage of learning about modern dance, Jin likes to say that you should never underestimate an audience's ability to understand what's before them.

Honesty wins the world

Jin has a notorious reputation for being an extremely critical judge on TV.

For example on the program Let's Shake It, a show similar to Dancing with the Stars, she once commented on an actress's performance, saying "For the sake of your career, never dance again."

Such wisecracks are controversial, but most of the time audiences love what she says, both laughing and applauding at her comments. 

"I have no prejudice towards anyone and I respect every individual. My criticism is about the work not the person. Real artists are never afraid of criticism. People can say 'Jin Xing's works are rubbish' and I'm fine with that as long as it doesn't get personal."

Similar to her image on dance shows, Jin continues her blunt critical style on other talk shows.

She comments on almost everything from films and art to relationships. She sees the role she plays on TV as a social responsibility, because she feels the public needs to listen to the truth, even if it hurts sometimes.

"I don't mind if you don't know me or misunderstand me. I will give you time to know the real Jin Xing," she said.