Beginnings
Shaping Her Future
Cheng Xiao was born on July 15, 1998, in Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. Her mother is a teacher. She has a younger sister named Cheng Chen (became a Yuehua trainee in 2022).
She started dancing at the age of five and attended Shenzhen Arts School. Later, she became part of the school's Chinese dance club.
Xiao is not only an outstanding dancer, but she is also a top academic student. She tops her exams and earns awards every semester.
Cheng Xiao was part of the Shenzhen Arts School's Chinese dance group that won 2nd place in Taoli Cup Chinese dance competition in 2012. (Taoli Cup is the Oscars of dance award in China).
At 14 years of age, she was scouted by JYP Entertainment while she was inside the comfort room. She received a casting offer but Xiao went without preparations in the audition, so she was not selected.
In 2014 though, Xiao was once again scouted but this time, by Yuehua Entertainment, during a dance recital. Her mother and her teachers initially did not want Xiao to be an idol. Instead, she wanted Xiao to stay in school and continue her studies because she is a top student and always ranks within the top 3. However, Xiao insisted, and she became a student-idol trainee.
Cheng Xiao trained under Yuehua and at the same time, was able to finish her last year of high school. Several months into her first semester, she had to go abroad, in South Korea to become a full-time idol trainee. Once again, her mom initially hesitated but Xiao pursued.
Not only her mom, even Xiao's teachers did not want her to go since she is one of the school's academic achievers and has a professional-level Chinese dance skill. In the end, her mom allowed her to train in South Korea but Xiao must finish her studies.
In order to stay true with her promise, Cheng Xiao applied in School of Performing Arts (SOPA) Seoul in 2016, where she studied under Practical Dance Department. Before her, SOPA had no foreign students but since she passed the examination and interview, the school approved her transfer. Thus, becoming the school's first foreign student.
In SOPA she met other KPop 97liner idols (see picture):
SEVENTEEN DoKyeom (DK), Gfriend Yuju (Choi Yu-na), IZ*ONE Kim Minjoo, OH MY GIRL Kim Ji Ho
Xiao trained under Starship Entertainment while continuing her studies in SOPA. According to her mom, Xiao had to wake up very early to go to school since it is far from her dorm. Then, at noon time, she joins other trainees in training. This was the routine until she graduated in 2016, the year idol Cheng Xiao was born.
Unfortunately, Xiao was not able to attend her graduation due to her group's debut. Nevertheless, Cheng Xiao was able to fulfill her mom's wish to finish her high school studies while achieving her dream of becoming an idol in 2016 as part of WJSN.
Beginnings
The Idol
Journey in SoKor
(Text Here)
Back in Her Roots
Back in China
(Text Here)
Life as an Actress
Exploring the performing arts
(Text Here)
The Idol Journey Continues
Back on stage performances
(Text Here)