A wealthy aristocrat, Shai Ming’s roots date back to the Shang dynasty (1700 – 1207 B.C.). Her ancestors were part of a long lineage of kings instrumental in important cultural advancements — including the use of the metal bronze.
The dynasty actually endured and appealed to the masses for hundreds of years because of their unique and distinctive bronze body color, which can still be seen in Shai Ming’s scales today. Her parents, Zhan and Ye Jiang, named Shai Ming after the spectacular brilliance of her glowing bronze highlights.
Even more ironically, she earned a Bronze Medal while competing in the 2006 Winter Olympics (Turin, Italy), but this time for her figure skating abilities. She was favored to win the Gold, but tragically injured her left fin while attempting a quadruple axle toe loop jump. The injury ended her figure skating career.
Shai Ming came to Philadelphia to attend law school at the University of Pennsylvania and upon graduation aspires to be an ambassador with the United Nations.