Who's That Girl

Like single-name It girls from Hailey to Bella to Kaia, Ella has celebrity parents to thank for her fame. But the only child of Simon Yam and Qi Qi is also driven by an ambition that’s all of her own devise.

- Kate Rowlinson.

You could say Ella Yam won the genetic lottery. But spend any amount of time with her and you’ll quickly realize that she got more than looks and talent from her parents, Shanghai-born supermodel Qi Qi and Hong Kong film legend Simon Yam. Though she has those in spades, the best qualities she inherited are a deep sense of gratitude and a steadfast dedication to hard work.

For many young stars with a claim to celebrity pedigree, there is a desire to carve out a path and identity separate from their lineage. Perhaps that comes with age, but for now, the 16-year-old delights in her parents’ company. The Yams are a tight-knit family and it shows: When she isn’t using her Instagram (@ellayamofficial) for work, the teenager uses the platform to express her love for her parents, sharing sweet family shots with her 17,400-strong following. And with no hesitation, Yam says her mum is her biggest professional inspiration: “Her work ethic is just so amazing and I always try to learn from her in every aspect.”