China media star Yang Lan signs U.S. deal

LOS ANGELES, March 28 (UPI) -- A U.S. management firm says it has signed Chinese media star Yang Lan with an eye toward extending influence to the United States.

The U.S. management firm, Creative Artists Agency, announced it will represent Yang, whose media entrepreneurship in China has people comparing her to U.S. talk show host Oprah Winfrey, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.

Yang first came to prominence in China as the host of the "Zheng Da Variety Show," a TV series that routinely drew more than 200 million viewers.

The Chinese TV star capitalized on her fame by co-founding the privately owned media company Sun Media Investment Holding, and by diversifying her growing empire.

The British newspaper said Yang is involved in magazines, newspapers, jewelry and digital media.

Creative Artists' stable of famed clients also includes actress Cameron Diaz, "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell and rock singer David Bowie.