Gao began her career in the entertainment industry when she was 17 years old. Unlike other famous actresses in mainland China, she did not receive any degree in acting from renowned drama schools. Instead, her appearance in a TV commercial for an ice cream company started her instant fame. The lovely Gao appeared in “Spicy Love Soup”, which was a comedy film in 1997. She was also featured in a few other advertisements such as the Qing Zui, which was broadcasted worldwide in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.