Actress Huang Yi’s cling film slimming sparks body image debate in China

Actress Huang Yi. Photo from Huang’s Weibo

As reported by news site AsiaOne, Huang posted on her Weibo account Dec. 24, 2023, to seek advice for rapid weight loss.

“I tried on seven dresses today and couldn’t fit into any of them,” she said. “How can I slim down within a day? I am waiting for your solution.”

Responding to the ideas she received under the post, Huang considered a commenter’s suggestion to tightly wrap her waist with cling film as “not bad.”

The actress posted photos of herself in an elegant ball gown with a noticeably slim waist at a fashion show the next day, crediting the cling film method for her transformation.

Actress Huang Yi appears at a fashion show with a slim figure thanks to covering 10 layers of cling film around her waist. Photo from Huang’s Weibo

Her post rapidly gained attention, having reached over 170 million views on Weibo.

However, the public’s reaction was divided, leading to broader discussions about beauty standards and health. Some criticized Huang for promoting unrealistic beauty ideals, while others empathized with the pressures faced by celebrities.

One netizen remarked: “Clothes are made to serve people, but you are changing yourself to fit the clothes. It does not make sense.”

“It’s not easy for actresses,” commented another. “As an ordinary person, I can eat whatever I like.”

Medical professionals have also warned about the potential health risks of such practices, as highlighted in a South China Morning Post report which cites a doctor listing possible consequences including impaired blood circulation, headaches, digestive problems, and breathing difficulties.

This incident is not isolated in the Chinese entertainment industry. Prior to this, actress Zhang Meng experienced rib pain in 2022 after wearing a tight dress for hours at an event in Shanghai, which necessitated medical attention.

“I gave my life for beauty,” Zhang later said on her Weibo account as she reflected on the incident.