Actress Liu Yifei challenges China’s ‘thin is beautiful’ standard

Featured in Vogue China’s September issue, Liu sparked discussions after meeting with the photographer post-shoot, leading to speculation that she requested changes to the images.

However, Vogue China’s editorial director, Rocco Liu, clarified that Liu respected the creative team’s vision and only discussed fashion and photography, emphasizing that the photos were presented in a natural, unedited style, without slimming her arms or waist.

In a culture where “thin is beautiful” dominates, Liu Yifei’s fuller figure often attracts public scrutiny. Yet, she stands against these rigid standards.

Actress Liu Yifei. Photo from her Instagram

Fashion writer Shan Huang noted that the 37-year-old actress is not overly focused on her appearance, making her a prominent figure in challenging traditional beauty stereotypes.

Shan noted: “People come in different body types—some are slender, others are fuller. Each has its own distinct beauty, but the key is to prioritize health. We shouldn’t glorify thinness, as many women go to unhealthy extremes, risking their well-being to achieve this ideal.”

Numerous Chinese celebrities go to great lengths to conform to the “young, fair, thin” standard. According to Sohu, many edit their photos before sharing them on social media, and in TV dramas, actors’ faces are often digitally altered to look slimmer and fairer.

Earlier this year, renowned Chinese film producer Yu Zheng disclosed that he mandates weight loss for actors in his company.

According to Yahoo Life Singapore, Yu Zheng once instructed actress Zhao Qing to reduce her weight from 46 kg to 42.5 kg, despite her height of 1.7 meters. Her friend, actress Xu Jiao, criticized him on Weibo, stating, “Do you really think that’s beautiful? Forcing someone to reach 42 kg is cruel.”

This mentality extends beyond the entertainment industry and permeates other sectors, leading to widespread insecurity and constant worries about not being slim enough, Youth reported.

Liu Yifei, also known as Crystal Liu, made her first TV appearance in 2003 in the period romance drama “The Story of a Noble Family.” The series emerged as the highest-rated show that year on the Chinese national broadcaster CCTV, catapulting her to stardom.

In 2008, she transitioned to film and has since appeared in a range of Chinese and Hollywood films, including the lead role in the 2020 live-action adaptation of Disney’s 1998 animated film “Mulan.”

Her achievements earned her a place among the New Four Dan actresses of China in 2009, a term used to denote the four most bankable young actresses in the country.