The Post takes a look at four celebrities in China whose physical appearance has noticeably changed over the span of their careers. - Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo
BEIJING: As the cosmetic surgery industry continues to thrive in China many celebrities have taken advantage of a so-called nip and tuck.
However, few openly admit to having work done because it can hurt their public image.
Often, their pre-fame photos surface, leading to speculation about whether they have gone under the knife.
The Post turns the spotlight on four Chinese celebrities who have undergone noticeable physical transformations during their careers.
Angelababy
Angelababy has gone to significant lengths to prove that her looks are natural. - Photo: @angelababyfanpage__Instagram
Yang Ying, as Angelababy is also known, is a well-known actress and model born in Shanghai. Her father is from Hong Kong and is of mixed German and Chinese descent.
While she has starred in many popular TV dramas, such as Love O2O and A Murderous Affair in Horizon Tower, gaining significant fame, her popularity is still largely attributed to her striking beauty.
She also faced public accusations of undergoing cosmetic surgery due to the noticeable transformation in her appearance over the years.
In response, Angelababy underwent a series of medical tests in 2015 at the Plastic Surgery Hospital (Institute), CAMS, PUMC, including X-rays, to prove her beauty was natural.
Despite these efforts, suspicions remain about potential subtle procedures, such as hyaluronic acid injections, due to the stark contrast between her early and later images.
Xiao Zhan
Question marks have been raised about Xiao Zhan’s to-die-for jawline. - Photo: Instagram
The 2019 Drama The Untamed catapulted Chinese actor and singer Xiao Zhan to national fame.
Before his fame, Xiao was a university student who graduated from Chongqing Technology and Business University in southwest China and worked as a designer.
He made his TV debut on the variety show X-Fire.
Following his rise to prominence, pre-fame photos of Xiao surfaced, sparking discussions about changes in his jawline and facial structure, with some attributing them to cosmetic enhancements.
Amid the controversy, Xiao’s former classmates defended him on social media, sharing photos from his university days, showing that his features remain largely unchanged.
Also, photos of his parents surfaced, reinforcing claims that Xiao’s appearance is due to strong genes rather than surgery.
Jia Ling
Jia Ling underwent a dramatic physical transformation for the movie You Only Live Once. - Photo: Douyin
The 42-year-old earned the title of “the world’s top-grossing female director” with her 2021 blockbuster, Hi, Mom, which took in more than 5.4 billion yuan (US$757 million) at the box office.
Jia Ling returned to the spotlight during the 2024 Chinese Spring Festival with her hit film YOLO – You Only Live Once – or Re La Gun Tang in Chinese, for which Jia underwent a significant transformation, losing more than 50kg.
In the film, she plays a reclusive woman who, driven by a passion for boxing, undergoes a dramatic transformation in both in appearance and self-assurance.
To promote the film, she shared her weight loss journey on social media.
“Four seasons in one year, I successfully lost 50kg and became a boxer. On the last night of shooting, I sat alone by the bed, moonlight shining on my back, scarfing down five packs of chocolate wafers, which is 30 pieces in all,” she wrote.
“Now, looking back, I felt especially cool, like a weary warrior celebrating with her victory!”
Zhang Yixing
Zhang has been worried about the way he looks since his school days. - Photo: Dirty Monkeys
Known as Lay from the film EXO, Zhang Yixing, 33, debuted in 2012 and quickly gained popularity.
He later starred in several films, released music and amassed a large fan base.
Often dubbed “Little Lamb” for his gentle persona, he was also teased about his chubby frame as a teenager, at which time he weighed more than 80kg.
He felt embarrassed during a class measurement when he realised his physical condition was far below that of his classmates, which motivated him to lose weight.
Within a month, Zhang lost 13kg. Through continued effort, he reached his ideal weight of 60kg and has maintained it since. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
