On December 31, 2025, there was news about 33-year-old Chinese actress Dilraba Dilmurat. A month ago, she was reported to have cold-like symptoms, with a persistent cough that lasted for two months, even carrying quick-acting heart pills with her. The news quickly became a hot topic, with many fans wondering if the famous “hardworking queen” was finally going to take a break.
However, a month later, instead of news about Dilraba Dilmurat taking a break, it was still a story about how she continues to work hard.
In 2010, at the age of 18, Dilraba Dilmurat left Xinjiang and went to Shanghai to study at the Shanghai Theatre Academy. Since then, her hometown became a distant point on the map, 4,000 kilometers away. Her life trajectory was completely rewritten by work, with hotel rooms replacing the concept of home. In 2023, during the recording of the variety show “Everyday Flowers and Youth,” Dilraba Dilmurat casually mentioned, “I haven’t been home in ten years.” Behind this statement lies a schedule that never stops, a cycle of filming TV dramas, variety shows, events, and business activities.
From social media and entertainment news, there is not much evidence of Dilraba Dilmurat being taken care of in her life. While many celebrities rely on assistants to handle daily tasks, Dilraba Dilmurat is used to doing things herself, such as hand-washing her heavy down jackets and jeans, which is a routine for her, showcasing her independence throughout her career.
In 2013, still a student, Dilraba Dilmurat caught the eye of Yang Mi and starred in the drama “Micro Times,” subsequently signing with “Jaywalk Studio,” a company owned by Yang Mi. Her rise to stardom as a leading actress was clear and rapid, from playing the role of “Fuqu” in “Swords of Legends” to portraying the superstar “Gao Wen” in “Diamond Lover,” all within two years.
With over 10 years in the industry, Dilraba Dilmurat has accumulated dozens of film and TV works, including popular ones like “Diamond Lover,” “Eternal Love,” and “Eternal Love of Dream.” Despite her busy schedule, she also appeared in various variety shows, constantly shuttling between different sets, earning her the title of “hardworking queen” in the entertainment circle.
However, the physical exhaustion started to show. According to mainland media outlet “Jinyun News,” since September of this year, Dilraba Dilmurat’s health condition has become a public concern. She was frequently seen coughing at public events, initially thought to be just a minor cold, but it persisted for over two months with no signs of improvement, yet work commitments continued to pile up.
Fans’ concerns eventually turned into public accusations against her studio, demanding that the artist be given sufficient rest. It wasn’t until November 10, 2025, that the studio finally responded, stating that she had already sought medical treatment and was in the process of recovery. However, on that same day, netizens captured photos of Dilraba Dilmurat filming in Quanzhou, where she had to cancel night shoots due to deteriorating health conditions.
Just when people thought Dilraba Dilmurat would slow down, her studio announced that she would be gracing the cover of the January 2026 issue of the Chinese edition of “Fashion Bazaar” in a new Dior outfit. Her recently concluded 32-episode drama “Rise of Phoenixes” failed to meet expectations in terms of popularity and viewership. Just 14 days after its release, the estimated daily viewership fell below the platform’s caution line of 16.58 million, resulting in the show’s rating being downgraded from the initial highest level of S+ to S.
In fact, this is not the first time Dilraba Dilmurat has faced declining viewership in recent years. From 2022 to the present, in nearly four years, five of her TV dramas, including “Prosecutor Rose,” “Meeting You for the First Time,” and “Joy of Life,” failed to achieve significant viewership.
Nevertheless, despite her works not gaining much attention, Dilraba Dilmurat’s popularity remains unwavering. Known to trend frequently, she didn’t rely on artificial boosts to trend. Her exceptional linguistic talents were showcased on a mystery show, where she could fluently repeat phrases in Russian and Thai without hesitation; her performance of Uyghur dance at events was mesmerizing, and her hidden strength was demonstrated on “Everyday Flowers and Youth” when she effortlessly carried two large suitcases downstairs.
These trends have garnered Dilraba Dilmurat over 80 million followers on Weibo. Her high national recognition has solidified her position as one of the top stars in the Chinese entertainment industry. However, after eight years as a top star, Dilraba Dilmurat seems to have followed the path of her former boss, Yang Mi: famous but with declining viewership. Both “Queens of Jaywalk” have shared similar fates: high popularity and fan love as artists but struggling to attract viewers through their works.
Nevertheless, Yang Mi has found ways to overcome this challenge. This year, her portrayal of “Ning Xiuxiu” in the highly acclaimed drama “Hand in Hand” changed the public perception of her acting skills and reaffirmed her commitment to acting. Fans also hope that Dilraba Dilmurat can successfully shake off the label of being popular but with declining drama viewership and rediscover her original vibrant self in the future.