Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, who was awarded the “International Chapter”, recently attended a branding event. Her appearance at the event sparked a heated debate due to the noticeable difference in her looks compared to a bare-faced photo taken at a gym a month ago. Many speculated whether she had undergone plastic surgery, as she appeared to have “regressed” back to her 20s.
Last month, a netizen shared a photo on social media of Zhang Ziyi at a gym. She was wearing a tight black striped sports top and shorts, appearing completely natural without any retouching. Although her facial features remained deep, there were clear signs of fine lines and aging on her face, leading many netizens to praise her for aging “naturally and fearlessly”.
At the branding event on September 9, Zhang Ziyi’s appearance showed a drastic contrast, giving the impression of a “mysterious rejuvenation”, which drew attention from many netizens. That evening, she wore a black fitted see-through evening gown, exuding elegance and showcasing an outstanding figure. The most striking and controversial aspect was her facial transformation – her skin appeared tight, almost wrinkle-free, and her jawline seemed refined, making it hard for netizens to recognize her.
Some netizens pointed out that Zhang Ziyi’s ear shape looked different from before, visually appearing larger with thicker earlobes and outward angles, raising suspicions of having undergone physical facelift surgery that pulled the skin on her face tightly towards both sides, causing the deformation. Others speculated that the effect could be attributed to the lighting at the venue and the heavy beauty filters commonly used on Chinese social media platforms.
In fact, Zhang Ziyi’s appearance in the first half of this year has been a topic of discussion multiple times. She previously clarified during other events that from March to April, while filming for the new movie “The Search for the Lost Child” produced by Cao Baoping, in which she portrayed a lower-class mother who tragically lost her child, she deliberately gained 10 kilograms and transformed her appearance with balding makeup and a haggard bare face to suit the role.
Although Zhang Ziyi stated that she had returned to her original figure through disciplined fitness training after the completion of the new film, the drastic change in her weight in a short period of time is one of the main reasons for the sudden fluctuation in her facial appearance and the ensuing plastic surgery speculation.