Comedian Jia Ling from mainland China made headlines for losing 100 pounds for the movie “Hot and Spicy,” only to be repeatedly rumored to have regained the weight quickly, with people commenting that she didn’t stay slim for long before bouncing back. However, a recent photo of Jia Ling engaging in a “cross-border collaboration” on the tennis court with swimming world champion Wang Shun has sparked attention. In the picture, Jia Ling is dressed in athletic wear with toned arms, completely dispelling the rumors of her weight regain.
At 43, Jia Ling, known for her self-directed and acted films such as “Hi, Mom” and “Hot and Spicy,” has achieved great box office success. Especially for her role as a boxer in “Hot and Spicy,” she intentionally gained 88 pounds to film the first half of the movie with a weight of 210 pounds. Overcoming loneliness, pressure, and weight loss plateaus, she then lost 100 pounds in 8 months, essentially shedding half of herself to complete the transformation of the character “Du Leying” in the latter part of the film.
Despite her success at the box office, amassing 3.4 billion yuan for “Hot and Spicy,” Jia Ling seemingly disappeared from the public eye afterwards. Now, returning as a director, her transition from the “chubby girl” to a “muscle goddess” has polarized opinions.
Hong Kong director Wang Jing once speculated that Jia Ling might become the second coming of Teresa Mo, a well-known Hong Kong actress who saw a decline in her career after losing weight and losing her comedic charm. Some netizens joked, “The old Jia Ling was a ‘walking punchline,’ but now she’s like delicate porcelain, beautiful but untouchable.”
In the public opinion sphere, audiences have mixed reactions to Jia Ling’s new image, while some remain skeptical of her “weight-loss myth.” Recently, there were still netizens claiming to have spotted Jia Ling in public with a noticeable bulge in her lower abdomen, reigniting doubts about her weight loss success.
Facing waves of skepticism, Jia Ling did not shy away but rather countered with facts. She recently shared an update on social media, showing a video of herself jump-roping and playing tennis with swimming world champion Wang Shun. Not only were her movements agile, but she appeared in great overall shape. From the footage, her figure still looked slender, with toned arms and legs, showcasing the results of her fitness efforts.
Since the release of “Hot and Spicy,” Jia Ling has maintained her exercise routine. The exposure of this jump-rope video not only reassured fans but also silenced the voices that previously doubted her relapse. Many netizens praised her, saying, “It’s not quick weight loss, it’s real fitness,” and “She’s slimming down healthily.”
According to Chinese media, Jia Ling’s upcoming production, “Blossoms Bloom,” has entered the final stage of production. The film features strong actors such as Zhang Xiaofei and Yang Zi, indicating that the capital market still has full confidence in her. Jia Ling’s struggles reflect the ruthless rules of the entertainment industry: audiences can accept actors changing for roles, but it’s hard for them to accept a “public relations collapse.” She used to be the “irreplaceable fat girl,” but now she has to compete among a group of slim actresses, highlighting the challenges she faces.
责任编辑: 葉紫微