Zhao Liying, a 37-year-old mainland Chinese actress, is set to star in the upcoming film “The Secrets of Qiaoyan,” which is adapted from the novel “Big Qiao Little Qiao.” The suspense film tells the story of Qiaoyan (played by Zhao Liying), who grew up in a remote border town and became a famous actress after years of hard work. The appearance of an anonymous blackmail message disrupts long-buried secrets, and the sudden reappearance of her long-lost sister (played by Xin Zhilei) seems coincidental but points to the same secret, hinting at a larger crisis behind it.
In the film, Zhao Liying plays Qiaoyan, a big star in the entertainment industry who needs to maintain a slender figure through dieting. When asked about her recent thoughts, she surprised everyone by saying, “I don’t want to lose weight. I don’t want to manage my figure. I want to eat to my heart’s content and skip exercising.” Her candid response resonated with many netizens and quickly became a hot topic on Weibo.
Many internet users expressed their agreement with comments like, “This is everyone’s concern!” and “I can totally relate. It’s hard to earn so much money but not be able to eat your fill.” Numerous fans praised Zhao Liying for being “genuine” and “adorable.”
Since her debut, Zhao Liying has appeared in popular TV dramas such as “The Journey of Flower,” “The Legend of Chusen,” and “Princess Agents.” Known as the “Queen of TV ratings” in mainland China, she transitioned from an idol drama actress to a talented female star with series like “Falling Flowers in the Wind” and “Happiness All Around” in 2022. Particularly, her portrayal of Xu Banxia in “Falling Flowers in the Wind” earned her the Flying Apsaras Award for Best Actress and recently won her the Golden Eagle Award for Best Actress, solidifying her position as a leading figure among actresses born in the 1980s.
In fact, since entering the entertainment industry, Zhao Liying has undergone multiple fluctuations in weight for her roles. For instance, playing the food-loving character in “Boss & Me,” she deliberately gained 5 kilograms. In “The Legend of Chusen,” she quickly lost 5 kilograms. During filming for “Grow Up,” her face appeared fuller, prompting comments, to which she responded, “I gained weight while acting.”
Zhao Liying was once recognized as an actress who enjoys food. While filming the movie “Duckweed” directed by Han Han, the cast developed strong bonds, especially over their shared love for food. Zhao Liying nearly ate up all the “food props” before filming started, leading the staff to intervene. Some fans expressed, “Zhao Liying truly loves to eat, it’s evident in every role she plays.” Her reluctance to lose weight has sparked reflections among netizens on the challenges faced by female celebrities who need to maintain a slim figure constantly.