Overseasidol.com — On October 14, Chinese actress Zhao Yingzi once again made headlines after dropping a bold statement during her livestream.
When a fan asked why she rarely takes acting roles these days, Zhao responded frankly, “Why do I prefer streaming at home? Because I’m older now, and I can’t handle the hardships of filming anymore. I can’t stand shooting all night, wearing summer clothes in winter and winter clothes in summer. It’s ruining my health — I feel like I’ve lost 20 years of my life. So I’d rather stay home and stream,”.
Her words quickly went viral, sparking heated discussions across social media. Some netizens expressed understanding, saying, “Livestreaming is much easier and more interactive with fans that’s fine,”.
Others, however, were more critical: “So basically, she’s saying she’s given up on being an actress to become an influencer?,”. One sharp comment read, “But does anyone even want to cast her anymore?”
The skepticism isn’t entirely baseless. Data shows that top streamers can earn tens of millions of yuan from a single livestream, even after platform fees.
The income is often higher than most acting fees. Moreover, livestreaming is done indoors, with flexible hours and little physical strain a clear contrast to the demanding film sets that require sleepless nights and extreme weather conditions.
Yet behind Zhao’s “easier choice” lies a sense of resignation. Once considered a rising star, Zhao’s career has been marred by missed opportunities and public controversies.
She previously admitted that she had “poor judgment” in choosing scripts, turning down hit roles like the second female lead in Love Between Fairy and Devil, which later became a breakout success.
In recent years, Zhao has also faced backlash for her attention-grabbing stunts from calling herself part of the “DiMiMengZha” trio, to a dramatic red carpet “fall,” and emotional revelations during livestreams.
These controversies have damaged her reputation and reduced industry interest in casting her, leading to a cycle of “fewer acting offers more livestreaming even fewer acting offers”.
