Recent photos of Huang Yi at an art exhibition in Shanghai left many stunned, as he looked almost unrecognizable. While her dress was criticized for being overly heavy and adding years to her appearance, what attracted the most attention was her facial condition. His dark, bushy eyebrows were compared to “caterpillars” and even more striking was the way his facial muscles barely moved when he smiled. The corners of his mouth appeared slightly crooked and his eyes narrowed unnaturally, leading some netizens to say that he appeared to have “a slanted mouth and uneven eyes.”
This is not the first time that Huang Yi has been criticized for her stiff expressions. She has long been suspected of excessive use of fillers and injectables, resulting in a face that looks increasingly unnatural: a high but bulky nose bridge, enlarged eyelids that resemble Western double eyelids, and heavy, overly plump lips that break the natural harmony she once had.
In 2020, during his appearance on the program Everyone waitingaudiences complained that his expressions seemed frozen and his acting had diminished. Many assumed that excessive cosmetic procedures had limited his facial movements. Although she never admitted to having had surgery, she said in a 2022 livestream that “everyone has the right to pursue beauty” and said she had only made “slight adjustments.”
The change in Huang Yi’s appearance had a significant impact on his acting, especially in the drama Meeting in the moonlight. Her role as Empress reignited heavy criticism: despite her regal costume and sumptuous accessories, her face appeared pale, stiff and overly elongated, as if a thick layer of powder had been applied. Her nose looked strained and the corners of her mouth appeared dark, making her look nothing like her usual self.
On screen, any expression he makes seems unnatural: his smile appears crooked and when he speaks his eyes widen unnaturally towards the camera. The Empress’s gestures and posture were also said to lack the elegance expected of the role. Viewers bluntly commented that her face now looks stiff as “a block of wood,” lacking the flexibility and emotional nuance that once defined his performances.
Her insistence on clinging to youth through cosmetic interventions contrasts sharply with actress Sun Li’s famous advice that artists should embrace aging instead of “aggressively renovating their faces.” Many fans now mourn the loss of Huang Yi’s former beauty.
Huang Yi was once one of the most beloved actresses of her generation. His roles as Li Yuhu in the wrong carriage, right groom, Feng Suzhen in The New Woman, the Imperial Son-in-LawAND Xiao Yanzi in My Beautiful Princess III she showcased her classic beauty, vibrant charm and expressive acting. These performances remain audience favorites, making it even more disappointing for fans to see how drastically she has “slipped down” in her attempt to preserve youth through cosmetic enhancements.
Sources: K14
