As the devastating fire that destroyed eight residential buildings in Hong Kong continues to dominate headlines, many Chinese celebrities have rallied to support the victims with large donations. However, one notable absence from the donor list has sparked public attention: Dilraba Dilmurat, one of the most famous Chinese actresses since the 1990s.
A-list stars such as Cecilia Cheung, Jackson Yee, Xiao Zhan and Yang Zi reportedly donated RMB 1 million (about $140,000) each, while others, such as Han Geng’s family, contributed even more. Amid this wave of charity, netizens noticed that Dilraba’s name was missing, raising the question: “Why is she never seen donating during national tragedies?”
The reaction intensified when netizens recalled his previous donation records. During the 2021 Henan floods, when many celebrities donated at least RMB 1 million, Dilraba reportedly contributed only RMB 500,000. During the Covid-19 epidemic, he reportedly donated RMB 150,000, which was significantly lower than that of his peers. Given her image as an “approval queen” with enormous commercial value, critics have labeled her “stingy despite being rich.”
Pictures of Dilraba from past public appearances have resurfaced alongside sarcastic captions such as “Too rich to care?” AND “Beauty without generosity?” further fueling the online fire.
In defense, fans stressed that charity should come from the heart, not public pressure. They pointed out that Dilraba has consistently supported social causes in private. Since 2012, he has donated to deaf children, visited orphanages and promoted pet adoption, all without fanfare. Supporters argued, “You don’t measure kindness by how much money someone gives. A sincere act, no matter how small, still counts.”
Others pointed out that Dilraba is not a free agent. He has a contract with Jiaxing Media, which takes a large percentage of his earnings. His income is also heavily taxed and, unlike public assumptions, he has faced employment challenges. After suffering negative reactions for the alleged victory in 2018 Goddess of the Golden Eagle rewarded for favoritism, she had limited screen presence and saw no dramatic exit for a few years.
Despite her stunning red carpet presence and A-list visuals that have earned her the title “Queen of the Red Carpet”, Dilraba’s acting career remains under scrutiny, with many of her dramas underperforming in terms of ratings.
While public opinion remains divided, the incident has once again raised questions about celebrity philanthropy, whether it should be expected, publicized or left to personal conscience.
