The year 2025 marked major changes in China’s entertainment landscape, highlighted by the resurgence of Zhao Lusi, Liu Yifei dominating headlines with a single iconic look, and Xin Zhilei’s dramatic rise in status. According to QQ, the China Audio-Visual Research and Communication Institute has released its list of the 10 most influential artists in China for 2025, based on Baidu data. The ranking includes Liu Yifei, Dilraba Dilmurat, Xiao Zhan, Sun Li, Yang Zi, Jay Chou, Huang Zitao, Zhao Lusi, Song Jia and Xin Zhilei.
Although Liu Yifei has not released a new drama or film in 2025, she has remained a constant focal point thanks to frequent appearances at major award ceremonies and fashion events. A standout moment came at the gala hosted by Vogue, where her elegant hairstyle adorned with Baby’s Breath instantly went viral. The look sparked a nationwide beauty trend, with countless netizens recreating her style. QQ commented that despite over two decades in the industry, Liu Yifei remains a “unshakable reference point of beauty”, making her highly sought after by luxury brands and cementing her status as one of the most powerful figures in entertainment.
Zhao Lusi has had a turbulent year, temporarily stepping away from filming due to health issues and contract disputes with her former management agency. Despite this, she has remained one of the most talked about celebrities. His strong return through drama The ambition of love reignited public interest, while his appearance as the final red carpet guest at Tencent Video’s Starlight Awards, an honor reserved for the most prestigious attendees, signaled his exalted standing. QQ described Zhao Lusi as the most representative figure of the current generation of post-90s leading actresses.
Actors Xiao Zhan and Yang Zi also enjoyed a successful 2025, thanks to hit dramas The Legend of Zang Hai AND Flowering peonyrespectively. Both projects achieved exceptional viewership and ratings on the platform, bolstering their stars’ huge fan base and strong commercial value.
Veteran actresses Song Jia and Xin Zhilei stood out as the most powerful figures of the year thanks to their notable achievements in the acting awards. Xin Zhilei made headlines by winning best actress at the Venice International Film Festival, an achievement widely described as “reshaping the entertainment hierarchy.” It marked a rare international victory for China in recent years. After her win, Xin Zhilei was hailed by mainstream media as the leading figure among actresses born in the 1980s, surpassing established stars such as Liu Yifei, Zhao Liying and Yang Mi, who have yet to secure major international film awards. Domestic Best Actress winners such as Zhang Xiaofei also ranked behind her, making Xin Zhilei one of the brightest names in Chinese entertainment in 2025.
While Xin Zhilei dominated internationally, Song Jia reigned domestically. In 2025, he starred in two works that scored over 9 points on Douban. She won Best Actress for Her and her girls and secured her second Golden Rooster award for best actress for the film His storyconsolidating his authority in both TV and film.
Huang Zitao attracted widespread attention for her fairytale marriage to Xu Yiyang, while Dilraba Dilmurat continued to captivate audiences as the undisputed “queen of the red carpet”. The remaining names on the list include industry veterans Sun Li and Jay Chou. Sun Li maintained his reputation as a drama powerhouse with the hit series A better lifewhile his classic hit Empresses in the palace continues to attract viewers years later. Jay Chou stood out as the only top 10 singer, underscoring his lasting influence on contemporary Chinese music.
Notably, several major stars such as Zhao Liying, Yang Mi and Wang Yibo did not make the top 10 this year, highlighting the fierce competition and evolving power dynamics within China’s entertainment industry.
