According to Chinese media, fans of the two actresses recently clashed after rumors claimed that Liu Yifei accepted the contract of Liu Shishi’s former beauty brand with a 30% lower endorsement fee. The controversy began after Liu Shishi appeared at a recent Vogue China event. Her tired appearance attracted criticism online, with some netizens saying she looked older and lacked energy.
Many then compared her to Liu Yifei, who previously appeared as the closing star at Vogue’s 20th anniversary event and received praise for her beauty and elegant aura. Shortly after, rumors spread that Liu Shishi had lost her endorsement deal with luxury cosmetics brand Bobbi Brown. Another rumor then claimed that Liu Yifei had only taken over the contract at 70% of the previous rate.
The keywords quickly climbed Weibo’s search rankings, while fans on both sides argued intensely. Liu Shishi officially became Bobbi Brown’s global ambassador in June 2024. After nearly 2 years of cooperation, her contract was set to end at the end of May 2026, and the brand did not renew it.
However, many netizens believe that the claim that Liu Yifei lowered his compensation by 30% is unreasonable. Liu Yifei has long been considered one of the most sought-after post-85 actresses in the world of fashion and advertising. He has represented major global brands such as Louis Vuitton, Bvlgari, Shiseido, Tissot, Jo Malone London and Abu Dhabi Tourism. For this reason, many believe that Liu Yifei has no reason to reduce his value just to compete for resources.
Some also pointed out that Liu Shishi was once described in the media as a “little Liu Yifei” when he debuted, demonstrating how firmly Liu Yifei’s status had already been established. As the debate grew, more and more voices questioned the logic of the rumor. Du Hao, chief executive of Dreame Technology, previously described Liu Yifei as one of the highest-paid celebrities in China, saying brands choose her for her influence and commercial value.
Industry observers also argue that top-tier stars usually maintain a stable pricing system. A sudden and significant reduction in tariffs could damage not only the personal image of the celebrity but also the market standard of the entire industry. There are also reports that Liu Yifei’s collaboration with Bobbi Brown was actually finalized in April 2026, and the commercial had already been filmed at that time.
Given that Liu Shishi’s contract only officially ended in late May, some believe the brand simply groomed its next ambassador in advance, a common practice in the entertainment and advertising industry. For now, neither Liu Yifei nor Liu Shishi have directly responded to the rumors. However, the controversy has once again demonstrated how quickly luxury endorsements can become a battleground for celebrity fandoms.
Sources: DL
