A growing controversy is brewing in China as livestreamers increasingly imitate the appearances and characters of famous actors, particularly Liu Yifei, to attract huge audiences and generate profits, sparking accusations of plagiarism and potential legal violations.
According to Chinese media 163, live streaming shopping platforms such as Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) have seen a sharp increase in so-called “celebrity lookalike” streamers. Instead of directly using real celebrity names that could lead to legal disputes, these influencers adopt nearly identical makeup styles, hairstyles, and screen names inspired by top stars such as Liu Yifei, Zheng Shuang, Zhao Lusi, Bai Lu, and Zhang Songwen.
Among the most notable cases is a Douyin account known as Liuliu, which went viral by copying Liu Yifei’s signature look, especially her recent trend of wearing baby flowers in her hair. Data from Douyin’s analytics tool shows that the account conducted 48 live streams that amassed over 42.12 million views, with followers skyrocketing from zero to 96,000 in a short period. At its peak, more than a million viewers reportedly tuned in to watch what was described as “Liu Yifei dancing and selling products.”
Similar tactics were used by accounts parodying Zhang Songwen, famous for his role in The Knockout. One account, nicknamed “Little Zhang Songwen,” held 18 live streams and garnered more than 15 million total views, with as many as 46,000 concurrent viewers during peak moments.
Viewers expressed surprise and amusement when seeing scenes such as “Liu Yifei dancing”, “Zhang Songwen cutting fish”, or “Zhao Lusi carrying out fans’ requests” during sales broadcasts. These lookalike streamers often perform exaggerated or comical actions that real celebrities would never do, creating novelty and a false sense of intimacy. Many viewers admit that they are more willing to spend money or send virtual gifts because these “false idols” feel more accessible and fun.
To reinforce the illusion, some streamers even rename their accounts after fictional characters from popular dramas, making it appear as if cast members or production teams participate in the live streams. Recent dramas such as Love’s Ambition, This Thriving Land, and Moonlight Mystique have reportedly been exploited in this way.
However, legal experts warn that this trend is far from harmless. A newspaper points out that celebrities have legal rights to their image, likeness, performance and personal identity. Streamers who deliberately imitate and monetize a star’s appearance may be violating these rights, opening themselves up to lawsuits.
In fact, several Chinese celebrities have already taken legal action against Douyin streamers for unauthorized use of their image and reputation. As the phenomenon of “celebrity impersonation livestreaming” becomes normalized, critics argue that platforms must take more responsibility to prevent exploitation before it escalates further.
While the public may find this trend amusing, the growing backlash suggests that the line between inspiration and violation is becoming increasingly difficult and dangerous to ignore.
Sources: TP
