Angelababy’s prolonged absence from Chinese screens has become one of the most talked-about topics in C-ent. Since the fallout from Lisa’s Crazy Horse controversy, which triggered a wave of unofficial “shadow bans” across the Chinese entertainment industry, Angelababy has found herself frozen out of the mainland market with zero acting invitations for 935 days.
But insiders and viewers alike point out that even without the controversy, Angelababy was already standing on shaky ground. Despite years of leading roles and high-profile exposure, her acting career has been consistently weighed down by weak performances, poor script choices, and dramas that frequently dragged down her co-stars.
“The 935-day Silence isn’t Surprising”: A Career Built on Flops
For much of her career, Angelababy was paired with top-tier leading men yet the projects consistently underperformed, often becoming the worst-rated entries in their filmographies.
1. Song Weilong – “Everlasting Longing”
Her most recent project before the ban. The chemistry was flat, the acting stiff, and the script amateurish. The drama flopped badly and it marked Angelababy’s last on-set appearance before her indefinite halt.
After the drama, Song Weilong’s career also dipped, with subsequent works like “Youthful Glory” and “The Bionic Life” performing poorly.
2. Wallace Chung – “General and I”
A massive-budget project that became infamous for all the wrong reasons: terrible CGI, distracting green-screen shots, disjointed storyline and both leads criticized for “lazy acting” despite sky-high pay.
The drama is still regarded as Wallace Chung’s biggest career misstep, pushing him out of leading-man stature into “father of the male lead” roles.
3. Ren Jialun – “Twilight”
Fans feared his collaboration with Angelababy would be a setback. They were right. The drama left no impact, adding to a line of later disappointments for Ren Jialun, such as “The Blue Whisper”.
4. Lai Kuanlin – “Love the Way You Are”
Already criticized for immature acting, Lai Kuanlin’s reputation took a harsher hit after this drama’s failure. The backlash pressured him so severely that he left acting entirely and shifted to directing.
5. Deng Lun – “My True Friend”
Perhaps the most debated case. Deng Lun was a top-tier star thanks to hits like “Because of You”, “Princess Agents” and “Ashes of Love”. After working with Angelababy, his momentum weakened and by 2022, his tax scandal resulted in a full industry ban.
Many viewers half-jokingly refer to this as the “Angelababy curse”, noting how many of her male co-stars faced downturns after working with her.
The Shadow Ban Made it Worse but The Root Issue Runs Deeper
Angelababy’s indirect involvement in the Crazy Horse controversy triggered a mainland broadcasting blackout, cutting off variety appearances, brand deals, and drama opportunities.
But industry experts emphasize: “The ban wasn’t the only problem. Angelababy never built a strong enough acting foundation to survive a crisis.”
While she remains a top-tier celebrity in name and commercial influence, her resume lacks critically acclaimed performances making her difficult to cast in a competitive environment that increasingly demands skill over fame.
Will She Ever Return?
As of day 935 with no filming invitations, Angelababy’s future remains uncertain. Some believe that once the political sensitivity fades, she may slowly reappear in: fashion events outside mainland China, short-form variety content and low-risk cameo roles.
However, a full-scale comeback in domestic acting seems unlikely without a fundamental shift in public perception something difficult to achieve after years of poorly received performances.
Sources: Weibo
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