On April 10, the media outlet “163” reported that actor Chen Xiao’s studio released several unedited photos of him, praising his continuous dedication to his craft in recent years. Fans were alarmed by Chen Xiao’s extremely thin frame, sunken cheeks and visibly fatigued expression, prompting widespread concern over his health.
However, netizens quickly called out the actor, accusing him of manipulating public sympathy. They discovered that most of these unfiltered, gaunt images were taken in 2023 back when Chen Xiao was still married to Michelle Chen, albeit during a period of irreparable marital tension.
This led to suspicions that Chen Xiao is now deliberately crafting a “tragic narrative” to win over public sentiment, subtly implying that his “hellish” marriage caused a physical, emotional and professional decline.
Some believe this is a strategic move ahead of an expected post-divorce showdown with Michelle Chen. Fueling the speculation, rumors emerged on Weibo that Chen Xiao had recently returned to his hometown in Anhui for “healing” after the breakup. During this period, he was also said to be offering free acting lessons to aspiring young performers.
However, his most recent public appearance on March 3 told a different story. At that event, Chen Xiao appeared sharp and radiant, with fans noting his “glowing” visuals. He was cheerful, relaxed, and even smiled and interacted with fans’ cameras a stark contrast to the weary image currently being circulated. Many remarked that post-divorce, Chen Xiao looked like a completely different person compared to the cold, rarely-smiling version of him during his marriage.
Meanwhile, many remain curious about what really happened in 2023 that caused such drastic weight loss and emotional strain. Top paparazzi Zhuo Wei once stirred massive attention by hinting that the reason behind the couple’s divorce was “too shocking to reveal”.
Chen Xiao and Michelle Chen officially announced their divorce on February 18, ending their nine-year marriage. According to Chinese media, their relationship had been tense for at least two years. Chen Xiao allegedly did not return home, did not see his son, and even agreed to walk away from the marriage with nothing just to separate from Michelle Chen a move that earned him heavy criticism for being ruthless.
Within Chinese entertainment circles, Chen Xiao is now considered “the most scandal-ridden Yang Guo” in history. He was previously accused of cheating on Zhao Liying to pursue Michelle Chen, and rumors have also tied him to actresses Jelly Lin and Mao Xiaotong prior to his divorce.
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