Liu Yifei, often revered as China’s “fairy sister” for her ethereal beauty, is now facing backlash online over allegedly edited images shared during her recent trip to Abu Dhabi for the Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The actress posted a series of photos on social media, showing off a cropped top and impressively slim waist. Fans initially praised the star, noting her stunning figure at nearly 40 years old. However, praise quickly turned to scrutiny after Liu accidentally uploaded an unedited animated photo revealing a less slender midsection than in her original posts.

“The fairy illusion was shattered,” wrote one netizen, as comparisons between the edited and original images flooded social platforms. The unedited clip, which was quickly deleted and replaced by a still image, sparked widespread discussion about body image pressures and the authenticity of celebrity appearances online.

This incident isn’t Liu’s first brush with controversy over digitally altered visuals. She has previously been called out for discrepancies between her red carpet photos and candid images captured by fans or media, often showing stark differences. Critics have urged the star to focus on fitness rather than excessive editing.

Despite these incidents, Liu Yifei remains one of China’s most iconic actresses. Born on August 25, 1987, she gained early fame through classic roles in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (2003) and The Return of the Condor Heroes (2006), later expanding her reach with performances in The Forbidden Kingdom, The Assassins, and Disney’s Mulan (2020), where she became one of the few Chinese actresses to lead a Hollywood blockbuster.

While fans continue to admire her acting and aura, this latest Photoshop controversy has reignited debates about unrealistic beauty standards in the entertainment industry. Whether Liu will address the issue remains to be seen, but the incident has undoubtedly added a layer of complexity to her otherwise pristine public image.