The year 2025 has delivered clear, decisive results in two of the most talked-about rivalries among Chinese actresses: Yang Zi versus Dilraba Dilmurat among the post-1990 generation, and Zhao Lusi versus Esther Yu among the post-1995 rising stars. After a period full of controversies, unexpected turns, and audience reevaluations, the balance of power between these “born rivals” has shifted dramatically.

Yang Zi vs. Dilraba Dilmurat

Among the ’90-line actresses, Yang Zi and Dilraba have long dominated public discussion thanks to their star power, beauty, and constant output. Yet the past year has shown an unmistakable divergence in their trajectories.

Yang Zi enjoyed one of the strongest phases of her career with the immense success of Flourished Peony, a drama that reinforced her status as a reliable ratings guarantee. Her ability to handle complex, psychologically rich roles has earned her a place in high-investment productions, positioning her as a true actress with depth and versatility.

Dilraba Dilmurat, meanwhile, struggled through a difficult year. Every project she appeared in underperformed, leading to criticism about her acting choices and stagnation. Although she continues to shine at public events and remains a favorite among advertisers, the industry increasingly views her as more of an entertainment celebrity than a performer known for acting prowess. Without a breakout role or a well-received drama, concerns are growing that Dilraba’s long-standing popularity may start to decline.

Zhao Lusi vs. Esther Yu

A similar pattern unfolded among the ’95-line stars.

Zhao Lusi, who began the year on shaky footing after being hospitalized for exhaustion and accused of exaggerating her condition, made an unexpected and impressive turnaround. Her latest drama became a major hit, and her styling and fashion choices within the series sparked widespread trends. By the end of the year, Zhao Lusi had reclaimed and strengthened her position as one of the most influential young actresses in the industry.

Esther Yu, in contrast, faced a string of damaging controversies. Accusations of bullying colleagues, behaving disrespectfully, and exaggerating her wealthy family background severely tarnished her public image. The backlash grew intense enough that her new drama is now at risk of being shelved indefinitely, marking a sharp decline from the promising momentum she once enjoyed.

By the close of 2025, the results were unmistakable. Yang Zi emerged as the strongest among the post-1990 stars, confidently surpassing Dilraba in both public approval and industry opportunities. Zhao Lusi proved the clear victor among the post-1995 actresses, while Esther Yu entered a period of career uncertainty.

In a year full of upheaval, these rivalries have defined new hierarchies in Chinese entertainmentrevealing who continues to ascend and who must rebuild their path forward.

Sources: HHT