Once celebrated as top-tier beauties of Chinese showbiz, Zhao Wei and Fan Bingbing have taken two very different paths after losing their former glory.
In 1997, the drama My Fair Princess became a cultural phenomenon across Asia, catapulting its young cast into stardom. Two of the most iconic faces were Zhao Wei, who played Xiaoyanzi, and Fan Bingbing, who portrayed Jinsuo. After 27 years, their once dazzling careers now reflect bittersweet turns: one star is drowning in debts, while the other sustains herself through livestream sales.
Zhao Wei – From A-list Star to Financial Collapse
For over a decade, Zhao Wei was one of China’s biggest stars, amassing both fame and fortune through acting, business ventures, and stock market investments. However, since 2021, when her works were suddenly removed from major platforms, Zhao Wei’s name has all but vanished from the entertainment industry.
Her financial scandals delivered the heaviest blow. Together with ex-husband Huang Youlong, Zhao Wei was found guilty of securities fraud and ordered to compensate hundreds of investors, with payouts totaling tens of millions of USD. In one lawsuit alone, they paid about 57.7 million RMB. Reports also revealed Zhao Wei faced over 500 additional lawsuits with compensation claims amounting to around 13 million USD.
Adding to her woes, her divorce further drained her finances. Under the settlement, she was required to pay more than 50 million USD to her ex-husband’s son. Once hailed as one of the youngest billionaires in showbiz, Zhao Wei is now unable to cover even modest debts. Properties, including her Hong Kong villa, were auctioned off, while shares in companies were frozen.
Recently, Zhao Wei reappeared on social media, showing a drastically changed image—bare-faced, weary, and disheveled during a trip to Xinjiang. She remains in self-imposed exile, staying away from entertainment events. She once posted a quote: “Courage is not saying ‘I’m not afraid,’ but admitting your vulnerability.” It reflects the struggles of a once-revered actress now battling enormous debts and seeking inner peace.
Fan Bingbing – The “Red Carpet Queen” Reinvents Herself
In contrast, Fan Bingbing, though also shaken by her 2018 tax evasion scandal, has demonstrated resilience and adaptability. She was ordered to pay over 800 million RMB, nearly ending her career. Film projects were canceled, her image erased from media, and the once-dominant “red carpet queen” seemed destined for obscurity.
Yet Fan Bingbing chose to rebuild. She launched her cosmetics brand, Fan Beauty Secret, transforming livestream sales into a surprising lifeline. What critics once mocked as “demeaning” turned into a goldmine. In June 2025, during a livestream with top influencer Li Jiaqi, 100,000 boxes of her masks sold out in just 10 seconds. In 2024, her brand’s revenue reached an estimated 1.45 billion RMB, ranking among China’s top 100 beauty companies.
Although banned from directly appearing on livestream platforms, she operates behind the scenes, hiring influencers and celebrities to represent her products. From global star to “hidden” entrepreneur, Fan Bingbing is gradually restoring her reputation. At the same time, she is cautiously stepping back into acting, joining international projects such as Ice Road: Vengeance alongside Liam Neeson, signaling hopes of reclaiming her place on screen.
Sources: K14
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