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| “They nominated Xiao Zhan just to boost their exposure” “Did Yang Zi Really Deserve the Magnolia Best Actress Award?” (Image via: Weibo) |
Yang Zi finally had her long-awaited Magnolia Awards moment, but instead of the celebration lasting uninterrupted, the spotlight quickly shifted to an online debate that refuses to fade. After securing the Best Actress trophy at the 31st Magnolia Awards for her performance in Born to be Alive following three previous nominations, the actress became emotional on stage. Within hours, however, social media had turned the victory into one of the most discussed entertainment stories of the year.
For many fans, the award marked the recognition they believed Yang Zi had deserved for years. Her portrayal in the Born to be Alive drama was praised as mature, emotionally layered and a significant step forward in her acting career. Supporters celebrated the emotional acceptance speech, saying her tears reflected years of persistence finally paying off after repeatedly falling short.
Not everyone shared that enthusiasm. Critics and some Chinese netizens argued that fellow nominees including Sun Li, Ren Suxi and Wu Yue delivered performances they considered stronger or more technically accomplished.
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Those opinions quickly spread across social platforms, with many questioning whether the judging panel had made the right choice. As with every awards season, everyone suddenly became an acting expert overnight.
A recurring criticism among many Chinese netizens is not aimed at Yang Zi's career as a whole, but specifically at her performance in Born to Be Alive. They argue that while her acting was solid and emotionally consistent, it did not stand out as exceptional or deliver the kind of transformative performance they associate with a major acting prize.
C-netz suggest that the role was one that numerous experienced actresses could have handled equally well, making it difficult for them to view it as truly award-worthy. Comparisons with fellow nominees Sun Li, Ren Suxi and Wu Yue have therefore become central to the debate, with critics claiming those performances showcased greater depth, complexity and technical skill, even as Yang Zi's supporters strongly disagree and maintain that her subtle approach was precisely what made her performance deserving of recognition.
The discussion intensified after screenshots and short clips of Sun Li and Wu Yue circulated online, with some users claiming their facial expressions suggested disappointment when Yang Zi's name was announced.
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The images rapidly climbed trending topics, fuelling speculation that even fellow nominees were unconvinced by the final result.
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Her fans pushed back almost immediately, arguing the screenshots had been selectively captured and taken out of context.
Full event footage showed the actresses applauding Yang Zi, with supporters accusing some accounts of deliberately creating unnecessary drama from split-second reactions.
Adding another layer to the conversation, some internet users noticed that a trending topic using a derogatory nickname questioning the legitimacy of the award appeared to disappear from social media.
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That development only fuelled further speculation online, with supporters and critics offering competing explanations.
While some viewed it as evidence of moderation, others dismissed the claims as another example of social media rumours spiralling far beyond the original discussion.
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| Their Reactions Don't Lie |
Days before the 31st Magnolia Awards ceremony, Chinese social media was already buzzing with predictions that Yu Hewei and Yang Zi would walk away with the night's top acting honours.
Countless posts from C-netz confidently named the pair as the expected winners, with many claiming the race had become increasingly predictable as the event approached. When both stars were ultimately announced as the winners, those predictions proved accurate, although the result only added more fuel to the online debate that followed.
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Adding even more fuel to the already heated debate, attention also shifted to Xiao Zhan, who narrowly missed out on the Best Actor award, which ultimately went to Yu Hewei. Shortly after the ceremony, Xiao Zhan's studio shared a gala video set to the song "I Don't Want Flowers", prompting fresh speculation among C-netz.
Some interpreted the music choice as a subtle signal that the actor already knew he would not be taking home the trophy and was unfazed by the outcome.
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The debate also spilled over into Xiao Zhan's fan community, where many supporters argued that their favourite actor did not need what some of them described as a "fake award" to validate his career.
They claimed Xiao Zhan has already established himself as a leading performer through his body of work and widespread audience recognition, with some suggesting his nomination simply brought additional attention and publicity to the Magnolia Awards itself.
C-netz also pointed to another detail that quickly gained attention online. Many noted that Li Xian, widely known as one of Yang Zi's closest friends in the entertainment industry, remained completely silent following her Magnolia Awards victory.
The actor has previously congratulated Yang Zi on all career milestones and has consistently posted birthday messages for her over the years, making his absence this time stand out to some fans.
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On 27 June, Yang Zi addressed the moment herself through a lengthy social media post, admitting that winning the Magnolia Award still felt unreal.
She thanked everyone who had supported her journey and reflected on continuing to work with dedication for as long as possible. One line particularly resonated with fans as she wrote that she would continue doing everything within her ability "until the last day I see the sunset," a message many interpreted as her commitment to improving rather than dwelling on criticism.
Meanwhile, commentary across entertainment circles continued to split into two camps. Some observers argued that established actresses like Sun Li and Wu Yue rarely need aggressive publicity because their reputations are already built on years of acclaimed performances.
Supporters insist Yang Zi's emotional performance and years of dedication made her a worthy winner, while critics continue to argue that other nominees delivered more convincing performances this awards season.