Comedian-turned-actress Jia Ling from mainland China made headlines when she shed 100 kilograms for the comedy film “Hot and Spicy.” The rapid weight loss led to side effects such as loose skin and prominent wrinkles, sparking public discussion. In a recent interview, she admitted that she has experienced weight rebound and mentioned that her popularity with the audience has decreased since losing weight. On December 17th, the hashtag #JiaLingRespondsToDecreaseInPopularityAfterWeightLoss# trended on social media, reaching the number one spot.
Jia Ling’s self-directed and self-acted film “Hot and Spicy” was released during the Chinese New Year this year, grossing 4.17 billion yuan on the first day and achieving a total revenue of nearly 35 billion, securing the title of the highest-grossing film of 2024 in advance. However, since Jia Ling shed 100 kilograms in the movie, the topic of her regaining weight has repeatedly made it to the top of online trending discussions.
During a recent interview, Jia Ling talked about her weight loss journey for role preparation and addressed the issue of declining audience support after losing weight. She disclosed that to portray a boxer character, she intentionally gained 40 kilograms to shoot the first half of the film at 210 kilograms. Subsequently, she underwent boxing training while losing 100 kilograms over eight months. After achieving the boxer’s physique, she filmed the second half of the movie, completing a transformative portrayal of the character Du Leying.
Having successfully slimmed down, Jia Ling is constantly under scrutiny regarding whether she has regained weight. She admitted that she is indeed a bit heavier now, as during the filming of “Hot and Spicy,” her body fat percentage was too low at 115 kilograms. She described herself as having “only one layer of skin with muscles underneath, as muscles need to be visible.”
Jia Ling expressed that the low body fat percentage was solely for visual effects, emphasizing that it is unsustainable for fitness enthusiasts. After completing the movie, some fat naturally returned, causing her to gain some weight. Nonetheless, she is not overly concerned and joked, “My weight may fluctuate, but the audience can adapt.”
In the interview, Jia Ling mentioned that people initially struggled to accept her significant transformation after losing weight. Some netizens even commented candidly that Jia Ling’s impeccable popularity seems to have waned. She reassured that it is okay to rebuild connections slowly, saying, “Those who understand me naturally will continue to do so. My weight has decreased, but my spirit remains unchanged. Give the audience some time and give myself some time.”
Although her current face appears slightly rounder with fewer sharp angles compared to the past, some netizens view the post-weight rebound Jia Ling as healthy, cheerful, radiant, and well-proportioned, considering it her best state. She did not mention any future plans for variety shows or skits during the interview. Jia Ling revealed that she is currently directing a movie titled “Blossoms Change of Mind,” which has a lengthy production cycle and is halfway through filming. The audience reception upon the film’s release remains to be observed and verified.