Huang Xiaoming faces challenges after rapid 15 kg weight loss

Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming. Photo from Huang's Weibo

He disclosed to The Paper that his weight loss was to match the script’s description of his character in "The Wig." In order to lose weight, he adopted an extreme diet that primarily consisted of vegetable juice and excluded protein for a month.

"During that period, I struggled immensely, felt very uncomfortable, frequently shivered from the cold, and was in a gloomy, unhappy mood," he stated, adding that he felt that the weight loss enabled him to authentically portray his character.

"The Wig," set in the early 2000s, follows Meng Zhong (played by Huang), a law school graduate who fails the bar exam three times and spirals into despair. One rainy night, he vents his frustration and anger on a drunken passenger.

Years later, as a respected public interest lawyer investigating a sexual assault case, Meng encounters Wei Xian, a girl who rekindles memories of that turbulent night, leading to a resurgence of haunting past events.

The film’s director said "The Wig" delves into the internal struggles of young people facing adversity, with Meng donning a wig to mask and evade reality.

Despite its profound themes, the movie did not make the top 10 at the Chinese box office in its first week following its release on Nov. 16, earning 4 million yuan ($552,257). Feedback on online forum Douban indicated that while the film highlights social issues, its narrative lacks coherence across script, setting, film color, music, and acting.

Huang is currently promoting the film across various Chinese provinces. Recently in Xiamen, he apologized to the audience for the disruption caused by his personal life in the media, committing to resolve his issues to prevent further negative impacts.

He went public with his relationship with model Ye Ke in September, who received a cold reception from the public, criticized as "fake, annoying, and exploiting her boyfriend’s fame to sell products." Many social media users pointed to an incident during a livestream as evidence, where Ye repeatedly told Huang "I love you."

On Nov. 11, Ye announced her withdrawal from social media and the deletion of her personal accounts. A Sohu report alleged that she was pregnant, evidenced by a video of Huang accompanying her to a pregnancy check-up in Shanghai on Nov. 9.

Huang, 47, is celebrated in China for his roles in "The Return of the Condor Heroes," "Shanghai Bund," and "Summer’s Desire," among others.

He began dating 32-year-old Ye shortly after his split from ex-wife Angelababy, 35. Both Huang and Ye have endured previous marital failures, with Ye’s prior marriage being to a businessman.

Ye, a Shenzhen University alumna, has also pursued a career in business, founding a fashion brand and opening a beauty salon.