Yang Mi Steps Aside, Zhong Chuxi Takes Center Stage: The Comments Section Erupts Over Lack of Good Works

Written by Fei Bo Xiao Zhang

When it comes to red carpets, the flashing lights, flowing gowns, and smiles seem to belong to the glamorous entertainment industry by nature. However, this time, one name broke all the “standing order”.

She has no blockbuster dramas. She has not portrayed any deeply resonant characters. Yet, in a group photo, she stepped right into the spotlight.

She is Zhong Chuxi. The woman who can trend online with just one misstep.

01

That night at the VOGUE 20th Anniversary Gala, the lights on stage created a golden dream. Everyone’s face was poised, and their gowns were neatly arranged. But the real awkwardness came during the few minutes of the “group photo”.

There was no clear positioning, no prior arrangements. Those names that usually hang high in the sky suddenly didn’t know where to stand. Some were adjusting their gowns, others were looking around, and the scene was a bit chaotic and stiff.

Liu Yifei’s center position was already set, and the spot next to her was empty. Then, she just stepped over.

Without much thought. Perhaps she really didn’t think much.

But the next second, the internet exploded.

Some questioned: “What right does she have to stand next to Liu Yifei?”

Some criticized: “Where’s her acting? What about her works?”

The comments section was “stormed” overnight, and even those fans who usually praised her beauty began to hesitate about whether to speak up.

02

In fact, this is not the first time Zhong Chuxi has been overwhelmed by such topics. A few years ago, when “Youth” was released, she was elevated to stardom with just a graceful gesture. Later, she filmed many works, but the ones that audiences remembered became fewer and fewer.

Some say she focuses too much on her appearance, while others say she is too clever, knowing how to make herself stand out in occasions. But the harsh reality is—without good works and popularity in the entertainment industry, no matter how well you dress, you are just a “background board” in others’ discussions.

That night, some said she could have taken a step back. But she didn’t.

Perhaps she knows that taking a step back means becoming invisible. The fear of “disappearing from the frame” is something only those who have experienced it can understand. Maybe, at that moment, she just wanted the photographer to remember her outline.

Yang Mi was right behind her, gently pulled forward by Nazha. Liu Shishi, Zhou Dongyu, and Ma Sichun were chatting nearby, smiling. The cameras flashed, and everyone was testing their “safe zones”.

If you look closely at that group photo, you will find that the positioning is actually quite chaotic. There is no so-called hierarchy, just some awkward moments stirred by fame, decorum, and anxiety.

03

The trending topic lasted all day, and the criticisms went through several rounds. Zhong Chuxi remained silent. She didn’t issue a statement or defend herself. Just the next afternoon, she posted a dance practice video on social media, captioned with five words: “Don’t lose the rhythm.”

The video didn’t gain much traction, but she smiled easily. Some said it was a subtle jab, while others said it was self-deprecation. But I always felt it was more like a self-soothing statement.

Over the years, she has indeed lacked representative works, and her acting has not been proven again. But she knows better than anyone that the light in the entertainment industry is not evenly distributed. It is always an unfair game: you either shine with your works or you can only fight for presence on the red carpet.

She chose the latter.

04

Looking back at that so-called center position photo, to be honest, who still remembers who stood where? As netizens criticized, they turned to wait for the next trending topic.

Only she continues to walk in the wind. Endorsements, events, promotions, without changing her expression.

Perhaps, from the outside, she seems “too eager to be famous”, too “competitive for position”. But from another perspective? She just isn’t willing to be forgotten like this.

The true “center position” is not about where you stand in a photo, but whether you can leave a role in people’s hearts.

Some rely on looks, some on tactics, while she perhaps relies on neither. She is just still striving to prove that beyond “beauty”, she can act.

Zhong Chuxi may not be the brightest light in her life. But she is the one who does not exit the stage, a clear-headed and stubborn actress.

Without works, the position has never been stable. The red carpet will eventually end, but only works can leave the true center position.