Chinese-American actress Liu Yifei is under fire after skipping the 2025 Magnolia Awards ceremony, where she lost the Best Actress honor to Tong Yao — a decision that has stirred sharp criticism from fans and industry insiders alike.
Liu, 37, received her first-ever nomination for a major domestic television award for her portrayal of Huang Yimei in The Tale of Rose.
Though her performance was widely acclaimed, the coveted title went to veteran actress Tong Yao.
Liu was notably absent from the ceremony, as well as a luxury brand event in Shanghai, where she was expected to attend the same evening.
Her no-show did not go unnoticed.
Fellow nominees Yan Ni, Ma Yili, and Yang Zi were seen congratulating Tong Yao at the ceremony. At the same time, Liu's absence sparked rumors that she deliberately avoided the event due to disappointment over the result.
Chinese media outlet QQ reported that Liu was "deeply affected" by the outcome. However, critics have not been sympathetic. "It's not just about winning.
It's about showing respect to your peers and the process," said one industry analyst quoted by Sina Entertainment.
A member of the Magnolia Awards organizing committee appeared to comment indirectly on Liu's absence.
"Respecting the rules is the only way to earn respect from your peers. Only those who give sweat, effort, and heart deserve the summit," the official said.
The controversy is especially significant given Liu's American nationality.
Because of citizenship restrictions, she is ineligible for other top Chinese television honors, such as the Flying Apsaras Awards and the Golden Eagle Awards.
The Magnolia Awards remain her only path to mainstream TV recognition in China.
Social media has been divided. While some fans defended Liu and called for transparency in the voting process, others questioned her professionalism.
"She should've congratulated the winner and accepted the outcome with grace," read one trending comment on Weibo.
Another wrote, "A real queen doesn't disappear when the crown goes to someone else."
Online forums have also resurfaced earlier criticisms of Liu's alleged diva-like behavior, with some users suggesting that her reaction to the loss may hurt her chances of future nominations.
Liu has not publicly responded to the backlash. Representatives for the actress declined to comment.
This is not the first time Liu has faced scrutiny in the public eye. In April, she was criticized for her demeanor during a live awards show, and earlier this year, her American citizenship drew mixed reactions amid rising nationalism in the Chinese entertainment industry.
Despite the backlash, The Tale of Rose continues to perform nicely with audiences and remains a popular streaming title across Asia.
As of Tuesday, the Magnolia Awards organizers have not issued a formal statement about Liu's absence.
