Wang Yibo's appearance anxiety and aesthetic game under the halo of Pari...

In March 2025, Wang Yibo as the first Asian artist in Paris Fashion Week debut, became the global spokesman for three major luxury brands, but the raw picture exposure appearance controversy overshadowed the discussion of commercial value. At the LACOSTE show, his styling was said to be problematic, and the contrast between the puffy face in the raw image and the refined image was obvious, so he was teased about “face value fraud”. In contrast to Andrin Brody, his cold expression was interpreted as “tiredness”. Later, at the LOEWE and CHANEL events, although it was partially praised, the controversy of “50/50 body shape” and “sagging skin” continued.

The controversy reflects the harsh scrutiny of the entertainment industry on the appearance of male celebrities. 27-year-old Wang Yibo has been labeled as “past his prime”, in contrast to his youthfulness during his “Order of Love” days. Netizens compared him to Xiao Zhan, who is six years older, and thought that the latter's “frozen state” was more in line with the expectations of the top stream. Behind this contrast is the public's anxiety about the shelf life of male stars, and Wang Yibo's fatigue has become a trigger point.

The controversy has not affected Wang Yibo's fashion resources, and his in-depth cooperation with brands is seen as a “broken circle success”. Some fans emphasized that artists should not be defined by their appearance, and that the adventurous spirit and professionalism he demonstrated in Exploring New Frontiers is the core of his influence. Commentaries point out that excessive focus on face value has narrowed the artist evaluation system and exacerbated the industry's inward spiral.

Wang Yibo's Paris controversy epitomizes the collision between the flow economy and aesthetic standards. In the public opinion arena of “face value is justice”, the public needs to be alert to the tendency to alienate artists into “perfect consumer goods”. Fans are calling for attention to be paid to the artist's true vitality and professional pursuits, rather than the details of their appearance. This controversy may be an opportunity for the industry to reflect on the fact that when aesthetic anxiety ebbs, the professionalism and truthfulness of artists is the power to withstand time.