Liu Yifei’s sudden absence from the 2025 Magnolia Awards has become one of the biggest controversies in China’s entertainment industry this year. From her confident appearance at the nominee banquet to a shocking no-show at the main event, her decision ignited widespread debate about fairness, professionalism, and behind-the-scenes politics in award shows.
Timeline of Events
June 26 – Nominee Banquet
Liu Yifei attended the Magnolia Awards nominee banquet in a golden custom Louis Vuitton gown, skipping a major LV fashion show happening the same night in Shanghai. Her attendance was widely interpreted as a sign of confidence, with many believing she was the frontrunner for Best Actress thanks to her performance in The Tale of Rose. She warmly interacted with jury members and fellow nominees.
June 27 – Awards Ceremony Day
On the day of the ceremony, Liu Yifei’s team abruptly canceled all scheduled appearances around 5 PM. She missed the red carpet and the entire ceremony. Her seat was left empty and her name was removed from the official guest list. The Tale of Rose cast appeared without her, holding yellow roses symbolically. That night, the Best Actress award went to Song Jia for She and Her Girls.
Rumors and Controversies
Knew the Results in Advance: Several sources claim Liu’s team was informed she would not win and chose to withdraw to avoid awkward optics.
Citizenship Debate: Some netizens speculated her U.S. citizenship might have played a role in the outcome, though the Magnolia Awards have no official nationality restrictions.
Industry “Unspoken Rules”: In Chinese entertainment, it is common for nominees to know results ahead of time. Some argue Liu only attends when she’s certain to win.
Poor Sportsmanship Accusation: Critics claimed she couldn’t handle losing and disrespected her peers and the organizers.
Fans Defend Her Integrity: Supporters praised her for refusing to play along with an unfair system.
Broken Promises?: Bloggers suggested the organizers had initially promised her team a win but changed their decision at the last minute.
Weather Excuse?: Others cited Shanghai’s heavy rain as a possible factor, though major media did not confirm this.
Impact on The Tale of Rose: Her absence made the cast’s presence awkward, and the show’s official account deleted congratulatory posts.
Committee’s Alleged Response
Adding fuel to the fire, an alleged post by the Magnolia Awards committee said:
“Respect the rules, and you will gain respect from your peers.”
Many interpreted this as a veiled message aimed at Liu Yifei, suggesting her decision not to attend went against expected professional conduct.
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| The committe’s response? (Sohu) |
Public and Industry Impact
Viral Sensation: “Liu Yifei’s absence” became the hottest trending topic during the awards, with over 360 million views on Weibo.
Split Reputation: Some branded her ungraceful and arrogant, while others called her courageous and principled.
Personal Image Hit: Her image as emotionally intelligent and poised took a hit in the eyes of some viewers.
Questioning the Award’s Credibility: The incident deepened skepticism about the fairness and transparency of the Magnolia Awards.
Commercial Fallout?: Despite the drama, Louis Vuitton maintained their collaboration with Liu. Her appearance at the banquet gained major international media coverage.
Conclusion
Liu Yifei’s absence from the 2025 Magnolia Awards was more than a personal decision. It highlighted the complex realities of China’s entertainment world—where unspoken rules, image management, and backstage deals can be just as influential as talent and performance. Whether her no-show was a silent protest or a miscalculated move, it became one of the year’s most talked-about controversies.
Sources: Sohu, Weibo Trending, 360 One Travel, TrendingOnWeibo
