On June 27th, the Shanghai Magnolia Television Festival took place as scheduled, with the nominees for various awards being announced. Popular dramas such as Ordinary People, The Story of Rose, and Joy of Life Season 2 all made it onto the longlist for the TV drama category.
Beyond the drama nominations, the spotlight naturally fell on the candidates for Best Actor and Best Actress. The male contenders included Jing Dong, Wang Baoqiang, Zhang Ruoyun, Wang Xiao, and Yu Hewei. Personally, I’m leaning towards the seasoned and charismatic Jing Dong as the frontrunner.
On the female side, the nominees were Liu Yifei, Ma Yili, Song Jia, Yan Ni, and Yang Zi—a strong blend of acting prowess and popular appeal. Judging by pure acting skills, Song Jia seems to have a good chance of taking the award.
With the nominee lists finalized, the real excitement shifted to the red carpet, where stars dazzled and put their best foot forward to impress the audience.
Starting with official photos, Liu Yifei undoubtedly stole the show that evening. Wherever she went, all eyes were on her. Draped in a stunning gold evening gown, her long hair flowing over her shoulders, her porcelain skin and regal aura perfectly lived up to the title of a “living treasure flower.”
Yang Zi also made a striking impression. Playful and charming, she wore a simple yet elegant white low-cut gown that accentuated her fresh and flawless look. The dress’s understated design was far from plain—it radiated pure sophistication.
Song Jia chose a different style, appearing in a crisp white tailored blazer paired with a matching short skirt. Her polished makeup and sleek hairstyle gave her a powerful yet graceful presence—both beautiful and commanding.
Then there’s the ever-charming Yan Ni, the beloved “Lady Manager Tong.” Yan Ni wore a black gown with subtle sheer detailing across the chest. Even in her fifties, she exuded a captivating allure and flawless poise. Her presence truly earned her the reputation as the queen of enduring elegance.
After enjoying the polished official shots, it’s worth sharing some candid, unedited photos from the event. Seeing these celebrities in a more natural light might surprise you—do they still look like your favorite stars?
Let’s start with the “fairy sister” Liu Yifei. Unlike the radiant official photos, the candid shots show her with slightly darker skin and a more elongated face. But it’s clear she’s lost a lot of weight recently, likely from dedicated preparation for the red carpet. Overall, even in these raw pictures, Liu Yifei’s beauty, charisma, and figure still stand far above average.
Ma Su, wearing a dress similar to Yan Ni’s with chest sheer panels, also looked elegant and graceful. However, she still carries an image some consider “old-fashioned,” and her presence felt a bit less commanding compared to others.
It’s well-known that Hu Xing’er, a former Miss Hong Kong and runner-up, knows how to dress impeccably. She stunned in a red tailored suit, standing out among other celebrities at the same spot. Her height and poise made her notably more striking than many others around her.
Wan Qian, fresh from winning Best Actress at the Shanghai Film Festival just days ago, appeared again on the Magnolia Awards red carpet. Her signature short hair and white low-cut dress were eye-catching. At 166 cm and weighing just 88 pounds, she seemed quite thin—an extra 10 pounds might make her look even better.
Wu Yue donned a black gown that wasn’t flashy but carried a refined texture. Without makeup, her eyes showed deeper sockets and a bit of weariness, reflecting her years in the industry. Although not considered a classic beauty, Wu Yue’s strength lies in her aura and remarkable ability to embody her roles.
Returning to Yan Ni, the full-body shots showed her figure in perfect balance—not too thin or heavy. Her smile was soft and tender. There’s a unique charm about her—an effortless magnetism in every gesture that quietly captures attention. That’s true femininity at work.
Moving on to the men on the red carpet, most wore classic suits, sometimes paired with bow ties. Nie Yuan’s proportions looked a bit off, possibly due to the camera angle or hairstyle—quite different from his usual on-screen image.
Lin Gengxin remained handsome but appeared to have lost some youthful fullness, giving a slightly mature vibe.
You might agree that Wang Baoqiang, dressed sharply in a suit and properly groomed, looked surprisingly good—definitely more polished than before.
In a group photo of the stars, aside from veteran Chen Baoguo and Tong Yao, many faces were less familiar. Chen Baoguo, approaching 70, looked remarkably healthy, dispelling recent rumors about his health issues.
In summary, the candid photos reveal some differences from the retouched images but nothing too drastic. The takeaway? Celebrities are still celebrities—an aura and presence that not just anyone can claim.
