A growing controversy is unfolding in China as livestreamers increasingly imitate the appearances and personas of famous actors, most notably Liu Yifei, to attract massive audiences and generate profits prompting accusations of plagiarism and potential legal violations.
According to Chinese media outlet 163, livestream shopping platforms such as Douyin (China’s version of TikTok) have seen a sharp rise in so-called “celebrity lookalike” streamers. Instead of directly using real celebrity names which could lead to legal disputes these influencers adopt nearly identical makeup styles, hairstyles, and screen names inspired by top stars such as Liu Yifei, Zheng Shuang, Zhao Lusi, Bai Lu, and Zhang Songwen.
Among the most notable cases is a Douyin account known as Liuliu, which went viral by copying Liu Yifei’s signature look particularly her recent trend of wearing baby’s-breath flowers in her hair. Data from Douyin’s analytics tool shows that the account conducted 48 livestreams that amassed over 42.12 million views, with followers skyrocketing from zero to 96,000 in a short period. At its peak, more than one million viewers reportedly tuned in to watch what was described as “Liu Yifei dancing and selling products.”
Similar tactics have been used by accounts parodying Zhang Songwen, famous for his role in The Knockout. One account, nicknamed “Little Zhang Songwen,” held 18 livestreams and drew over 15 million total views, with as many as 46,000 concurrent viewers during peak moments.
Viewers have expressed surprise and amusement at seeing scenes such as “Liu Yifei dancing,” “Zhang Songwen chopping fish,” or “Zhao Lusi performing fan requests” during sales broadcasts. These lookalike streamers often perform exaggerated or comedic actions that real celebrities would never do, creating novelty and a false sense of intimacy. Many viewers admit they are more willing to spend money or send virtual gifts because these “fake idols” feel more approachable and entertaining.
To deepen the illusion, some streamers even rename their accounts after fictional characters from popular dramas, making it seem as though cast members or production teams are participating in livestreams. Recent dramas such as Love’s Ambition, This Thriving Land, and Moonlight Mystique have reportedly been exploited in this way.
However, legal experts warn that this trend is far from harmless. A newspaper points out that celebrities hold legal rights over their image, likeness, performance, and personal identity. Streamers who deliberately imitate and monetize a star’s appearance may be violating these rights, exposing themselves to lawsuits.
In fact, several Chinese celebrities have already taken legal action against Douyin streamers for unauthorized use of their image and reputation. As the phenomenon of “celebrity imitation livestreaming” becomes normalized, critics argue that platforms must take stronger responsibility to prevent exploitation before it escalates further.
While audiences may find the trend entertaining, the growing backlash suggests that the line between inspiration and infringement is becoming increasingly difficult and dangerous to ignore.
Sources: TP