Actress, 18, Loses Baby Fat 6 Days Into Filming New Drama; Director’s “Extreme Weight-Loss Method” Sparks Debate

Over the years, celebs have made headlines for their often surprising, and sometimes extreme, diets.

Now, 18-year-old Chinese actress Ai Mi has caught attention after her signature baby fat was reportedly noticed to have “disappeared” just six days after she started filming new drama Bai Yao Pu.

It turns out the drama’s director, Guo Jingming, is known for putting his stars through an infamous “on-set weight-loss method” — so much so that netizens joke that “no one can leave Guo Jingming’s set still fat”.

But while the strict regimen may deliver quick results, it has also sparked debate online, with many questioning the potential risks it could pose to the actors’ health.

The “16-day Guo Jingming on-set weight-loss method” menu circulating online is split into three stages: three days of “gut cleansing”, six days of “light fasting”, and seven days of “carb cycling”.

The diet involves cutting out oil, salt and sugar completely, including condiments like soy sauce and vinegar. 

It also follows what is known as a “16:8 eating schedule”. During the day, those on the diet are reportedly told to drink more than 2L of warm water or black coffee to avoid looking puffy on camera the next day. From 6pm, they gradually cut back on fluids, and even water is completely off-limits after 8pm.

This isn’t the first time the director’s “boot camp-style” weight-loss method has made headlines.

While filming the 2023 wuxia drama My Journey To You, also directed by Guo Jingming, actress Esther Yu was reported to have lost 4.5kg in just seven days. Her co-star Lu Yuxiao was also said to have dropped from 55kg to 45kg.

And apparently, it’s not just the lead actors who have to follow the strict diet. Extras have reportedly been asked to stick to it too, with one even complaining that their late-night supper came without salt and “had absolutely no taste”.

However, netizens pointed out that this kind of rapid weight loss mainly sheds water weight rather than body fat, especially with such strict food and water restrictions. Once normal eating resumes, the weight can also quickly return.

They also raised concerns about the potential health risks. Cutting back heavily on water and salt can affect the body’s electrolyte balance, leaving people feeling dizzy and tired, and potentially causing heart palpitations or irregular periods. The after-effects could be especially concerning for younger actors.

As a result, many felt that while the diet might help actors look slimmer on camera in a short amount of time, it’s probably not something worth trying at home.

After all, a healthier and more sustainable approach to diet and exercise is still the better way to manage weight in the long run.