Make way “Angels”, because the secret’s out. The newest faces joining the Victoria’s Secret family are popular Chinese actresses Zhou Dongyu and Yang Mi, both of whom the lingerie giant just signed as the brand ambassadors of their Asia region.
Known for her girl next door charisma, the choice to have the fresh faced Zhou Dongyu represent the brand was certainly a big surprise for many, since the actress’ petite skinny frame is very different from the more “sexier” models the brand usually signs in the past like previous ambassadors Ming Xi and He Sui who both have fuller figures.
Nonetheless, her “non-traditional” slender frame doesn’t seem to deter the actress, who takes it all in stride and says “the way I see it, sexiness is being comfortable, nonconformist, and being able to express myself naturally. We should be the ones defining the meaning of being sexy, and not let ourselves be the ones who are defined.”
Frankly speaking, the brand’s efforts to reinterpret sexiness is a refreshing change from the usual traditionalist model, showing perhaps that they’re finally ready to move towards a more inclusive and representative understanding of “sexy”. But as usual, reception of the campaign is divided. Some Netizens appreciate the brand’s effort to embrace diversity and its new message highlighting the importance of being comfortable in your own skin with a positive and optimistic attitude. Others are not so enthusiastic, saying that Zhou Dongyu’s child-like frame is unsuitable to advertise lingerie.
Meanwhile, can the Yang Mi touch also work its magic on the brand’s planned come back in the Asian market? The Chinese megastar commands a high level of fame in some parts of Asia where her dramas are super popular. As the ultimate influencer, fans will definitely sit up and take notice of whatever their idol is buying and promoting. In fact the effect of both celebrity’s endorsement is immediate as engagement on the Victoria’s Secret Weibo platform skyrocketed with likes, comments and reposts jumping up by the thousands after the announcements.
Anonymous
Well I know this is asia and a different culture but lingerie avertissement with spokeperson fully clothe is ridiculous….�� �� Are they advertising the actress or the clothes?? �� ��
neen
Its understandable…even though ZDY and YM aren't sexy women, VS is trying to appeal to an Asian audience. Asia is still quite conservative.
Anonymous
Have you seen YM lol
neen
Yes, I've seen YM…she's not sexy….she's pretty.
Anonymous
Great choice!
Screw haters!!!
Anonymous
Wait … you're right lol. Nvm haaha
Anonymous
Omg they should of got Dilraba, these ZDY is cute, Yang Mi is pretty, but Dilraba is the whole package! Ain't no one is as sexy as she is! Victoria secret is blind! Other sexy are Viann Zhang and Angelababy!
Anonymous
No hate but rlly? Dilraba? She's the same cute as ZDY. Agree with the others tho.
Anonymous
I'm sorry but I really don't understand the hype around Angelababy's appearance I always thought she looked weird.
Anonymous
@4.a ZDY and YM are way skinnier, Dilraba is one of the rare ones that is more meaty. Since they chose 2 people that are consistently similar, it seems they're gearing towards Asian girls. Most Asian girls are chestless and short.
I love ZDY's attitude and how she represent herself professionally, there are endless way to define beauty and there isn't only one type. She is reallllllly beautiful and cute, just not the sexy type but like she say she can be sexy in a different way and I completely agree.
Anonymous
it's all about reputation in Asia. Extremely judgmental society from my personal experiences.
Anonymous
4.c how is Dilraba meaty ? because she's tall? . She is very underweight for her height. All Chinese actresses and even actors look extremely thing to me but that's the beauty standard. Actresses starve themselves and barely eat.
Anonymous
Chestless lmao … Yang Mi anyone??? She's the complete opposite
Rose
@4.d well the thing is some actresses are just naturally light and thin. It's not like they do it intentionally (tho I guess there a LOT who do) but in this involves MiMi and she was technically just born slender. Same for Angelababy.
Anonymous
It's just bc they're more conservative. Lol if you watch Chinese historical dramas they literally think showing a shoulder is inappropriate. So naturally even though we are in modern times now they will still want to be more covered.
Anonymous
It's not Dilraba's height. Dilraba's meat is kind of like Liu Yifei, I don't know both ladies weight but they look similar. They are already super skinny but still have too much meat in the Chinese's standard.
Remember when Liu Yifei took a picture next to Zhao Liying and people call Liu yifei fat? I don't know why that is even call fat. Zhao Liying used to have more meat as well, but she was forced to lose tons of weight to meet the qualifications of a Chinese actress. She was praised a lot about that, Chinese netizens prefer Dilraba and Liu yifei to also lose more weight. Dilraba has a nickname call Fatty Di. She doesn't have the ant's waist that is thinner than A4 sheet paper, I think that is the standard.
However ZDY and YM are naturally skinny since birth so hopefully Victoria Secret is trying to display naturally skinny people, not recommending people to look impossibly skinny when they aren't naturally like that.
Anonymous
@4.b I think it's because some people, like you, find mixed people a bit odd-looking, maybe? I've heard a lot of people say that Dilraba looks a little weird to them too. Angelababy is quarter German and Dilraba is Ughyur (is that how you spell it??).
Anonymous
Wow, they got two of the biggest well known stars to promote lingerie in China???? Usually, famous stars in China will not do these types of CF. Especially, when you have to model in Bra's and underwear as that is considered lowbrow to the the more goody two shoes image that Chinese actress portrays.
So they are modeling pajamas from Victorias Secret, that makes sense to me. Otherwise, I was going to say, what happened to make Yang Mi and Zhou Dong Yu to fall from grace in modeling underwear in China, even if it is Victorias Secret.
Chinese are so conservative, there would be no one that is already establish to model in Underwear even if it is a famous lingerie brand.
Anonymous
It's a bit insultig for model like liu We, he sui or ming xi to call them loWbrow shoes when you know how much they have worked in china and internationally
Nano13
New target audiences for VS .. just business as usual they need to expand their bases in China and Asia…?
Anonymous
YM body is considered sexy to many in China. In fact she is the most searched female celeb among males in all ages…
She is skinny but girl has big boobs. Just she is covering them more as she gets older… to fit a classier and more mature image
Anonymous
Reba has the most endorsement right now because she is young, pretty and sexy. But Yangmi is no doubt more known nationally from old to young. If a foreign brands want to establish or re-position themselves in China, YM is always a better choice. Look at Crocs and VS re positioning themselves by using YM.
That's why she still has many endorsements and stay in the top even after 10 years. Her position is hard to replace.
Endorsement isn't about fitting an image of the brand. But more of what is the image the brand to sell to the customer. In China, they don't want to see sexy but independent and successful. Hence YM is a perfect choice.
Anonymous
Well their job is modeling. Actress hold a different standard… Not insulting but different job different standard.