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Alice Yan

A Taiwanese singer has sparked controversy for performing a “vacuum belly” workout routine at a concert in northwestern China.
Videos of Ella Chen Jiahua showing her contracted belly, with her ribs prominently protruding, at her concert in Xian, Shaanxi province on March 7 have gone viral on social media, China Youth Daily reported.
Chen, 44, tells her audiences: “I would like to perform a stunt for you. Please look at me carefully. Cameramen, please zoom in on me.”
She begins the movement while explaining: “First breathe in air deeply. Then exhale and let out all the air slowly.”

At this point, Chen holds her breath and shrinks her belly and holds the position for about 10 seconds, triggering roars from the audience.
“This is actually a yoga movement,” Chen says.
The singer shot to fame in China in the early 2000s as a member of the Taiwanese girl band S.H.E.
Compared with the other two singers’ elegant look and gentle temperament, Chen has been described as a tomboy thanks to her short hair and mischievousness.

Despite this, she was the first of the three to get married and have a child. Chen married a Malaysian businessman in 2012, and gave birth to their son in 2017.
Over the past few years, Chen, who has 16 million followers on social media in China, has been celebrated for sticking to her music career and her self-discipline in keeping fit.
She is said to have a low body fat percentage of 16.7. Her self-invented weight-loss methods, such as running on the spot, have trended on social media.

While her supporters were wowed by her “vacuum belly” performance, many internet users frowned upon it.
“Do not do this. It is horrible,” said one online observer.
Another person shared the same feeling: “It scared me. She is too thin.”
The practice of “vacuum belly” is popular on social media in China as an effective way to remove a bulging lower abdomen.
However, doctors warned the public not to blindly follow the trend, saying it could cause headaches and even a hernia, according to the report.
Women who have just given birth and whose belly and pelvic floor muscles have not recovered, and people with lumbar vertebra problems, should not do it, say medical experts.

The incident has sparked a heated discussion on mainland social media.
“This ‘vacuum belly’ performance is not difficult for anyone who works out regularly,” said one internet user.
Another person said: “This does not project correct values. She should promote that whatever their appearance, a girl should be confident. Slimness does not equal beauty.”


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Taiwan singer ignites debate by showing popular ‘vacuum belly’ technique to lose weight

Taiwanese singer Ella Chen has sparked controversy by demonstrating her “vacuum belly” technique during a concert.  Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

Ella Chen Jiahua shows the controversial movement on stage during a concert. Photo: QQ.com

An online pictorial tutorial shows interested viewers how to perform the routine: Photo: QQ.com

A personal trainer explains what the movement does to the human body using a plastic skeleton. Photo: QQ.com

Chen, above, attends a film premiere in Taipei. She shot to fame as part of a girl band. Photo: Getty Images

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Onstage protruding ribs routine provokes roars of appreciation from audience; doctors warn it could damage people’s health


Onstage protruding ribs routine provokes roars of appreciation from audience; doctors warn it could damage people’s health.


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Taiwan singer ignites debate by showing popular ‘vacuum belly’ technique to lose weight

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Onstage protruding ribs routine provokes roars of appreciation from audience; doctors warn it could damage people’s health

Onstage protruding ribs routine provokes roars of appreciation from audience; doctors warn it could damage people’s health