Chinese actress Yang Mi apologises after photo promoting controversial Z-shape ‘cartoon waist’ labelled sexist and unrealistic
- Many said the trend was unfair to normal people by fetishising unrealistic beauty ideals
- One orthopedist said online that such poses were dangerous and could cause serious injury
A mainland Chinese actress has apologised for releasing a photo in which she presented a controversial pose designed to show-off her slender waist and body shape.
The Z-shape, or “cartoon waist”, has been in fashion for weeks on social media in China, with women putting their legs flat on a chair while lying their upper body on the ground to show off a supposedly ideal slender figure.
The pose is in imitation of a cartoon picture of an unrealistic body shape created by an unknown Anhui-based designer that has widely been shared online.
Yang Mi, a popular actress in China, claimed she was “curious” and took up the challenge of replicating this “difficult stretching movement”, she said on Weibo.
She shared her photo online on Sunday along with Chinese words: “it’s a bit difficult”.
The post received praise for her slimness and body flexibility, along with plenty of criticism.