The Chinese Livestreamer Who May Not Exist

The New York Post published a story about an unnamed Chinese livestreamer whose beauty filter allegedly failed during a broadcast, revealing her “real” face.

According to the report, she lost 140,000 followers.

The article contains elements designed to assure the reader it is not fiction. There are photographs. There is a precise number — 140,000. There is a reference to a 2019 case involving a streamer known as “Your Highness Qiao Biluo,” whose filter malfunction was documented.

It may be true or maybe not, but she sure doesn't look Chinese.

It may be true or maybe not, but she sure doesn’t look Chinese.

The “before” image — the supposed glitch — shows a woman with a warm complexion and an expressive face. The filtered version presents a pale, symmetrical mask.

Here is the after version, and not unlike a porcelain doll.

It is an excellent story. It touches on artificial beauty standards, digital deception, and the cruelty of online audiences. It invites outrage and sympathy.

Try to find the woman. Search Chinese social media, Threads, TikTok, X. There is no name. No identifiable account. No platform. No record of 140,000 followers departing from anywhere.

The article states: “Allegedly lost thousands of followers.” “Per social media posts going viral.” “Has yet to be independently verified.” “Social media reports claim.” “It’s yet unclear whether the woman’s facial fiasco is real.”

Every assertion is attributed to anonymous posts. The closest to a source is a quotation from “one fan.”

Was any attempt at verification made? Was the streamer contacted? Was her platform identified? Was the loss of 140,000 followers confirmed? The story is prominent in the news.

Is this how unverified content passes into news?

Readers may experience a momentary indignation, amusement, pity and perhaps share the link. Few attempt to locate the unnamed subject. It is unlikely they could for there is no way to find her.

In an earlier age, the editor’s function was to act as a filter between rumor and news publication.

The story is shaped to pretend it is news but geared entirely for circulation.

A beauty filter that glitches may be amusing. An editorial filter that fails, as in this story, may also be amusing and perhaps a lot more common  than a streamer’s beauty filter fail.