Yang Mi and Zhao Liying clash intensely, vying for the Best Actress award; netizens divided into two camps.

The 2026 Magnolia Awards, though not yet officially open, have already generated excitement with the dramatic race between two "top stars," Yang Mi and Zhao Liying. The direct confrontation between these two leading actresses from the 1985 generation in the Best Actress nominations is currently the focus of attention in the Chinese entertainment industry.

The "expedition" of two leading actresses of the 1985 generation.

For over a decade, Yang Mi and Zhao Liying have been fierce rivals, boasting massive fan bases and widespread influence. This year, both have delivered landmark works, showcasing their desire to transition from idol dramas to serious, action-packed dramas.

Yang Mi surprised everyone with her project, "The Birth of All Things." Breaking away from her usual glamorous image, she transformed into a hardworking rural woman, accepting to go without makeup and use dialect on screen. This work became a commercial sensation, topping the charts and achieving impressive viewership ratings on CCTV8. On the opposite side, Zhao Liying entered the race with "A Small Success, a Big Event." Following the resounding success of "The Wind Blows Through the Summer," her return was expected to further solidify her position as the "new queen of dramas," creating a tense battle that divided netizens into two opposing camps for heated debate.

When strength and reputation are weighed against each other.

Despite receiving extensive media coverage, both actresses faced unique challenges in the eyes of industry professionals. For Yang Mi, while her efforts to change her image were acknowledged, some viewers still felt her acting was lacking compared to the veteran actors in the film. Furthermore, the controversial ending of *The Birth of All Things* was considered a regrettable "minus point" for the film's potential to win awards.

As for Zhao Liying, despite her consistent acting performance, "A Small Success" didn't create the explosive impact that was expected. Viewership and discussion levels remained moderate, making her chances of winning the award more unpredictable than ever. This divergence in public opinion shows that audiences are becoming increasingly demanding; awards are no longer just about viewership numbers but are a precise measure of acting technique and content depth.

"The Battle of the Fairies" and the rise of a talented cast.

Besides the "clash" between two leading actresses born in 1985, the predicted list for the 2026 White Magnolia Awards also includes prominent figures such as Yang Zi and Dilraba Dilmurat. However, observers believe that the real race may belong to the "powerful" group with names like Sun Li, Wu Yue, and Ren Suxi.

While Wu Yue recently won big at the Fei Tian Awards, Ren Su Xi has made a strong impression with her realistic acting in well-produced political dramas. In particular, Sun Li – a former winner of the Magnolia Award – is also a formidable contender with her drama, "A Cute Life." Historically, the awards often prioritize performances with psychological depth and those linked to high-quality, artistic dramas. Therefore, despite the ongoing debate between Yang Mi and Zhao Liying on social media, the final outcome remains a mystery, full of surprises until the very last minute.

Zhao Liying is being ridiculed, increasingly losing ground to B-list stars, and is she using her child to cling to fame? JLO15:26:42 18/01/2026An article from mainland Chinese media claimed that Zhao Liying no longer holds the same dominance as before, and at times is even less popular than some rising B-list actresses. This sparked a major wave of discussion.