Why millions watched a doctor poke a Chinese star’s face

It was arguably the biggest audition of Angelababy’s life.

Outside, a swarm of autographseekers and paparazzi crowded the Beijing street, straining to catch a glimpse of the Chinese actress and supermodel.

Inside, the atmosphere was even tenser. Lots of money, maybe even Angelababy’s career, was on the line. With the cameras rolling, Angelababy took her seat and waited for directions.

That’s when the doctor began to poke her in the face.

The surreal scene wasn’t part of a Chinese soap opera or film. It was real life, although just barely. Angelababy wasn’t performing for a director, but rather for a plastic surgeon.

Angelababy, whose real name is Yeung Wing, arrived Thursday at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences with something to prove: that she had never had plastic surgery.

What ensued was a bizarre and brutally public physical examination. Angelababy underwent a battery of tests, including X- rays and even a plastic surgeon poking around the inside of her mouth.

All the while, pictures of the exam were posted on state television and Weibo, China’s wildly popular Twitter- like microblogging site.

“Angelababy’s cosmetic results announced,” ran headlines across the country.

The story behind Angelababy’s strange exam dates back to 2012, when Beijing beauty clinic Ruili claimed that she had plastic surgery.

The actress denied the report and sued the clinic for 500,000 yuan, or roughly $ 79,000 US, in compensation, according to the BBC.

For three years, the case has gone back and forth in court. This May, a judge ruled in her favour but the clinic appealed.

Finally, a Beijing judge suggested that the dispute be settled once and for all by Angelababy having her face examined by medical professionals “to certify its authenticity,” the BBC reported.

And so it was that the 26- year- old actress arrived to a Beijing plastic surgery clinic on Thursday.

According to Chinese media, a renowned plastic surgeon named Qi Zuoliang performed the exam in front of her lawyer, two notaries public and a host of reporters.

Qi’s verdict: Angelababy was naturally angelic.

The doctor’s determination bolsters Angelababy’s argument that Ruili’s article was defamatory.

Even if Angelababy wins in court, however, it might prove to be a Pyrrhic victory for Chinese actresses, models and, more broadly, women.

While the case could dissuade critics from making unproven assertions about celebrities’ appearances, it has also reinforced China’s obsession with plastic surgery.