Taiwanese singer and actor Vanness Wu inadvertently triggered widespread concern among fans this week after a poorly lit mirror selfie circulated on social media, prompting unsubstantiated claims of significant weight loss and health deterioration. The photo, which rapidly spread across Weibo, showed the 47-year-old former F4 star with noticeably hollowed cheeks and a much thinner appearance, leading to speculation about his well-being just ahead of planned reunion concerts.
The image immediately alarmed followers, with many expressing concern over the perceived physical changes. Comments flooded the platform questioning if Wu was facing personal troubles, with some netizens remarking he looked “skeletal” and prematurely aged by the apparent weight drop. The circulating posts specifically alleged that the celebrity had shed 20 kilograms, based solely on the visual impact of the photograph.
However, a segment of the audience hypothesized that the drastic change might be intentional, perhaps in preparation for the upcoming F4 reunion performances. The popular boyband, comprising Wu, Jerry Yan, and Vic Chou, recently announced the F☆FOREVER City of Stars World Tour, scheduled to commence in Shanghai from December 19-22. (Notably, fellow F4 member Ken Chu is absent from the current tour lineup.) This speculation added to the intense focus on Wu’s physique.
The actor quickly moved to quash the mounting anxiety and misinformation. Addressing the situation directly, Wu posted a new video to his social media channels, showcasing his face from various angles to provide a realistic depiction of his current appearance.
“Am I really that skinny?!” he questioned in the caption, alongside the video footage. He then dismissed the initial photograph’s deceptive quality, attributing the dramatic look to poor self-portrait technique. “Selfie skills are really important, and obviously I’m not good at them,” he wrote, laughing off the incident.
The visual evidence from the video and Wu’s explanation confirmed that the extreme look was a direct result of unflattering lighting and an ill-chosen camera angle, rather than actual rapid weight loss. The episode underscored the potential for basic photographic errors to be misinterpreted, particularly when viewed through the critical lens of celebrity scrutiny.
Fans reacted positively to the candid clarification, appreciating his rapid response to the online hysteria. One netizen humorously advised, “Very handsome, but please don’t take extreme-angle selfies again.” This incident serves as a clear reminder of the crucial difference between professional, controlled photography and casual mobile snapshots, demonstrating why public figures often rely on expert visual content to manage their image and maintain accurate public perception.