The manicured illusion of China's streaming starlets
In China's live-streaming industry, the virtual girl-next-door is just a part of the show



(REUTERS/Thomas Peter)The entertainment can take different forms — like interactive gaming or online marketplaces with real-time salespeople — but at the heart of this internet phenomenon are young girls chatting casually from the comforts of their pink bedrooms to an audience of millions about life, love, and their favorite makeup and beauty products. But don't be fooled by that girl-next-door vibe. That's just a part of the show.








A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kelly Gonsalves is a sex and culture writer exploring love, lust, identity, and feminism. Her work has appeared at Bustle, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, and more, and she previously worked as an associate editor for The Week. She's obsessed with badass ladies doing badass things, wellness movements, and very bad rom-coms.
-
September 16 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Tuesday's political cartoons include bad news for inflation, Brian Kilmeade's solution, and Kash Patel's dinner order
-
Fit for a king: must-visit palaces around the UK
The Week Recommends Our pick of the nation’s most magnificent residences for nobles and royals
-
Is Andy Burnham making a bid to replace Keir Starmer?
Today's Big Question Mayor of Manchester on manoeuvres but faces a number of obstacles before he can even run