Angelababy, Yang Mi, Liu Shishi, and Ni Ni, considered potential successors to the Big Four, have been mocked by netizens for their supposedly poor acting skills.

While the four actresses are popular across China, they have not been recognized by influential film awards and festivals. That Angelababy has become the first American Vogue cover star from China has shocked many.

Some netizens say she is not a suitable actor to represent China, because compared with the others on the cover Angelababy has not achieved much in the film industry.

"She is beautiful, and indeed has an angle-like face, but she is not able to be on the cover of Vogue as an actress," one netizen says.

"I think she is a symbol of online celebrity, not an actress. China has so many excellent actresses in the industry – why she is the lucky one to be the cover lady?" another netizen asks.