A   A   A

Posted: Monday, 08 February 2010 10:52AM

Woman Seeks "Jessica Alba" Makeover To Win Back Lover



SHANGHAI (Reuters) - A Chinese woman is seeking extensive plastic surgery to look like U.S. actress Jessica Alba, mainly because she hopes to win back her boyfriend who she said always wished she looked more like the Hollywood star.

The 21-year-old, who would only give her name as Xiaoqing, said she was devastated after she broke up with her lover, an ardent fan of the actress who has starred in hit movies such as "Fantastic Four" and "Into the Blue."

Xiaoqing, who works at an Internet firm in Shanghai, said that during their 18-month-long relationship, her 28-year-old boyfriend had been obsessed with Alba, adorning their apartment with her photographs and talking about her constantly.

She said that while her boyfriend had not forced her to look like Alba, he always hinted that the wanted her to resemble his favorite star and even bought her a blonde wig to wear.

A month ago, Xiaoqing left her boyfriend, whom she did not name, because his Alba obsession became too much for her. But now she says she can't get over the break-up and wants him back.

"When I broke up with my boyfriend, I was very sad," she told Reuters at the Shanghai Time Plastic Surgery Hospital which has agreed to help her fulfill her wish.

"My friends... kept consoling me but it did not work, so they suggested I do plastic surgery to look like her (Jessica Alba)."

The hospital said Xiaoqing would need multiple surgeries to alter her eyes and nose so that they would resemble Alba's. They also agreed to do it for free to showcase their surgery skills.

Hospital director Jiang Shan said he had personally spoken to Xiaoqing and advised her to think seriously about the procedure.

"If she wants to look much better than she does now, for example if she wants her skin to look smoother and her overall facial facade to look more beautiful, I think we are able to help her fulfill her wishes," Jiang said.

"But if she wants to totally look like Jessica Alba, I would think she is still not confident of herself and that she needs to solve this problem psychologically."

Shortly after the break-up, Xiaoqing posted a comment on a local web forum asking for help to win her boyfriend back.

She said that despite the many bloggers who advised her against having cosmetic surgery, she was keen on it.

"As a member of the younger generation in this country, I have a choice to decide what I want in life," she said.

"I have never been able to let him go. If in the end he still does not accept me after I undergo the plastic surgeries, I will give up. I will then choose to let go, start afresh and live life by myself," she added.

Xiaoqing said she would speak to her mother, who lives in Hubei province, while visiting home during the annual lunar new year holiday before making a final decision.

The hospital said it was not unusual for young women such as Xiaoqing to undergo cosmetic surgery to look like celebrities.

The government estimates billions of yuan are spent each year by Chinese on plastic surgery, which is seen by many as a way to boost job or marriage prospects in a highly competitive society.

Story Copyright 2010, Reuters Photo Copyright 2010, Getty Images

Man Bites Police Over A Pet Peeve


Police arrested an 82-year-old man after he bit and kicked officers who had arrived to mediate in a dispute with a neighbor over a domestic pet.

German Firm Can't Fire Man For 1.8 Cent Theft


A German company that fired a man for the theft of 1.8 euro cents (two U.S. cents) worth of electricity had no grounds for firing him, a court ruled.

Vuvuzelas Banned From European Soccer Competition


Vuvuzelas have been kicked out of European competitions after UEFA said that the controversial plastic trumpets drowned out supporter.

Older People Enjoy Reading Negative Stories About Young


Older people like reading negative news stories about their younger counterparts because it boosts their own self-esteem, according to a new study.

John Lennon's Toilet Sells For $14,740 At Auction


A toilet that belonged to late Beatle John Lennon fetched $14,740 at auction on Saturday.

"We're About To Crash," Passengers Told In Error


British Airways apologized to passengers after an emergency message warning they were about to crash into the sea was played by mistake.

T-shirt Explains Philadelphia's Blunt Speech


For Mike Monteiro, a transplanted Philadelphian who now lives in California, his T-shirt says it all.

Man, Shot In Head, Notices Five Years Later


A Polish man living in Germany went about his business for about five years without noticing he had been shot in the head.

Typo Vigilantes Correct Errant Signage


If you're confused about the difference between "it's" and "its", or unsure how to spell "cemetery", you're not alone.

Vuvuzelas Make It Into The Oxford Dictionary


The ever-present hum of the vuvuzela during this year's soccer World Cup catapulted the plastic trumpet to prominence.

All That Glitters Isn't Gold, Some Of It Is Wine


Like gold, top wines are highly prized, represent wealth and are selling near their historical highs

Lennon Letter Reaches Singer 34 Years Later


A British folk singer was stunned to find Beatles legend John Lennon had written him a private letter advising him on how to handle success.

Skateboarding Priest Becomes YouTube Hit


A Hungarian Roman Catholic priest has become a YouTube hit with his distinctive method of spreading the word on wheels.

U.S. To Commemorate WWII With "Kiss-In"


Americans will gather for a group "kiss-in" in Times Square and buglers across the country will play the military funeral tune "Taps" on Saturday.

Martin Luther Has Wittenberg In A Stir 500 Years On


About 800 colorful statuettes of 16th-century Protestant reformer Martin Luther are popping up in the eastern German town of Wittenberg.
Archive