Li's public relations people were quick to pounce on the emerging viral story, with manager Steven Chasman telling USA Today that his client was — despite the concerns of seemingly every movie fan on Earth — "completely fine."
Though Li's manager assured readers that Li and his team appreciated the international outpouring of concern, he also made it clear that the rumors of Li's declining health were greatly exaggerated — not to mention a snap judgment, based on one photo of questionable composition.
"It's one picture and people are making these interpretations from it," Chasman said. "If you took a picture [of] me at the wrong angle and wrong time of the day, I could look frail as well."
As the photo gained traction with news outlets around the world, social media commentators pointed out that much of Li's appearance could come down to issues of lighting, posture, and other external factors not indicative of failing health.
They're theories that appear to have merit. Late last year, Li shared a video on Instagram wishing his followers a Happy New Year. While his appearance in the video is similar to his look in the viral photo, he appears considerably healthier — older, but not in trouble.
