A Zinc Moment feature published via TMTPost traces how China's AI virtual-artist business has assembled a revenue chain: Fang Taozi, an AI-native performer, broke out with the drama "The Laid-Off Girl," which passed 200 million views on a single platform, and now carries 558,000 Douyin followers with ad quotes of 168,000 yuan for 1-20 second videos, 208,000 yuan for 21-60 seconds and 258,000 yuan for 60 seconds or more. Her first brand deal, a scripted contact-lens endorsement, was pulled days later after viewers asked how an AI performer could vouch for a "wearing experience." Mango TV launched five native AI artists on October 12 with a drama following two days later, while Yaoke Media signed two AI artists in March alongside an AIGC drama; iQIYI's claim that more than 100 actors had authorized its AI artist library was disputed by several named actors, to which iQIYI said the listing only signals willingness to discuss AI projects. The piece cites an iiMedia Research report putting China's digital-human core market at 33.92 billion yuan in 2024 and a projected 93.56 billion yuan by 2030.