Subheading: The 41-year-old singer opens up about a fatty liver diagnosis, severe sleep deprivation, and the lifestyle overhaul needed to protect his health.
Lede
For Zhang Yuchen, the runner-up of the hit talent show Midlife Voice Season 3, skyrocketing fame has come at a steep physical cost. Hospitalized earlier this year with a general illness, the 41-year-old singer has now received a more specific alarm call: a diagnosis of abnormal liver function and fatty liver disease. Following a recent check-up, Zhang has gone public with his health struggles, revealing the dramatic changes he made to pull his body back from the brink.
The Toll of Success
Zhang, who describes himself as a workaholic, has watched his workload and social media following explode since the show ended. But the grueling schedule has taken a direct hit on his health. Speaking during a commercial shoot in Hong Kong, he admitted his body is no longer able to keep pace with his ambitions.
Central to his decline is a lifelong battle with chronic insomnia. “Lack of rest directly impacts a singer’s voice,” Zhang explained. “People ask if the show’s pressure made it worse, but the truth is it couldn’t get much worse. The worst I experienced was going without sleep for 52 hours.” He directly linked the condition to his liver issues, stating simply, “Not sleeping enough is very damaging to the liver.”
Recognizing a ‘Hidden Killer’
Before the diagnosis, Zhang ignored classic warning signs. He suffered from extreme fatigue, a yellow pallor in his skin and eyes, and a persistently bitter taste in his mouth. Like many high achievers, he believed his resilience could override biology. “I used to think that as long as I was young, I could tough it out,” he admitted. “Staying up late felt like no big deal.”
That assumption crumbled when medical tests confirmed the presence of a fatty liver. Echoing expert medical warnings, Zhang called the condition a “hidden killer.” He noted the specific danger of neglect: “If your liver index is too high and you keep ignoring it, a fatty liver can harden into cirrhosis. That is a huge problem.”
A Health U-Turn
The scare forced Zhang to confront the fragility of his foundation. “The body is everything for a performer,” he said. “The audience can feel it immediately if an artist is not in good shape.” He has since adopted a strict regimen of healthy eating, prioritizing early nights, and using nutritional supplements. The payoff has been tangible. His latest medical report showed that all his health indexes have returned to normal. “Everything looks great now,” he confirmed.
Zhang’s mother remains his most vigilant supporter. She constantly urges him to rest, stay hydrated, and avoid his favorite guilty pleasure—fried chicken. “Every time I go back to Malaysia, she has nourishing soups and traditional supplements waiting for me,” he said.
Broader Implications
Zhang’s story underscores a critical reality for the entertainment industry: success must be sustained, not just achieved. His candor about an often-invisible organ issue offers a valuable public service message about the dangers of burnout.
Despite the stark warnings, his spirit remains competitive. When asked about his upcoming birthday wish during the shoot, he kept his eyes firmly on the prize. “I hope the work keeps coming. I want to tour in different cities,” he said. “But the ultimate goal, the perfect stage, would be to perform at the Hong Kong Coliseum.”
