Trainees attend a dance class for online celebrities in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, Oct 25, 2016. [Photo/IC]

Meanwhile, the regulator has stepped in, requiring business licenses for online broadcasting. Therefore, some large online streaming companies or model agencies have started to build their own team of online celebrities. To continue with live webcasting, the previously self-employed online celebrities have also started to sign contracts with companies with licenses.

At a "factory" for online celebrities in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, 40 girls have signed up for training. Most of them are new comers to the live streaming industry. They used to be students, designers, or models.