This yr appears to be a peak yr to see China’s leisure stars falling from the sky. After varied superstar scandals occurred earlier in 2021, a serious ‘leisure circles earthquake’ took place in late August.
Well-known actresses Zhao Wei (赵薇) and Zheng Shuang (郑爽), together with Chinese language music producer and TV host Gao Xiaosong (高晓松), noticed their names and work wiped from varied on-line channels. On-line fan teams and ‘tremendous matters’ devoted to those celebrities, in addition to others, had been taken offline.
China’s leisure circles haven’t seen so many scandals and investigations since 2014, when there have been so many Chinese language celebrities in prison that netizens spoofed the well-known 1987 motion film Jail on Fireplace (监狱风云) and jokingly made it function imprisoned stars with the primary lead for actor Huang Haibo (黄海波).
A 2014 meme that includes Chinese language celebrities in jail.
The latest blow to Chinese language leisure tradition is partly associated to a bigger “clear up” marketing campaign (清朗专项行动) concentrating on celebrities and on-line fan communities.
Many Chinese language celebrities from the leisure trade had been ‘canceled’ over the previous years over their unlawful conduct and actions. However not all superstar scandals are associated to top-down measures; typically there are these whose status turns into irreversibly broken over dishonest, intercourse scandals, inappropriate (leaked) on-line messages, or by them getting caught up in controversial and delicate historic or political points.
Generally the ‘trial’ is by the general public, different occasions it’s by authorities, nevertheless it all the time finally ends up being a trial by media.
Now we have compiled a high 25 listing of Chinese language celebrities within the present enterprise who suffered a public fall from grace with updates on the place they’re now, maybe giving an thought of what the longer term may seem like for these Chinese language stars who’ve just lately been ‘blacklisted.’
This listing solely contains these celebrities whose scandals performed out on-line within the age of social media. It’s a high 25 of ‘tainted celebrities’ inside mainland China’s leisure trade, listed in chronological order of when their status suffered a blow.
#1 Edison Chen 陈冠希
Edison Chen is a Canadian-born Hong Kong actor, singer, and entrepreneur whose 2008 intercourse picture scandal (“艳照门”) shook Chinese language leisure circles. Though this scandal principally pertains to the Hong Kong leisure trade, we’ve nonetheless added it to this listing since it’s also extensively identified in mainland China.
The scandal erupted when intimate and personal pictures began circulating on the web, exhibiting the actor with varied ladies, together with actresses Gillian Chung, Bobo Chan, Rachel Ngan, and Cecilia Cheung. The pictures had been, amongst others, disseminated on the Chinese language web discussion board Tianya, the place they acquired over twenty million views.
The pictures had been stolen from Chen’s pc and illegally uploaded on-line. Over eight individuals had been arrested in relation to this case (see wiki page here). In February of 2008, Chen introduced that he would step away from the Hong Kong leisure trade.
The place is he now?
By now, Edison Chen has turn out to be a household man. In 2017, he married Chinese language supermodel Qin Shupei and so they have a child collectively.
Chen is a model ambassador for Ralph Lauren, and collectively along with his household he additionally participated within the model’s “Household is who you like” marketing campaign.
Chen has been profitable in enterprise – he’s the founding father of the streetwear label CLOT. He additionally has a big following on Weibo of over 29,5 million followers (@edc陳冠希).
However, the actor can’t appear to shake off scandal. In June of 2021, he was caught in scandal again when older posts of a Chinese language girl surfaced on Weibo through which she accused the actor of making an attempt to seduce her twice between November 2016 and January 2017.
#2 Man Wenjun 满文军
The medication scandal involving well-known pop star Man Wenjun (满文军, 1969) turned main information in China in Could of 2009 when the superstar was busted with heroin throughout a raid within the Beijing Coco Banana nightclub, the place he was celebrating his spouse’s fortieth birthday in a VIP room.
Ma is most well-known for songs similar to I Perceive You (懂你) and Eager for My Hometown (望乡). He was additionally one of many singers who sang the theme tune Beijing Welcomes You (北京欢迎你) for the 2008 Olympics.
The singer and his spouse had been detained, together with greater than ten different individuals who all examined optimistic for drug use. On the time, China.org reported that an unnamed drug seller advised media that the superstar couple had been frequent drug customers and acquired 2.5 grams of heroin from him.
Man ultimately solely served twenty days in jail. His spouse, nevertheless, bought a for much longer sentence. Li Li (李俐) – Man’s second spouse after a earlier divorce – later confessed to giving ecstasy tablets to 2 people who night. She acquired a one-year jail sentence and a 2,000 yuan penalty.
The singer was criticized for testifying in opposition to his personal spouse. When she heard her husband’s testimony in opposition to her (alleging that she was the one doing medication), she allegedly referred to as her husband ‘inhumane.’
The incident sparked on-line dialogue in regards to the ethical requirements of celebrities, and China.org revealed an inventory of celebrities who beforehand additionally bought caught up in drug-related scandals.
Man’s arrest would simply be the start of an excellent longer listing of celebrities getting caught with medication within the years after.
The place is he now?
Unsurprisingly, Man Wenjun and Li Li at the moment are divorced.
The medication scandal meant a serious blow to Man’s status, and regardless of nonetheless releasing new music and occasional performances, he would by no means once more regain the success he as soon as had. It’s rumored that Man now runs his personal music coaching establishment, the place he’s a music instructor.
#3 Li Daimo 李代沫
Li Daimo (李代沫, 1988), is a Chinese language singer who rose to fame in 2012 through the first season of The Voice of China (中国好声音).
In July 2013, Li got here out as being homosexual. Many netizens applauded Li for popping out, and he gained overwhelming assist from followers and followers.
In March of 2014, nevertheless, Li’s status suffered when he was arrested by Beijing police because of drug possession. Li was discovered responsible and was sentenced to a effective and 9 months in jail.
The place is he now?
After spending seven months behind bars, Li was released from jail in December of 2014. His early launch was due to good conduct.
After being launched from jail, Li resumed his music profession. In 2015, he launched a single titled “Thank You” (谢谢你). Li continues to be energetic on Weibo (@李代沫Demon), the place he has over one million followers.
Though Li’s tainted previous continues to be typically talked about on Weibo, he is among the few artists who appears to have made some form of a comeback to the leisure trade after such a serious controversy, though he’ll in all probability by no means return to the success he as soon as had. Throughout some stay streams Li has accomplished, the singer is commonly scolded by netizens.
#4 Huang Haibo 黄海波
Huang Haibo (黄海波, 1976) is a famend award-winning Chinese language actor who suffered a public fall from grace in 2014 when he was caught soliciting a prostitute in a Beijing resort. The then-39-year-old was beforehand often called China’s nationwide “son-in-law” for occasionally taking part in the good man and supreme husband in Chinese language productions.
In Could of 2014, Beijing Municipal Public Safety Bureau introduced that Huang was arrested on suspicion of hiring prostitutes, after which he was sentenced to fifteen days in jail, adopted by a six months sentence of “custody and reeducation.”
After the scandal made headlines, Huang was now not supplied new roles and his TV and movie profession in mainland China got here to an abrupt finish.
Though Huang positively was shut out from the leisure trade because of this affair, he was not essentially ‘canceled’ by the general public. Many individuals sided with him since they felt he was trapped and even purposely framed – somebody should have tipped off the police to ensure that them to catch him within the act on the Beijing resort.
The place is he now?
In 2015, only a yr after the scandal made headlines, Huang introduced he and his associate had been anticipating a child. The actor has since moved to the USA.
His associate is Chinese language actress Qu Shanshan (曲栅栅), who continues to be working.
Huang nonetheless has over six million followers on his Weibo account. He has not appeared in any Chinese language productions since his scandal.
#5 Zhang Mo 张默
Zhang Mo (张默, 1982) was a well-known actor in Chinese language TV dramas and movies who is very well-known for his main position in Let the Bullets Fly. He’s additionally the son of well-known actor and producer Zhang Guoli (张国立).
In July of 2014, the actor was arrested in Beijing for unlawful drug use. He was sentenced to 6 months in jail and was fined 5,000 yuan ($800) for drug use and offering others with a venue for drug use. The scandal went viral on Chinese language social media, with many feeling sorry for father Zhang Guoli having to take care of such a troubled son.
It was not the primary time for the actor to be caught up in controversy, and he turned often called a insurgent. He was concerned in one other drug-related incident in 2012. Years earlier than, his ex-girlfriend Tong Yao accused Zhang Mo of assaulting her.
The place is he now?
Since his previous controversies, Zhang Mo has moved on to work behind the screens. Zhang was photographed on a set collectively along with his father Zhang Guoli in March of 2021.
It’s reported that in addition to working behind the scenes (he allegedly is a senior government), Zhang Mo can be a serious shareholder of at the least two movie and tv corporations.
#6 Kai Ko / Ke Zhendong 柯震东
Though the actor and singer Ko Chentung (柯震东 Ke Zhendong, 1991) – also called ‘Kai Ko’ – is from Taiwan, he was additionally very fashionable in mainland China, which can be the place his career-changing scandal occurred.
The actor and singer was arrested for possession of medicine in Beijing on August 14 of 2014 along with Jaycee Chan, who can be on this listing. Shortly after his arrest, Kai Ko’s supervisor confirmed the actor could be launched on August twenty eighth after a detainment of 14 days. He additionally acknowledged that Kai Ko felt “very ashamed” of himself.
Though the actor was denounced on social media, there have been additionally many followers who confirmed their assist and even some who vowed to use drugs in assist of Ko if he would disappear from the leisure trade.
The arrest of Ko Chentung over medication abuse was particularly controversial as a result of Ko beforehand appeared in an anti-drug commercial in 2012, through which he clearly acknowledged: “I don’t do medication!”
The place is he now?
After his detainment, Ko delivered a tearful apology on state broadcaster CCTV earlier than returning to Taiwan. The actor was minimize from two films and model partnerships and upcoming present engagements had been all canceled.
Though Ko has barely accomplished any giant initiatives as an actor or singer over the previous eight years, he returned to the large display screen in 2021 within the movie Moneyboys.
#7 Fang Zuming (Jaycee Chan) 房祖名
Actor and singer Jaycee Chan (房祖名, 1982), the son of the tremendous well-known Jackie Chan, was amongst a number of individuals who had been arrested throughout an August 2014 drug bust at his condo in Beijing.
Investigators discovered 100 grams of marijuana in his residence, and the actor additionally examined optimistic for marijuana use. He was sentenced to 6 months in jail for the possession and distribution of marijuana, and for accommodating drug customers at his residence.
Earlier than his arrest, Jaycee labored on the movie Monk Comes Down the Mountain (道士下山), however his position was not credited as a result of medication scandal. He was additionally dropped by the model he beforehand labored with, together with Adidas, Nivea, KFC, and Chevrolet.
Jaycee’s drug use and jail sentence had been already unhealthy sufficient, however what made issues worse is that his father Jackie was beforehand appointed as goodwill Ambassador for the China Nationwide Anti-Drug Committee.
The place is he now?
Though Jaycee hinted at a comeback to China’s leisure trade in a public speech he gave after his launch from jail, he has by no means been capable of get again the success he had earlier than his arrest. He’s now principally working behind the scenes, and has additionally turn out to be a producer.
With a dad like Jackie Chan, Jaycee hardly has to fret about his monetary scenario although. Earlier this yr, the fallen superstar was noticed smoking cigars and driving a Mercedes Benz automotive.
Though he has a Weibo account with 7,4 million followers, Jaycee’s account web page is empty.
#8 Yin Xiangjie 尹相杰
Yin Xiangjie (尹相杰, 1969) is a Chinese language singer, host, and actor, who rose to fame after his efficiency on the Beijing TV Lantern Pageant in 1994. He turned very fashionable afterward and was an everyday visitor on the Spring Pageant Gala.
In December of 2015, the singer was arrested at his residence for possessing and consuming unlawful medication. Authorities discovered over 10 grams of medicine at his residence, together with crystal methamphetamine. Yin Xiangjie was sentenced to seven months in jail.
With China having a zero-tolerance perspective to medication, any drug-related scandal would already be a serious blow to the status of Chinese language celebrities. Within the case of Yin, the scandal had an ever deeper impact as a result of the singer was beforehand appointed as an envoy in an anti-drug marketing campaign of 2007.
The place is he now?
Yin’s first arrest, sadly, was not his final. The singer was arrested once more in November of 2015, additionally in relation to medication, simply shortly after he was launched from jail.
Based on the newest reviews, Yun nonetheless seems in some obscure ads so as to generate an revenue. However Yin’s as soon as so profitable profession in China’s leisure trade appears to be positively over.
#9 Le Jia (Tim Le) 乐嘉
Le Jia (乐嘉, 1975) is a Chinese language psychology skilled and a broadcast creator, who turned a well-known TV host and entertainer in mainland China, particularly after he began taking part within the in style TV courting present If You Are The One (非诚勿扰) in 2010.
Le Jia is the founding father of the 4-colors Persona Evaluation (FPA) and the China Persona Colours Analysis Heart, labeling himself as the primary individual in China to make use of colours to determine persona sorts – a subject about which he revealed a number of best-selling books.
Le’s 2015 participation within the TV present Tremendous Speaker (超级演说家) triggered controversy when Le drank baijiu (liquor) through the recording on stage after which bought wildly drunk, inflicting him to behave improperly and scold the opposite hosts on the present (videos of the show are nonetheless lingering on-line). Company of the present left the stage, and the recording was halted.
The incident was a serious blow to Le Jia’s status and his TV profession got here to an abrupt cease.
The place is he now?
As a result of Le Jia profession didn’t absolutely revolve round China’s leisure enterprise, the controversy didn’t essentially finish his skilled profession; it was simply the tip of a interval through which he turned a very fashionable TV host.
As a psychology skilled, Le continues to be promoting books and giving trainings. The 46-year-old can be nonetheless concerned within the Persona Colours Analysis Heart.
Le Jia can be energetic on Weibo, the place he has a following of 43 million (!) followers (@乐嘉).
#10 Fu Yiwei 傅艺伟
Fu Yiwei (傅艺伟, 1964) is an award-winning Chinese language actress identified for, amongst others, her position as Su Daiji within the TV sequence The Investiture of the Gods (封神榜). She was married (and divorced) two occasions, and has a son.
Fu made headlines in February of 2016 when Beijing police reported the actress was arrested for utilizing medication and permitting two others to make use of medication in her condo in Liangmahe, Beijing.
It was beforehand already rumored the actress was utilizing medication because of her conduct and facial features when she appeared in discuss reveals years earlier than.
The actress was sentenced to jail was launched in April of 2016, after which she issued a public apology on Weibo.
The place is she now?
Fu has not gone again to the leisure trade as a serious actress after her medication scandal. Based on 2021 reports, Fu Yiwei lives in an opulent home situated within the middle of Beijing.
She continues to be energetic on Weibo (@演员傅艺伟), the place she sometimes posts an replace.
#11 Ma Rong 马蓉
The marriage crisis between Chinese language movie star Wang Baoqiang (王宝强) and Chinese language actress Ma Rong (马蓉) turned the primary trending matter on Weibo on August 14 in 2016 when Wang revealed a message on his official Weibo account that he was divorcing his spouse Ma Rong and firing his agent Track Zhe (宋喆), accusing the 2 of getting secret affair.
Wang Baoqiang vs Ma Rong turned the divorce of the decade, primarily as a result of the story unfolded itself on Weibo. On-line debates had been fuelled by the general public posts and feedback revealed on-line by each Wang Baoqiang and Ma Rong.
Ma Rong turned the primary goal of on-line vitriol, as nearly all of Weibo’s netizens sided with the favored actor Wang Baoqiang, saying that Ma Rong was a cheater who solely married Wang for his cash.
In December of 2018, Ma Rong accused her ex-husband of attacking her, and dramatic pictures of a seemingly injured Ma Rong quickly unfold on social media. Ma Rong spoke to reporters whereas mendacity in her (hospital) mattress, tearfully talking about Wang abusing her. In a while, nevertheless, safety footage from surveillance cameras at Wang’s home leaked on-line and confirmed the way it was Ma who got here to Wang’s home, carrying scissors together with her to intimidate Wang’s household. The actress was then accused of staging your complete incident.
Within the midst of all controversy, Ma Rong turned one in all China’s “most-hated” celebrities.
The place is she now?
Ma Rong continues to be typically being scolded on Chinese language social media, and her title will in all probability be tarnished for a very long time. However, the actress is sometimes nonetheless posting on her Weibo account and Xiaohongshu, and each time she is noticed out in public, she appears well-dressed and all the time wears costly clothes and jewellery.
#12 Li Xiaolu 李小璐
Li Xiaolu (李小璐, 1982), also called Jacqueline Li, is a Chinese language actress and singer who was as soon as the youngest actress to win the Golden Horse Award for Finest Main Actress in Xiu Xiu: The Despatched Down Woman (天浴). In 2012, Li married the well-known Chinese language actor Jia Nailiang (贾乃亮), with whom she had a child shortly after.
In late 2017, Li bought into an enormous scandal when she was photographed spending the night time on the residence of The Rap of China rapper PG One. Since Li was nonetheless married on the time, social media blew up over this ‘dishonest gate’ (出轨门), particularly as a result of Jia Nailiang was requested on live-stream the place his spouse was and he allegedly replied: “Getting her hair accomplished!”
In October of 2019, older movies leaked on-line that confirmed Li and PG One kissing and behaving like a pair. A month later, Jia and Li introduced they had been getting divorced.
The extramarital affair meant a serious blow to Li’s status as she was now being ‘canceled’ by the general public and labeled as a “unhealthy file performer” (劣迹艺人).
The place is she now?
Li Xiaolu nonetheless has her Weibo account with over 44 million followers. She typically posts content material associated to her 8-year-old daughter, and he or she additionally does sponsored content material and livestreams.
Though Li nonetheless has her followers and might be doing effectively with promoting merchandise on-line, her title nonetheless typically comes up in a destructive manner, and controversy appears to observe her to today – many netizens assume the actress is unethical for her previous affair and for the way in which she attire and raises her daughter.
#13 Chen Yufan 陈羽凡
Chen Yufan (陈羽凡, 1975) is a Chinese language actor and singer-songwriter and half of the favored pop duo Yu Quan (羽泉). In 2018, Chen turned a ‘tainted superstar’ when Beijing authorities introduced on Weibo that the artist had been arrested for drug possession after they’d acquired suggestions from the general public.
As reported by SupChina on the time, the singer at residence joined by one other individual when the police caught him with 7.96 grams of crystal meth and a couple of.14 grams of marijuana. Each Chen and the 25-year-old feminine he was with examined optimistic for unlawful medication.
Chen was detained, labeled a “drug addict,” and was ordered to pay common visits to an area rehab middle for 3 years.
Later, Chen’s musical associate and pal of twenty years, Hu Haiquan (胡海泉) posted on Weibo that he was damage by Chen’s actions, which additionally affected their followers. Their upcoming live performance was canceled and the duo band, which was established in 1998, was dissolved.
The place is he now?
Though Chen nonetheless has his Weibo account, he barely makes use of it. The singer has withdrawn from the general public eye.
Chen divorced his ex-wife Bai Baihe (白百何) in 2015, however the two are nonetheless noticed collectively since they’ve a baby collectively. Chen now has a brand new girlfriend, the a lot youthful He Shizhen (何时珍). Previous to his medication scandal, Chen’s love life was additionally a trending matter on Chinese language social media, as Chen and Bai solely disclosed their divorce in 2017 after rumors of dishonest surfaced on-line.
Each time Chen is seen in public someplace, netizens touch upon his look; Chen appears to have gained weight and infrequently appears a bit sloppy.
Chen is a shareholder in varied corporations and is now working behind the scenes within the music trade. Based on the newest articles, Chen has additionally opened his personal recording studio.
#14 Fan Bingbing 范冰冰
Fan Bingbing, some of the famend and highest-paid actresses in China, discovered herself on the middle of a social media storm in late Could of 2018.
The actress allegedly acquired a complete fee of 60 million yuan ($9.3 million) for simply 4 days of labor on the movie Cell Cellphone 2, of which she supposedly solely declared 10 million ($1.56 million) to authorities.
The tax scandal first got here to gentle when Chinese language TV host Cui Yongyuan (崔永元) leaked two completely different contracts on social media; the one which allegedly confirmed that the actress was paid a complete of 10 million RMB for her work, with one other exhibiting fee of fifty million RMB for the very same work. Most of these contracts are referred to as yin-yang contracts (阴阳合同), an unlawful observe to keep away from paying taxes.
What adopted after the scandal was months of silence and rumors. The actress was final seen in public on July 1st, and social media rumors alleged the actress might need left the nation and that she was banned from performing for 3 years. At one level it was even rumored that the actress had been arrested.
The place is she now?
In October of 2018, Chinese language state media reported that Fan Bingbing had been ordered to pay taxes and fines price lots of of hundreds of thousands of yuan over tax evasion and that the actress wouldn’t be held criminally liable if she would pay the penalty in time.
That very same day, Fan got here out with a public apology. Her Weibo account stayed up.
The actress launched her personal magnificence model, Fan Magnificence Secret (Weibo), in 2019. She has not fully received again the favor of Chinese language netizens, who just lately slammed her for posting “staged” pictures of herself ‘working’ on her magnificence product formulation in a lab.
Regardless of all controversy, Fan has accomplished remarkably effectively in staying within the highlight, not like most others on this listing. She nonetheless has over 64 million followers on her Weibo account and he or she is energetic as a model ambassador for varied corporations, together with the Be Robust system (花冠贝智康) and the Swedish Daniel Wellington.
#15 Wu Xiubo 吴秀波
Beijing-born actor and musician Wu Xiubo (吴秀波, 1968) is legendary for his position in lots of TV dramas and films, together with the tv sequence Earlier than the Daybreak and the hit movie Discovering Mr. Proper (北京遇上西雅图). His status suffered a critical blow when the actor, who has been married since 2002 and is the daddy of two youngsters, was rumored to have been concerned in varied extra-marital affairs.
The scandal began in September 2018, when Chinese language actress Chen Yulin (陈昱霖), also called Ruby Chen, posted the historical past of her alleged seven-year relationship with the married actor on social media. She described the connection as being one the place Wu was very controlling of her. She additionally alleged that she acquired messages from different ladies, in 2013 and in 2017, who had been additionally sexually concerned with Wu.
In January of 2019, Chen’s dad and mom revealed an announcement on social media through which they claimed their daughter was requested to disclaim the allegations she had made in opposition to Wu in return for cash. After Wu’s authorized crew and Chen had made an association, Chen returned to mainland China to settle the matter. The second she landed at Beijing airport in November of 2018, she was arrested by native Beijing police for blackmailing Wu.
Chen, who was detained since November of 2018, was ultimately sentenced to a few years in jail and he or she was launched in 2021.
Though Chen was discovered responsible, Wu Xiubo’s status was ruined. Many individuals felt that how he handled Chen was improper and that he was evil for having extramarital affairs within the first place.
Following the controversies, Wu Xiubo was blocked by main Chinese language tv stations and among the applications he appeared in had been now not aired. Wu would initially host the 2019 Spring Gala, however his position was canceled. The romantic drama movie Somebody Like It Sizzling 2., that was scheduled to launch in 2019, was additionally canceled and plenty of selection reveals that featured Wu had been taken down or reshot.
The place is he now?
Because the scandal made headlines, Wu not often makes public appearances. In late 2019, Wu did put up a video message to assist arts college students making ready for the nationwide faculty entrance examination. Based on Global Times, many didn’t respect his momentary ‘comeback,’ with some bloggers calling him ‘pathetic.’
He’s nonetheless on Weibo (@吴秀波), the place he has 8,5 million followers, however he barely posts updates. On a ‘tremendous matter’ fan web page that’s devoted to the actor, followers nonetheless put up pictures of him every single day.
There are ongoing rumors in regards to the monetary difficulties the actor is dealing with. In 2020, he bought his mansion in San Marino, California, at a loss. The actor is a shareholder in a number of corporations and he’s nonetheless married to his spouse. A comeback to China’s leisure trade appears unlikely for now.
#16 Zhai Tianlin 翟天临
Zhai Tianlin (翟天临, 1987)- also called Ronald Zhai – is a widely known actor in China for his work in varied movies and TV dramas. He starred in, amongst others, the acclaimed sequence White Deer Plain (白鹿原).
In 2019, the actor bought caught up in controversy over alleged educational misconduct. The actor had been admitted to the Beijing Movie Academy in 2014 as a doctoral candidate in Movie Science and acquired his PhD in June 2018. In 2019, the actor shared his pleasure over being accepted into Peking College for postdoctoral analysis.
Zhai’s new journey, nevertheless, led to on-line investigations into his earlier educational works. As reported by BBC on the time, the South China Morning Publish noticed discrepancies in Zhai’s submissions and widespread doubts over Zhai’s educational achievements started to flow into on-line.
Certainly one of Zhai’s essays didn’t include any citations, and one other confirmed many similarities with an article beforehand revealed in 2006. Some netizens started comparing the essays and located that 40% of Zhai’s essay was copied.
Doubts about Zhai’s educational efficiency had been already raised when, throughout a stay video session, Zhai confirmed ignorance of the CNKI (China Nationwide Data Infrastructure), a digital library that almost all students are often utilizing, or at the least are conscious of.
In gentle of the web controversy, Beijing Movie Academy arrange an investigation course of, which ultimately led to Zhai’s PhD being revoked in February of 2019 because of plagiarism. The incident meant the tip of Zhai’s educational profession and tarnished his status.
The place is he now?
Zhai has not made headlines since his educational plagiarism controversy, which additionally ended his flourishing profession within the leisure trade. He nonetheless has over 10 million followers on his Weibo account (@翟天临), however hasn’t participated in any main works because the incident.
Based on some reports from 2021, Zhai has began his personal performing coaching courses, suggesting his future profession will primarily happen behind the scenes.
#17 Zhao Lixin 赵立新
The 2019 case of Zhao Lixin (赵立新, 1968) might be essentially the most related in context to that of Zhang Zhehan, who bought caught up in controversy in August of 2021 and can be on this listing.
The Weibo account of Zhao Lixin was closed after the Chinese language-Swedish actor made controversial feedback on the Second Sino-Japanese Warfare. Zhao Lixin was primarily identified for his roles in TV dramas similar to The Legend of Mi Yue, Memoirs In China, and Within the Silence.
On April 2nd of 2019, the actor, who had greater than 7 million followers, posted a message on his social media account that questioned why the Japanese army didn’t pillage and destroy the Beijing Palace Museum through the Second Sino-Japanese Warfare:
“The Japanese occupied Beijing for eight years. Why didn’t they steal relics from the Palace Museum and burn it down [during that time]? Is that this in step with the character of an invader?”
The actor additionally commented on the Nanjing Bloodbath of 1937, suggesting that it was a consequence of Chinese language resistance to the Japanese invasion.
His feedback triggered a social media storm with individuals accusing the actor of defending the Japanese. A prolonged apology by Zhao didn’t assist. Moreover being blocked from Weibo, he was additionally criticized and boycotted by state media and his most up-to-date TV manufacturing was canceled.
The place is he now?
It has been over two years since Zhao was principally banned and misplaced the chance to do films and TV dramas. Though it was initially rumored that the actor had been deported (he has Swedish nationality), he truly saved a low profile and made new plans.
The actor truly performs at a ‘stay theater bar’ in Beijing, the place individuals can have drinks and meals whereas having fun with drama performances by skilled actors. Based on the newest opinions, the bar is all the time absolutely booked and there are raving opinions.
Different sources claim the artist additionally provides theater workshops for aspiring actors. The workshops, that aren’t low cost, are apparently a hit.
Though Zhao has not returned to Weibo, there’s a ‘tremendous matter’ fan club devoted to him on the platform.
#18 Tong Zhuo 仝卓
Tong Zhuo (仝卓, 1994) is a Chinese language singer, actor, and TV host from Shanxi who turned a trending matter in June of 2020 when it was found he had dedicated fraud through the gaokao, the nationwide faculty entrance examination.
The scandal first broke when Tong was chatting with followers throughout a live stream. Whereas guffawing, he admitted that he had solid his identification for the gaokao: “We used lots of so-called guanxi (connections) after which I turned a contemporary highschool graduate,” stated Tong, 26, laughing with one hand over his mouth.
Tong Zhuo stated he had initially failed his faculty entrance examination in 2012. So as to have the ability to get right into a high artwork faculty that solely accepts latest highschool graduates, he modified his private info when he participated within the gaokao the following yr in 2013 and faked being a contemporary graduate.
Tong’s personal confession led to an investigation by the Shanxi provincial schooling division. One other investigation additionally appeared into the position of his stepfather Tong Tianfeng, a deputy secretary-general in Linfen metropolis.
Tong Zhuo was ultimately stripped of his commencement certificates by the Central Academy of Drama. His stepfather Tong Tianfeng was faraway from workplace, and three schooling officers had been put beneath police custody for allegedly forging paperwork.
The place is he now?
Tong Zhuo continues to be very energetic on his social media, posting selfies and vlogs. He additionally nonetheless performs, though he has not participated in any massive media performances because the scandal.
#19 Zheng Shuang 郑爽
Zheng Shuang (郑爽, 1991) turned one of many greatest trending matters of 2021 when the Chinese language actress bought caught up in a surrogacy scandal. Zheng rose to fame when she starred in a preferred TV sequence in 2009 (Meteor Bathe 一起来看流星雨). She turned an award-winning actress and was chosen as some of the bankable younger actresses of the post-90s technology. On her Weibo account, she had over 12.4 million followers.
The scandal came to light when it appeared that Zheng’s had separated from her associate Zhang Heng (张恒). The previous couple had two youngsters within the US via a surrogacy association, however Zheng Shuang allegedly refused to have them as a result of she and Zhang had damaged up – although her title was on their start certificates.
The scenario, which was quickly dubbed ‘Surrogacy Gate’ (‘代孕门’), left Zhang Heng stranded in the USA with the 2 infants. He claimed he was unable to convey them again to China with him since Zheng didn’t cooperate with the required authorized procedures.
In gentle of the controversy, Italian vogue model PRADA fired Zheng as their model ambassador, and different corporations, together with Lola Rose and Chioture, additionally ended their partnership contracts with the actress.
Zheng’s skilled profession suffered a serious blow when Huading Awards introduced it will revoke Zheng’s honorary titles, together with former awards for greatest actress and favourite TV star. The superstar was additionally boycotted by China’s State Administration of Radio, Movie, and Tv.
The place is she now?
Zheng Shuang continues to be very a lot caught up on this scandal, and he or she won’t depart it behind her any time quickly.
In late July of 2021, her ex-partner posted a prolonged and angry blog on his Weibo the place he aired the soiled laundry concerning their authorized struggles and private conflicts. This put up got here after Zheng herself broke her six-month social media silence to apologize for her surrogacy scandal.
One other apology adopted in August of 2021, on the identical day when it turned identified the actress needed to pay a $46 million effective for tax fraud. This all occurred through the “August 26/27 Chinese celebrity earthquake.” Zheng Shuang additionally noticed her on-line fan circles eliminated, and several other TV dramas Zheng acted in had been faraway from main video platforms.
Zheng presently has court-ordered visits together with her youngsters within the US (her ex-partner has custody). Based on Today Online, Zheng has formally moved to America and isn’t doing effectively financially.
In social media posts that appear to have been eliminated afterward, Zheng claims that her household’s financial institution accounts have been blocked and that she has no revenue since she just isn’t allowed to work within the US. She wrote:
“If it makes you’re feeling any higher, I can inform you that I drink faucet water every single day to outlive, I personal a complete of 5 T-shirts and two pairs of denims, and I’ve by no means ordered supply,” she wrote. “I even have to be frugal when shopping for sanitary napkins, and bathroom paper needs to be used sparingly.”
What units Zheng Shuang aside from among the different ‘canceled’ celebrities on this listing, is that she nonetheless has her social media accounts and a loyal fan following. She may lack bathroom paper, however she nonetheless has 12,3 million followers on her Weibo account.
#20 Zhang Zhehan 张哲瀚
Chinese language actor Zhang Zhehan (张哲瀚, 1991) bought caught up in controversy in August 2021 when pictures of him visiting Japan’s Yasukuni Shrine and attending a marriage at Nogi Shrine went viral on social media. The truth that a few of these pictures had been three years previous didn’t appear to matter: Zhang acquired critical backlash for being ‘unpatriotic’ and was even accused of being a traitor to his nation.
Whereas Nogi Shrine was established to honor Normal Nogi Maresuke, who led Japan’s army through the First Sino-Japanese Warfare (1894-1895), Yasukuni Shrine is devoted to the Japanese troopers who sacrificed their lives for the emperor, together with those that dedicated warfare crimes in China. It’s usually seen as an emblem of Japanese army aggression and as a painful reminder of the quite a few atrocities dedicated by Japanese troopers in China and different Asian international locations.
Though Zhang Zhehan rushed to apologize for his “ignorance” concerning these traditionally delicate locations and expressed his love for China, it didn’t settle the social media storm. All the businesses that beforehand labored with the Chinese language superstar, together with Coca-Cola, Taobao, and Clinique, quickly introduced the termination of their partnership.
Zhang was additionally a model ambassador for Yanjing’s Xuelu beer. 1000’s of beer cans along with his face turned nearly ineffective after the controversy. Photographs exhibiting the deserted beer cans had been shared on-line by individuals on the warehouse, who claimed the beer could be destroyed since corporations allegedly had even refused to get them totally free.
On August 15, inside 48 hours after the controversy erupted, Sina Weibo introduced that it will shut down Zhang Zhehan’s private account, his studio account, and the ‘tremendous matter’ fan web page devoted to him. The Weibo Administration (@微博管理员) wrote: “As a public determine with a big following and plenty of followers, establishing right historic views and values is essentially the most fundamental degree {of professional} ethic and the underside line that have to be adhered to – ignorance can by no means be an excuse.”
That very same day, the China Affiliation of Performing Arts additionally released a notice through which they referred to as on members to boycott the actor for “negatively influencing the mass viewers of youths.” The actor was additionally criticized by the official media.
The place is he now?
Because the mud has not settled but, it’s nonetheless too early to attract any conclusions on how this controversy has affected Zhang, however it’s protected to say that Zhang’s life radically modified inside a matter of only a few days. The pictures he took at two traditionally delicate Japanese shrines meant a possible finish to his profession – no social media, no model partnerships, and an trade boycott. Only a yr prior, the actor had been given an award for Rising Artist of the 12 months.
Regardless of all controversy, Zhang nonetheless has a loyal fanbase. Though Zhang now not has his personal social media accounts, a few of his followers on Weibo are posting messages wishing him effectively.
#21 Kris Wu 吴亦凡
The Chinese language-Canadian famous person Kris Wu, higher often called Wu Yifan (吴亦凡) in China, turned a trending matter on Chinese language social media in the summertime of 2021 after he was accused of grooming underage ladies and pressuring ladies into intercourse.
The 19-year-old pupil Meizhu Du (都美竹) was the primary to accuse Wu of predatory conduct, with at the least 24 extra ladies coming ahead claiming the superstar confirmed inappropriate conduct and luring younger ladies into sexual relationships.
Though Wu denied all allegations, the famous person was detained on suspicions of rape on July thirty first. Weibo’s servers barely appeared to have the ability to deal with the spike in visitors after the information got here out, and feedback got here pouring in.
Shortly after Wu’s detainment, his Weibo account bought shut down and greater than a dozen corporations both minimize ties or terminated contracts with him. Because the scandal unfolded, varied hashtags associated to the story acquired billions of views on Weibo.
Wu was later additional erased from Chinese language social media; varied accounts exhibiting assist to the singer had been taken offline, and his music was faraway from the main Chinese language music streaming platforms.
On August 16, Kris Wu was formally arrested.
The place is he now?
At this level, it’s nonetheless unknown what sentence Kris Wu will face, and whether or not or not the singer will enter a responsible plea which could velocity up the authorized procedures.
If the Chinese language-Canadian superstar is convicted, it’s possible that he’ll serve his sentence in China after which be deported to Canada (he holds a Canadian passport). Chinese language state media reported that Wu could also be sentenced to 10 years to life if all allegations change into true.
Though Kris Wu may face a grim future, it’s noteworthy that the star, regardless of being nearly wiped from social media, nonetheless has many loyal followers who would gladly welcome him again.
#22 Zhao Wei 赵薇
On August 26 of 2021, the title and works of one of many nation’s most notable actresses, Zhao Wei (赵薇 aka Vicky Zhao, 1976) had been faraway from Chinese language on-line channels. Looking for Zhao Wei’s title on Chinese language video platforms Tencent Video, iQiyi, and Youku all of the sudden got here up with zero outcomes, and her title had vanished from the solid lists of the various movies and dramas she featured in.
Zhao Wei’s sudden disappearance from the highest leisure web sites despatched shockwaves over social media. Zhao Wei was clearly ‘canceled’ by larger authorities, however the precise purpose why was nonetheless unknown by September 2021 – though there was much speculation on what the explanation might be.
By early September, superstar buddies of Zhao had eliminated pictures taken along with the actress, and Baidu Baike, also called the Chinese language Wikipedia, had even erased the title of the actress from the pages of the TV dramas and movies she featured in (though she nonetheless had her personal wiki web page right now).
This was not the primary time that Zhao bought caught up in controversy, though it was by no means this unhealthy earlier than. In 2001, the actress wore a mini-dress printed with the previous Japanese naval flag throughout a vogue shoot, triggering main backlash over her perceived lack of sensitivity to historic issues.
The place is she now?
On the time of writing, Chinese language netizens are nonetheless ready for solutions on what has triggered Zhao Wei being erased on Chinese language on-line channels. Some rumors say the actress has fled to France, the place she has property, however nothing is confirmed right now.
Zhao Wei does nonetheless have her Weibo account, the place she has over 85.6 million followers.
#23 Qian Feng 钱枫
Only a week after Kris Wu was arrested, the favored Chinese language tv host Qian Feng was accused of rape in August of 2021. Qian is primarily often called the host of “Day Day Up” (天天问上), a preferred Chinese language discuss present broadcast on Hunan Tv.
As reported by Sixth Tone, a girl by the title of Xiao wrote on Weibo that the 37-year-old TV host raped her whereas she was drunk and unconscious. The incident allegedly occurred in 2019.
Though Xiao had reported the incident to the police, it didn’t result in an arrest because of an absence of proof. After Xiao’s put up went viral, Shanghai authorities issued an announcement to clarify why the investigations got here to an finish and that they welcome Xiao to supply new proof.
Pending investigations, Hunan TV suspended Qian Feng. One Weibo hashtag associated to the accusations in opposition to Qian acquired over two billion views (#钱枫被曝性侵#).
The place is he now?
On August 27 of 2021, Qian Feng got here out with an announcement on his Weibo account (@钱枫oscarqian) through which he indicated that the investigations into the case had been already rightfully concluded in 2019 and that he positioned his belief within the Chinese language authorized system.
On the similar time, he shared that he had terminated his contract with Hunan TV.
#24 Henry Huo 霍尊 (Huo Zun)
Henry Huo (霍尊, 1990) is a Chinese language singer-songwriter and actor who gained nationwide fame after successful the primary season of Sing My Track (中国好歌曲). Henry was requested to carry out within the CCTV Chinese language New 12 months Eve Gala and was awarded the title ‘2014 Drama King.’
In the summertime of 2021, Huo introduced his withdrawal from the favored TV present Call Me By Fire after his ex-girlfriend Chen Lu (陈露) publicly accused him of being a serial cheater and leaking WeChat dialog screenshots to show that he truly disliked the present.
On August 14, Huo issued a web-based apology for the latest controversy, saying sorry for his misbehavior and the “unhealthy social affect” he had triggered.
Moreover Huo’s exit from Name Me By Fireplace, the controversy additionally led to Huo’s first efficiency on the present being eliminated.
Throughout China’s “leisure circles earthquake” of August 26 and 27 (more here) on-line fan teams to Huo had been shut down, and his Weibo account was quickly disabled.
The place is he now?
Henry Huo continues to be on Weibo (@霍尊), the place he has over 8.7 million followers, however his account continues to be disabled.
Huo’s entry within the mainstream on-line encyclopedia Baike has been altered and now contains the latest controversy. It isn’t clear at this level if Huo’s withdrawal from China’s leisure trade is a brief or a everlasting one.
#25 Gao Xiaosong 高晓松
In late August of 2021, the work of the well-known musician, TV host and co-founder of Alibaba Music Group Gao Xiaosong (高晓松) was taken offline. Among the many erased works are his TV present (Xiaosong Pedia 晓松奇谈, faraway from video platforms similar to iQiyi) and the books he wrote (now not out there on varied e-commerce platforms). There was no official purpose given for Gao being canceled like this.
Nonetheless, the Chinese language Historial Analysis Institute (中国历史研究) revealed a put up on Weibo about Gao, criticizing him for historic nihilism and for “brazenly attacking and slandering our individuals’s military” throughout his talks on his TV present.
All through his reveals, Gao made varied remarks in regards to the Sino-Japanese Warfare, typically mentioning views or views that go in opposition to the official Chinese language narrative. Gao additionally visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine and allegedly expressed his sympthathy with these Japanese individuals visiting the shrine to commemorate their family members who died within the warfare.
Yasukuni shrine is devoted to the Japanese troopers who sacrificed their lives for the emperor, together with those that dedicated warfare crimes in China. It’s usually seen as an emblem of Japanese army aggression and as a painful reminder of the quite a few atrocities dedicated by Japanese troopers in China and different Asian international locations. In the article by the Chinese language Historic Analysis Insititute, Gao is accused of “defending Japanese militarism.”
The place is he now?
Similar to different celebrities caught up within the latest ‘leisure circles cleanup’, a lot continues to be unclear about why Gao was canceled and what his future will seem like. Some rumor that the web erasure of each Gao and Zhao Wei could be related to their hyperlinks to the Alibaba Group.
On the time of writing, no official assertion was given but by authorities nor by Gao himself.
By Manya Koetse (@manyapan)
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