On May 16, QQ reported that the global media spotlight was focused on the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in France, where several Chinese artists attended. Among them, actress Zhao Yingzi stirred the most controversy.
Zhao Yingzi caused a stir by bringing her younger brother to the red carpet and posing beyond the allowed time, leading security to escort her off. She was removed mainly for violating Cannes’ new “no exposure” dress code with a silver sheer gown featuring a high slit. Zhao Yingzi later revealed on Weibo she changed dresses last minute after her original was stained. This year, Cannes tightened rules to ban revealing and oversized outfits to maintain decorum.
In addition, Zhao Yingzi attracted attention by sharing that she met her idol Tom Cruise and shook his hand on the red carpet. While some media praised the encounter, QQ reported that Zhao had deliberately pushed into the group greeting to get close to Cruise. Unfamiliar with her, Tom Cruise responded politely but was soon followed by a media staff member who asked Zhao Yingzi to leave the area to clear the way for the actor.
Her actions sparked widespread backlash from Chinese netizens, who accused her of exploiting Tom Cruise‘s fame for attention. Zhao Yingzi’s persistent attempts to insert herself into high-profile moments were seen as discourteous and self-serving. On her first day at Cannes, she boasted about seeing Leonardo DiCaprio on stage from the auditorium, yet it was revealed she attended as a commercial ticket holder, not a nominee. She prepared multiple outfits to flaunt her figure and even paid for media coverage to boost her reputation.
According to Sina, netizens’ strong reactions to Zhao Yingzi stem from her history of creating scandals and making bizarre, arrogant social media statements. In February, during a live stream, Zhao Yingzi shocked fans by confessing feelings for actor Cheng Yi, her co-star in “The Promise of Chang’an,” and openly discussing plans to pursue him. In another incident, after the drama “Joy of Life” aired, male lead Dou Xiao posted a farewell message without tagging Zhao Yingzi—likely to avoid upsetting his wife, Laurinda Ho. Zhao Yingzi responded “playfully,” whining, “Why didn’t you tag me? Are you still in character?”—a move criticized as manipulative flirtation or “green tea” behavior.
Zhao Yingzi also drew attention with other antics, such as standing maskless outside a hotel, seemingly waiting to be photographed by paparazzi, which fueled dating rumors with co-star Hu Yitian. She’s been accused of tactless attempts to “ride the coattails” of famous stars like Yang Mi, Dilraba Dilmurat, and Gillian Chung on social media, frustrating many observers. At the Weibo Night event, she stole the spotlight by fainting on the red carpet—a moment widely condemned as another publicity stunt.
In another controversial episode during a live broadcast on December 12, 2024, Zhao Yingzi claimed South Korean actor Cha Eun-woo is dating her close friend and sends her 100 million won (about $76,000) after arguments. She also said the girlfriend often travels from China to South Korea for skincare treatments. Zhao Yingzi shared a photo identified as Cha Eun-woo, sparking viral rumors under the hashtag “Cha Eun-woo dating Zhao Yingzi’s friend.” Many, however, doubted the claims, accusing Zhao Yingzi of seeking attention without evidence.
Zhao Yingzi: Controversies & Unknown Facts You Need to Know
✅ Who Is Zhao Yingzi?
Zhao Yingzi, also known as Yinger Zhao or Yoko Zhao, is a Chinese actress and singer born on December 16, 1987, in Yantai, Shandong. She rose to fame with TV dramas like “The Legend of Mi Yue” and “The Beauty of the Song Dynasty.” However, she’s also attracted media attention due to her outspoken nature and surprising public appearances.
⚠️ Top Zhao Yingzi Controversies
1. Bold Red Carpet Appearances
Zhao Yingzi has made headlines multiple times for her revealing red carpet outfits, especially at prestigious events like the Golden Rooster Awards and Weibo Night. Critics accused her of using “over-sexualized fashion” to grab attention, while others praised her confidence.
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2. “Attention-Seeking” Behavior on Variety Shows
Her dramatic gestures and exaggerated expressions on Chinese variety shows like “Sisters Who Make Waves” sparked online backlash, with netizens calling her “overacting” and “fake.” Despite criticism, this boosted her popularity and search trends.
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3. Plastic Surgery Rumors
Fans noticed significant changes in her facial appearance between 2015 and 2022, sparking plastic surgery speculation. Zhao has not confirmed any procedures, but the online debate remains active.
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🌟 10 Unknown Facts About Zhao Yingzi (赵樱子)
1. She’s a Classically Trained Actress
Zhao Yingzi graduated from the Central Academy of Drama, one of China’s top performing arts institutions.
2. She Was Once a Beauty Queen
Before acting, she won Miss Asia Pageant (China region) in her early career, which opened doors for her in the entertainment industry.
3. Zhao Yingzi Can Sing Opera
She trained in traditional Chinese opera singing as a teenager, which influences her emotional depth in historical drama roles.
4. She’s Multi-Lingual
Besides Mandarin, Zhao is fluent in Korean and conversational English, having worked on joint film projects with Korean production houses.
5. Zhao Loves Martial Arts
To prepare for historical dramas, she learned wushu and sword fighting, which she performs herself in costume dramas.
6. She’s an Animal Rights Supporter
Zhao often posts about adopting stray animals and has donated to several animal shelters in China.
7. She Was Almost in a K-Drama
Zhao was once in talks to appear in a Korean-Chinese co-produced drama in 2017, but the project fell through due to political tensions.
8. She Uses a Pseudonym
In early modeling gigs, Zhao performed under the name “Yoko Zhao”, especially in international fashion shows.
9. She Keeps Her Family Life Private
Although active on social media, Zhao has never revealed much about her family, choosing to keep her personal life off-camera.
10. She’s Open About Rejection
In interviews, Zhao has candidly discussed being rejected from more than 50 auditions early in her career, inspiring many young actors.
