The opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival 2026 quickly became a hot topic online after several Chinese celebrities, including Lay Zhang, were accused of creating chaos on the red carpet.
Held on May 13 in France, this year’s Cannes opening attracted numerous Asian stars such as Gong Li, Zhao Tao, Lay Zhang, Mike Angelo, and Xie Keyin. However, social media attention soon shifted away from fashion and films to criticism surrounding the behavior of several attendees from the Chinese entertainment industry.
According to viral clips circulating on Weibo, Lay Zhang appeared visibly nervous and confused while posing for photographers. The singer reportedly struggled to find the correct spot on the carpet and unintentionally crossed in front of other celebrities during photo sessions.
The controversy escalated when Lay Zhang, Xie Keyin, and several lesser-known Chinese celebrities allegedly stopped for extended photo sessions near the staircase area, blocking pathways and disrupting the flow of guests entering the venue. Videos shared online showed Cannes staff approaching the group twice to signal them to move along.
Chinese netizens reacted strongly to the incident. Many described the scene as “messy” and “embarrassing,” criticizing the celebrities for lacking professionalism at an international event. Lay Zhang, in particular, faced backlash for looking inexperienced and awkward during the high-profile appearance. Some commenters even described him as appearing “lost” amid the global media frenzy.
The incident also reignited long-running criticism aimed at certain Chinese celebrities attending Cannes. Chinese media noted that in previous years, stars including Jing Tian, Zhang Xinyu, and Yang Mi were similarly criticized for lingering too long on the red carpet in attempts to maximize exposure.
While Cannes red carpet appearances remain a major prestige opportunity for Asian stars, this year’s controversy once again sparked debate over celebrity etiquette and the pressure to capture viral moments at global entertainment events.
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