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.
Over just two days, she posted 11 updates about her Cannes activities, drawing sharp criticism for what many perceived as publicity stunts. One notable incident involved her deliberately spilling coffee on her gown and asking fans online how to clean it—an act seen as a ploy to boast about her presence at the prestigious event.
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.
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