Chinese actress Bai Lu found herself facing a wave of online criticism last month over accusations that she’s “disrespectful” based on clips from the variety show Keep Running. Things have expanded into various rumors about her personal and professional conduct.
In response, the 31-year-old actress’ studio and her lawyers have issued a strongly worded statement, rejecting the allegations as defamatory. The points they refuted included claims that Bai Lu had falsified her educational background, manipulated billing order, has a powerful backer, etc. The most recent one came from screenwriter Meng Qiqi whose accusations blew up after she had published a series of social media posts when The First Jasmine started airing. She claims her team wrote the original script for the drama and that Bai Lu used her influence to demand for the team to be replaced. In the comments section, Meng Qiqi questioned: “On what basis was a new screenwriter inserted right before filming started?”
Bai Lu’s side has called out the allegations as false and is pursuing legal action to protect the actress’ reputation rights. The first batch has reportedly been filed against nine individuals, which includes Meng Qiqi, while evidences from 61 other accounts have been preserved. Her legal team has made it clear that they will not accept mediation or settlement, and are demanding that those responsible for the alleged infringements bear responsibility through both public apologies and financial compensation.
Update June 16:
Meng Qiqi publicly apologized to Bai Lu, admitting that she had wrongly assumed the screenwriters being replaced on The First Jasmine was linked to the actress. Due to the Untouchable Lovers controversy and confusion surrounding communication with the lead cast, Meng said she had reached an incorrect conclusion. After verifying the facts through multiple channels, she confirmed that Bai Lu was not involved and offered a formal apology, while urging netizens not to spread rumors.
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Wendy
I hope the fine for malicious rumor-mongering is not low in China; lawyers and court cases are expensive. In fact, I’m always surprised at how it seems Chinese celebrities always have to pay for defamation court cases themselves even if they are a rookie or complete newbie; shouldn’t their company pay to defend them (if they belong to a company)? Also if the penalty fee isn’t high how could any celebrity afford to protect themselves? All the celebrity’s money would be used in court cases.
Also am I right in that rumor blackening of Chinese celebrities’ careers is a business? I read that in novels and have seen people talk about it on reddit. ‘Keyboard warriors’ and ‘water armies’?
How is that legal in China? Or why is that legal? I imagine they don’t allow businesses to trash talk falsely other businesses because it would damage public trust in products and affect the economy. If celebrities are products of the entertainment businesses that bring in massive revenue for the economy (brands, marketing, tourism, entertainment, movie theaters, streaming, etc) then shouldn’t businesses in unfair lying practices be illegal?
Kai
Celebrities suing for defamation is a personal action, not a corporate action. (Unless of course, they defamed the agency as well.) Hence, when there is any order as to costs, it will be in the person’s name. Of course, if the celebrity is under an agency, their legal cost might be reimbursed fully or partially by the agency depending on their agreement. It is a civil action, not a criminal action.
Creating rumors , fake news, disinformation is a business in every country, and it can be against anything deemed to be a political, financial or strategic interest. It is not just in China or against Chinese celebrities. I’m sure you know that the US government has a big official budget for creating fake news and disinformation against China. Many businesses, including big brand names practises it. They call it ‘public relations”, “branding”, “marketing strategies”. Yep, same type of business. The line between facts and fake is very thin.
The government will only step in with criminal charges when the fake news, disinformation, incitement etc is a threat to national security, to public health and safety, to causing racial / religious unrest and conflicts etc. Eg. in China, they convicted and executed key executives of a baby formula proven to cause death; a celebrity was fined for endorsing a product which beneficial claims were proven fake.
I would say China goes after this kind of people much more rigourosly and consistently than other countries.
Wendy
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. You are right- I never thought about marketing false claims as legal here in USA because I was thinking of people and less of products but the grocery store gossip magazines are all nonesense and yet the magazines aren’t held accountable. And I wish people who knowing lie about dangerous products here were put to death. The family that started the opiod crisis and the tobacco industry have made so much money on the suffering of others and have basically gotten away with it. I wish freedom of speech did not mean freedom from responsibility for the rich. It’s used to be uncommon to see people have sustained marketing hate compaigns against them (unless you were a politician during an election year) in America. I vaguely remember there used to be a law against it that was removed by Republican vote in the 80’s (just around the time FOX news started to pick up steam). I think it was something like the news/media had to wait to fully understand what was going on before they could report on something/someone and that they had to be honest about what was known… that they couldn’t speculate. I remember the Republicans said that since that was basic morality that it didn’t need to be stated in law so they removed the law that punished knowningly lying media reports and slowly more and more malicious speculation became common in media. *sigh*
Kai
Yes, sad that the US political system is so polarized along some imaginary line of opposing principles, instead of tackling real issues. You hardly seem to have a choice – it’s either blue or red. Here, we are used to seeing multi-party elections and the issues they stand for. Also, laws passed are not easily removable. Flip-flopping of laws causes confusion and injustice to people.
Even so, the Republicans should know that “morality” is subjective and personal. If something is for the good of the society at large and for the nation, then it must be encoded into law. Otherwise, morality means nothing. Have a good day.
HL
Good for her. She can fight for herself..
Dee
I Stan a queen !!!!! Go all the way maybe then these people will start seeing celebrities as humans
nuh-uh
hell yeah. go girl
Rudra
Love bailu always. AS an international fan of her I think she is the best.All of her drama was create by her own charming. She is absolutely awesome.
The whole Keep Running Family love her💙
Hope that Those fake news will never hurt her.we support her.