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| Chinese Actress Zhao Yingzi Reportedly Asked to Leave Cannes Red Carpet Due to Outfit Violation (Weibo) |
The 2025 Cannes Film Festival opened in spectacular fashion, drawing film industry elites, international celebrities and fashion icons to its legendary red carpet.
However, the glamorous affair took an unexpected turn for Chinese actress Zhao Yingzi (赵樱子), whose appearance on the red carpet became a subject of heated discussion across social media after she was reportedly asked to leave due to her outfit.
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The 34-year-old actress, best known for her roles in dramas such as You Are My Glory, arrived on the red carpet on Tuesday morning (Malaysia time) alongside high-profile names including fellow Chinese actress Wan Qianhui (王阡惠) and American supermodel Bella Hadid.
Zhao turned heads in a striking silver gown, featuring a crystal-encrusted bodice and a semi-sheer torso that subtly revealed her midsection.
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Although such daring ensembles have long been a staple of the Cannes red carpet, this year marked the implementation of a stricter dress code policy.
Festival organisers reportedly introduced a ban on nuudity and overly revealing attire, with an emphasis on maintaining a “refined and elegant atmosphere” for the event.
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Shortly after Zhao’s appearance, a video surfaced on Chinese social media platforms, showing a female staff member approaching the actress and gesturing for her to leave the red carpet.
The two exchanged a few words before Zhao walked off, accompanied by the staff member. Though she maintained composure, observers noted she appeared visibly disappointed.
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The clip rapidly went viral, prompting speculation that Zhao had breached the newly enforced dress code.
While some netizens were quick to conclude the actress was asked to leave due to her attire, others proposed a more logistical explanation – that she may have exceeded the time allotted for individual photo opportunities on the carpet.
Adding to the drama, Zhao Ying Zi had already drawn attention earlier that day when she posted on Weibo about accidentally staining her original red jumpsuit with coffee.
She sought advice from fans on how to clean the garment, which some critics interpreted as a publicity stunt. “She’s trying too hard to stay in the spotlight,” wrote one commenter, while others accused her of “manufacturing drama” to trend online.
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Despite the controversy, Zhao Yingzi's appearance did not go unnoticed for the right reasons as well. Her silver gown, though provocative, was praised by fashion enthusiasts for its craftsmanship and silhouette, with some calling it one of her most stunning looks to date.
As of now, Zhao Yingzi has not issued any public statement regarding the incident, leaving room for ongoing speculation. Whether she was indeed reprimanded for her choice of dress or merely caught up in festival protocol, her brief moment on the red carpet has undeniably stirred conversation far beyond the steps of the Palais des Festivals.