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| Nashi’s Education Scandal: Shanghai Theatre Star Accused of Skipping Inner Mongolia Contract (Sina) |
Chinese actress Na Er Na Xi (那尔那茜)—better known by her stage name Nashi—has landed herself smack in the middle of a brewing scandal that’s threatening to overshadow her entire acting career.
The 35-year-old star, who rose to fame for her role as Deng Chan Yu in Creation of the Gods II and more recently as Amita in The Litchi Road, is now facing an official investigation by Inner Mongolian authorities over her alleged misuse of the national college entrance system (gaokao) and breach of an ethnic arts training contract.
What Went Down?
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| Nashi Accused of Faking School Record to Pass Gaokao, Skipping Return-to-Service Agreement |
It all started with what seemed like an innocent moment—Nashi sending best wishes to students ahead of gaokao season. But instead of praise, she triggered an avalanche of backlash.
Netizens quickly dug up an old interview where she casually mentioned being part of a state-sponsored "directional training" program for ethnic Mongolian students—one that was supposed to funnel graduates back to Inner Mongolia for arts-related work after uni. Spoiler: she never went back.
Instead, after enrolling at the prestigious Shanghai Theatre Academy in 2008, she pivoted straight into the entertainment biz. Netizens cried foul. Accusations flew about her entrance scores, alleged high school misrepresentation, and whether she finessed the system to dodge regional education rules.
Official Report Drops
The report didn’t accuse her of outright faking the scores—her actual marks (449 in liberal arts and 87/100 in her arts exam) did meet admission standards for the program. However, it did suggest her paperwork might have been “optimised” to take advantage of the more lenient regional policies for minority students.
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| Did Nashi Cheat the System? Gaokao Identity Scandal Sparks Public Backlash in China |
The Contract She Never Kept
Nashi was one of many ethnic Mongolian students admitted to a special directional training programme run between Inner Mongolia and Shanghai Theatre Academy, designed to boost minority arts talent. In exchange for tuition perks and streamlined admission, students were required to return to work in local arts organisations post-graduation.
Nashi? She skipped out.
In 2012, she asked to retrieve her diploma to “study in Norway”—a request which was granted. But rather than returning to work in Inner Mongolia afterwards, she jumped into the limelight with film and TV roles, ultimately never fulfilling the agreed contract terms.
Public Reactions: ‘Just Another Privileged Shortcut?’
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Online sentiment has turned sharply critical, especially in the wake of past education scandals involving fake identities and academic fraud in the entertainment world. Many are calling this “another case of gaming the system,” pointing to the unfair advantage gained over students who play by the rules.
Commentators and public figures alike are demanding a full investigation—not just into Nashi herself, but also the officials and institutions that might’ve turned a blind eye. Some are even asking whether Nashi’s so-called “study in Norway” was genuine or just another detour to avoid her contract obligations.
Her rapid rise in the industry—from newbie to working with top-tier directors like Wu Ershan—has also come under fire. Is it just talent? Or was there more at play?
Education Dept Promises Accountability
The Inner Mongolia Education Department has confirmed the investigation is still ongoing, and promised that any personnel found to be involved in misconduct will be held accountable. Officials also mentioned plans to review and tighten directional programme policies to stop similar situations in future.
As one local commentator put it:
“When the rules only apply to the rule-abiding, and privilege bends the system, it’s no longer education—it’s theatre.”
So What’s Next for Nashi?
For now, her recent drama The Litchi Road continues to air as planned, but whether her future projects survive the wave of criticism remains to be seen. Her fans are divided, with some urging people to separate the art from the artist, while others are calling for full transparency and accountability.
Ironically, “Na Er Na Xi” in Mongolian means “where the sunlight touches.” But with this scandal gaining traction, it looks like she might have to step out of the limelight—and into the interrogation room—for a while.
FAQ
Q: Who is Na Er Na Xi aka Nashi?
A: A Chinese actress of Mongol ethnicity, born in Inner Mongolia in 1989. She debuted in 2010 and gained popularity with roles in Creation of the Gods II and The Litchi Road.
Q: What’s the gaokao scandal about?
A: She allegedly used false information about her schooling to qualify for a regional arts programme aimed at minority students, then failed to fulfil her post-grad obligations.
Q: Did she fake her gaokao scores?
A: No—her scores were legitimate based on current findings, but her qualification method and contract breach are under scrutiny.
Q: Is she still active in the industry?
A: Yes—for now. Her dramas are still airing, but public and official pressure could impact future roles.
Q: What happens if she’s found guilty?
A: She could face penalties ranging from diploma revocation to bans from state-backed productions. Officials involved may also be disciplined.