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| Chen Sicheng Defends Li Gengxi Against Nepotism Rumors, Calls Online Conspiracies Baseless (Instagram/Sohu) |
At the premiere of his latest film Malice, acclaimed director and actor Chen Sicheng addressed the persistent swirl of negative speculation surrounding both himself and rising actress Teresa Li a.k.a Li Gengxi.
Speaking directly to the assembled press and fans, Chen Sicheng confronted head-on a wave of accusations suggesting that he has benefitted from powerful industry connections, as well as claims that Li Gengxi owes her opportunities to privileged status as a so-called “Beijing princess.”
In an uncharacteristically impassioned tone, Chen Sicheng rejected the rumors as groundless, describing them bluntly as “nonsense.”
He took particular aim at the popular notion that the film industry is controlled by hidden capital or conspiratorial alliances.
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“There are no elaborate conspiracies, no shadowy financiers pulling the strings,” Chen Sicheng asserted.
“We are simply a group of people who love cinema, who cherish the art of performance, and who work tirelessly to fulfil our ideals.”
He further encouraged the public to consider the countless hours of labor and personal sacrifice that go unseen behind a successful production.
“People only see our success on the surface,” he noted. “They do not see the effort, the sweat, the constant struggle behind each scene.”
Chen Sicheng also took the opportunity to defend Li Gengxi against the persistent allegations that she is a “resource baby” whose path has been paved by family ties or elite contacts. “None of that is true,” Sicheng stated emphatically.
“Li Gengxi is not some favoured ‘princess’ — she is an actress who has worked hard and proven herself.”
Li Gengxi’s own journey from being discovered as a teenager to starring in more than fifteen productions, including A Little Reunion and The Long Season, offers compelling evidence of dedication over privilege.
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At fifteen, she left formal schooling to pursue her dream, displaying a level of commitment that surpasses the stereotype of an entertainer who rose on family credentials alone.
Chen Sicheng, known for his meticulous directing style and unshakeable work ethic, borrowed the words of French writer Romain Rolland to reinforce his point: “True heroism is seeing the truth about life and still loving it.”
The remarks, delivered with striking sincerity, resonated strongly with both film industry colleagues and fans.
Social media has since been abuzz with praise for Chen Sicheng’s willingness to push back against a culture of suspicion and oversimplification, where success is too often attributed to mere connections or market forces.
Malice, Chen Sicheng’s newest directorial project, tackles precisely the theme of online abuse and misrepresentation.
Adapted from the novel The Malicious Woman Ayu, the thriller explores a shocking double-fall incident at a hospital, which triggers a social-media firestorm against wrongly accused suspects.
Zhang Xiaofei leads the cast as investigative journalist Ye Pan, alongside Chen Yusi, Mei Ting, Yang Enyou, and a special appearance by Li Gengxi.
As Chen Sicheng reminded the audience, “When we look at the glamorous images of celebrities, we rarely imagine the script pages soaked in sweat, the countless takes under harsh lights, or the personal sacrifices made to stand where they stand.”
In a rapidly changing media environment, Chen Sicheng’s appeal to fairness and deeper understanding struck a chord.
His hope, as he stated, is that viewers will look beyond the surface and recognise that true success in film is rarely instant, and almost never guaranteed by connections alone.