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| Xie Mengwei’s Livestream Backfires: Detained, Account Banned, Film Scenes Axed |
Chinese actor Xie Mengwei, best known by many as “Gazi” from his child star days, has landed himself in hot water after appearing in a livestream wearing a police uniform.
What Happened to Xie Mengwei?
On 17 September, authorities in Gengma County, Yunnan, announced that a 36-year-old surnamed Xie had been given seven days of administrative detention.
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| Police's Statement |
The man in question turned out to be actor Xie Mengwei, who was caught donning a police-style outfit while hosting a sales livestream during breaks from filming.
He was also banned from Douyin, where he had 4.2 million followers.
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The incident sparked backlash, with officials saying the act had created a negative social impact.
By the following day, 18 September, Xie Mengwei’s Kuaishou account—which had amassed more than 11.16 million followers—was permanently blocked.
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Why It’s a Big Deal
China’s state media Xinhua stressed that a police uniform is a symbol of authority and should never be used to sell products or boost popularity.
They warned that public power cannot be commodified, and such imagery shouldn’t be reduced to background props for marketing.
Adding to the fallout, the film production Xie Mengwei was working on confirmed they would no longer keep him in the cast.
His scenes will be reshoots with a replacement actor, a costly move since it requires pulling other cast members back to set—but the producer said it was necessary to protect the project’s reputation.
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The Actor’s Response
Xie Mengwei initially defended himself in livestream comments, saying the outfit was a prop from his anti-narcotics film.
But he later apologised on social media, admitting he shouldn’t have worn the costume outside of official filming and expressing regret to law enforcement for the damage caused.
China’s Ministry of Public Security has strict rules in place: any use of police uniforms for acting or stage performance requires approval from provincial authorities. Wearing them casually, especially for livestream selling, is strictly forbidden.
This case highlights the growing scrutiny on celebrity livestream culture, where stars often juggle acting careers with online commerce—but sometimes cross legal or ethical boundaries.