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| “She Looks Like My Grandma”: China’s Model Contest Ignites Fierce Rigging Rumours |
A modelling contest in Shenzhen should have ended with the usual photo ops, polite applause, and congratulatory bouquets. Instead, it has exploded into one of China’s most chaotic viral debates this month — all thanks to one unexpected winner known only as Contestant 15.
The 28th International Model Contest China held its semi-finals in Shenzhen last week, showcasing the usual parade of sleek walks, high-shine dresses, and hopeful faces trying to secure their next big break.
Contestants strutted through multiple rounds — from classic qipao with traditional fans, to sporty race-girl fits, all the way to evening gowns topped with dramatic accessories.
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But the moment the crown was placed on Contestant 15’s head, the atmosphere in the venue shifted.
Cameras caught fellow contestants blinking in disbelief, the presenter hesitating for a split second, and even the crown-bearer looking as though they’d missed a memo.
And then came the internet.
“They Don’t Crown Daughters, But Their Mothers”
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Social media comments were swift and brutal.
The winner’s fuller figure and noticeably older appearance compared to the other hopefuls sparked intense suspicion among viewers.
One netizen didn’t hold back:
“They don’t crown daughters, but their mothers. She looks like my grandma & mum-in-law.”
Another joked — or maybe didn’t — that the whole thing looked less like a model competition and more like an “industry mixer with tiaras thrown in for fun”.
Several pointed out that the younger contestants, many with stronger runway walks and sharper presentation, were “robbed on stage for everyone to see”.
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A Familiar Pattern?
This isn’t the first time China’s beauty and modelling contests have gone viral for all the wrong reasons.
The recent Miss Chinese International Liaoning pageant and Miss Globe China also sparked widespread mockery online, particularly over eyebrow-raising “Best Body” award choices that left audiences wondering if the judges were watching the same show.
One comment summed up the mood of the nation:
“This isn’t about diversity. It’s backstage politics playing out in public.”
Organisers Silent as Debate Rages On
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As of now, the contest organisers have not responded to the storm of criticism. No explanation of the judging criteria has been offered, leaving room for speculation — and netizens are filling that space enthusiastically.
Meanwhile, clips from the final walk and crowning moment continue spreading across Chinese and Thai social platforms, where the reaction ranges from amused disbelief to outright frustration.
Whether Contestant 15’s win was a bold choice, a miscalculation, or simply a very unlucky PR moment, one thing is certain — this modelling contest has handed China another viral scandal, and the comments are showing no signs of slowing down.
Source: Weibo/Sohu/3g China