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| Tony Leung and Xin Zhilei Red Carpet Moment Sparks Days of Online Discussion. (Credits: HK01) |
The opening night of the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival was supposed to be all about cinema, glamour and a star-studded jury. Instead, much of the online conversation quickly shifted towards Xin Zhilei, after clips from the festival's red carpet sparked claims that the actress was trying to place herself at the centre of attention. More than a week later, the Chinese star has finally responded, and her answer has only fuelled even more discussion across social media.
The controversy began during a group photo session featuring jury members, including acclaimed actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai and actress Xin Zhilei.
Edited video clips soon started circulating online, with some users alleging that Xin Zhilei had deliberately positioned herself to secure the most prominent spot in the photograph.
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As often happens on the internet, a few seconds of footage suddenly became a full-blown debate, with countless armchair directors seemingly convinced they had uncovered a hidden red carpet strategy.
According to a statement released by Xin Zhilei's studio, the accusations are completely unfounded. Her management team argued that certain social media accounts selectively edited and combined footage from the event, creating a misleading narrative that did not reflect what actually happened on the night.
The statement stressed that all guest positions, movements and photo arrangements were organised entirely by festival officials rather than individual attendees.
The explanation offered by the actress's team paints a far less dramatic picture than the rumours suggested. During the group photograph, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, who served as jury president, arrived slightly later than some of the other members.
Reports indicate that fellow jurors, including Xin Zhilei, helped guide him towards the position reserved for him. Once he settled into place, he partially blocked Xin from view, prompting filmmaker Guan Hu to gesture for her to move slightly so her face remained visible in the final photograph.
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The actress reportedly complied with a smile, creating what appeared to be a perfectly ordinary moment before the internet decided it required a conspiracy theory.
In its statement, the management company also revealed that legal representatives have already been appointed to collect evidence relating to accounts that allegedly spread false claims.
The team said it had completed extensive evidence gathering across online platforms and would pursue further action against individuals responsible for creating or distributing misleading content. It marks one of the rare occasions that Xin Zhilei has publicly addressed online rumours through a formal legal response.
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Interestingly, much of the discussion has now shifted away from the original allegations and towards the timing of the statement itself. Observers noticed that the document carried a date linked to the opening ceremony but was only released after the festival had largely concluded.
C-netz interpreted the delayed publication as a deliberate decision to avoid overshadowing the event. In the eyes of supporters, the actress chose to prioritise the festival before responding to criticism, a move that earned praise for restraint and professionalism.
Xin Zhilei fans argue that the footage clearly shows a routine red carpet interaction that was exaggerated far beyond reality. Many praised Xin Zhilei for remaining silent while the festival was ongoing, describing the delayed response as measured and dignified.
They pointed out that if event organisers control every aspect of guest placement, the central accusation simply does not hold much weight.
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Critics, however, remain unconvinced. Some c-netz believe public figures inevitably attract scrutiny and argue that every movement on a major red carpet will continue to be analysed frame by frame.
A few questioned why the statement took several days to appear, while others maintained that the controversy itself had already become larger than the original incident. For now, Xin Zhilei appears determined to move on while letting her legal team handle the matter.