Not Cute Enough for the Olympics!

Posted by Alex in Baby & Kids, Music, Sports on August 12, 2008 at 1:50 pm


Millions of viewers were captivated by Lin Miaoke, the cute little girl who sang during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Problem was, she was lip-synching because the real singer, 7-year-old Yang Peiyi, was deemed not cute enough:

"The reason was for the national interest," said Chen Qigang, the ceremony’s musical director, in a state radio interview. "The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feeling and expression. … Lin Miaoke is excellent in those aspects."

The decision was made at the highest levels, Chen said.

"We had to do it," he said. "We’d been through several inspections. They’re all very strict. When we rehearsed at the spot, there were several spectators from various divisions, especially leaders from the Politburo, who gave the opinion it must change."

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41 comments to "Not Cute Enough for the Olympics!"

  1. Lindsey
    August 12th, 2008 at 2:14 pm

    That is terrible! The little girl who actually sang was just as pretty!

  2. Xerloq
    August 12th, 2008 at 2:22 pm

    Yay Communism! State mandated beauty.

  3. WrapAroundSam
    August 12th, 2008 at 2:33 pm

    And just how sad is that? A government that's so concerned about how something looks. Kids of that age shouldn't be exposed to bullshit like this. The other girl doesn't look that much different. In our culture the little one who has the beautiful voice would be crushed but in a communist nation appearance is everything. Childish and stupid. Now let's all bitch about how poorly we have it here.

  4. Agencies NY
    August 12th, 2008 at 2:34 pm

    This decision may also have also been influenced by Miss China becoming Miss World this year - and China hosting that Miss World pageant. They are also hosting the Miss International pageant in a few months

    Perhaps, they are trying to reestablish an image of their people to the world

  5. Tim Giachetti
    August 12th, 2008 at 2:36 pm

    They should host the "China can kiss the rest of the worlds ass" show too.

  6. Nicole
    August 12th, 2008 at 2:45 pm

    This is so wrong. Yang is beautiful too! I hate the world sometimes.

  7. Angstrom
    August 12th, 2008 at 2:56 pm

    I thought the lip synching looked odd at the time, but assumed that it was just due to some over-eager processing of the recording the girl was miming to.
    With this following on from the "fake firework footsteps" I am beginning to wonder if any of it really happened.

    Some of it was real right?

  8. EEM
    August 12th, 2008 at 3:17 pm

    disgusting :(

  9. Flizbot
    August 12th, 2008 at 3:38 pm

    I find it a bit hypocritical that the media is hyping up all this stuff China's doing for the olympics. First there was the dress code and now this.
    Don't you think that almost exactly the same thing happens here in the west (probably to a larger extent). The difference these aspects of our society are not dictated to us by the government, but by various other factors (I'm not gonna point any fingers like a crazy conspiracist). What do you think would happen if you wandered around in a string vest and how many unnattractive pop stars do we have (especially female).
    So by all means condemn this act, as I too disagree with it, but bear in mind that none of us live in this utopia where looks don't count.

  10. gtstiggy
    August 12th, 2008 at 3:45 pm

    This is amazing. Is America so hell bent on finding the faults of the show that they would reveal this as a story? Next thing you know they are going to say that the people who were running around the globe were really computer graphics... and the world will come to an end?! It seems like America is jealous of the show the Chinese put on because its much better than the one we put on. Just keep in mind its ENTERTAINMENT and the entertainment in america is significantly worse in the regard of screening for 'prettiness'.

  11. RayBee27
    August 12th, 2008 at 3:48 pm

    Flizbot...

    AH, YES!!! My thoughts EXACTLY!!! C'mon, people! These comments from the same type whose "Idol" votes are cast to some degree on LOOKS!!!

    Give me a break.

    I don't agree with the decision either, but be careful pointing fingers. We are, after all, a society of plastic faces and bodies, tummy tucks and Rogaine, and Junior Beauty Pagents.

  12. EEM
    August 12th, 2008 at 4:03 pm

    No one said anything about how the US is so much better than china for this. (at least i didn't)

    I think it's just sad that society as a WHOLE is subjecting little girls to this kind of treatment :(

  13. Johnny Cat
    August 12th, 2008 at 4:27 pm

    um, hi. Anybody remember Zelma Davis, who lip-synched the "Gonna Make You Sweat" lick that pretty much sold the song, at least as far as the video was concerned? The only thing about this that's new? Different culture.

    Everybody Behave, Now.

  14. Lindsey
    August 12th, 2008 at 4:42 pm

    This is sad to me.

    Do I think the US is infallible? Far from it!
    I do think we are being a bit heavy on the scrutiny? Absolutely!

    I thought the opening ceremony was beautiful! I praise China on its integrity in providing a wonderfully spectacular opening! I think they succeeded above and beyond!

    However, this is sad.

    We are talking a beautiful little girl with a wonderful voice who was well deserving of the spot light. This is sad to me because this little angel is being taught that no matter what her talent, beauty is everything.

    And to the little "beauty" you will always be a winner based on looks alone... So sad, perhaps she will grow into a homely adult and have nothing but the notion that her beauty was the only thing of substance she had to offer.

    In a world where beauty does prevail... how sad it is that we perpetuate the ideal even among the tiniest little talents.

  15. Neatoramawontsendmeapassword
    August 12th, 2008 at 4:54 pm

    Yes, it has happened before. But those were ADULTS. This is a great example of how to damage child's psyche for life. This little girl will always know that she wasn't cute enough to represent her country.

  16. mjgolli
    August 12th, 2008 at 4:57 pm

    Such is China;
    Such is the world.

  17. clinton labombard
    August 12th, 2008 at 5:17 pm

    The Chinese operate from a far more utilitarian perspective than many in the US (or I do, for that matter). If one child can flawlessly lip sync and the other can flawlessly sing, then why not do it that way? It's like having a writer who puts together the greatest works and having the greatest actor portray them. They can both have credit. And in this case, we /did/ learn about this and know who's who.

    They /both/ did an excellent job and they /both/ deserve credit. (and they're both cute)

  18. Anonymous
    August 12th, 2008 at 5:43 pm

    I like the first girl better. The second one looks spoilt.

  19. PaulVI
    August 12th, 2008 at 6:02 pm

    With her sacrifice, "Not-pretty Singing Girl" brought honor to her family. That, and an extra bag of rice plus a family pass to the movie "Glorious and Victorious China".

  20. zkee
    August 12th, 2008 at 6:15 pm

    "The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feeling and expression. … Lin Miaoke is excellent in those aspects."

    "Flawless?" The kid can't SING! Of is that not a "flaw" in Communist China, or just a lesser one to having crooked teeth? Does anybody else remember little Connie Talbot on "Britain's Got Talent" wowing television audiences.... with no front teeth!

    Of all the things China can aspire to, you wouldn't think bad Hollywood celebrity-ism standards would be one of them.

    Does Miaoke Vanilli have a "flawless" Ph.D. in quantum physics too?

  21. zkee
    August 12th, 2008 at 6:19 pm

    Hey somebody call Simon Cowell. The next great reality pop show? "LIP SYCH IDOL"! or how about "You've Got Pseudo-Talent!"

  22. iluvhatemail
    August 12th, 2008 at 6:19 pm

    welcome to the 21st century everyone, can we now move on and find something else to be appalled at?

  23. bean
    August 12th, 2008 at 7:21 pm

    I'm amazed at all the people bending over backward to complement Communist China for crap like the Olympics.

    Guess what? You can get a lot done when your entire country is afraid of being locked away for having a hair out of place on TV.

  24. Moi
    August 12th, 2008 at 7:32 pm

    Making things look real are what China does best; fake bags, fake watches, fake voices.

  25. Dianne
    August 12th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

    Just another reason for me to hate the Olympics. All show, all for the big bucks, etc.

  26. Jacki
    August 12th, 2008 at 8:22 pm

    Anyone ever watch the korean movie "200 Pounds of Beauty"?
    This is an eerie echo of it. But the terrible part of it was it happened to children.

  27. ted
    August 12th, 2008 at 9:13 pm

    haha.
    I thought a lot of parts in the opening ceremonies looked lip-synched. I just assumed the kid wasn't actually singing, or her microphone wasn't turned on, and the whole bit was pre-recorded.

    And damn, that girl on the right IS better-looking. That's what life is all about. Beautiful people succeed. Get over it, whiny folks.

  28. leongsoon
    August 12th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

    Such shallow mentality..

  29. Johnny Cat
    August 12th, 2008 at 10:12 pm

    I have enjoyed the Olympics this week, I dunno, I am amazed at the athleticism on display. Phelps definitely has a challenge here, and that's always awesome. I missed the part of the otherwise criticism-free opening ceremonies featuring the singing "beauty" kid. But you gotta admit, those opening ceremonies were impressive. You also gotta admit, the next morning's footage of the Village was horrendously smoggy.

    On a side note, I find it fun to watch the events while listening to U2's "Silver and Gold" off the Rattle and Hum album.

    "Am I buggin you? Didn't mean to bug ya. Edge, play the blues."

  30. Josh
    August 13th, 2008 at 12:53 am

    This is largely a cultural difference. Most Chinese would not find this the least bit offensive. We can not pretend that this sort of thing does not happen here in the states, the Chinese people seem to be willing to be more self aware in this respect.

    We need to encourage China. Look how far they have come in the past 10-20 years.

  31. mszladyp
    August 13th, 2008 at 1:12 am

    that sucks!
    the decision of is soo mean!
    the first girl who can sing is CUTE too! c'mon! =(
    i feel sorry for the first girl. now she'll think that she's not good enough to represent her country or something.

  32. Absent
    August 13th, 2008 at 4:11 am

    Out of billions of people they couldn't find someone who could sing and was cute?

  33. anon
    August 13th, 2008 at 7:41 am

    @Flizbot - spot on.
    @Absent - epic lulz

    Don't get bent out of shape folks. China's antics pale in comparison to the lies we tell ourselves about the efficacy of the TSA and our need to throw away our basic rights for security.

  34. hoop
    August 13th, 2008 at 8:52 am

    Yang won't have any self image or self esteem problems. Message: Only the pretty and skinny girls get to do fun things.

  35. alison
    August 13th, 2008 at 8:58 am

    ouch

  36. Thomas
    August 13th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

    We're all surprised by this why? I'd say the only surprising thing about this is how much China is starting to act like America. They grow up so fast... *tear*

  37. Gladeye
    August 13th, 2008 at 12:23 pm

    The American version of this was Milli Vanilli.

  38. Sammy
    August 13th, 2008 at 1:44 pm

    I honestly thought the lip-synching girl was a bit frightening!

  39. RM
    August 13th, 2008 at 9:13 pm

    Kids shouldn´t be exposed as a start.

  40. TD
    August 13th, 2008 at 9:52 pm

    Sad really. A few years down the track this little girl will read back over what was written at the time. She will see that a bunch of twits in China dubbed her NOT CUTE ENOUGH to publicly deliver her talent to the world

  41. Lester
    August 15th, 2008 at 4:50 am

    First off, we don't know for sure that Yang wasn't chosen because she wasn't "cute enough." What they've commented on and confirmed was that she had a poor stage presence. Secondly, the media should really be ashamed, and be to blame for making Yang have any self-image/self esteem problems. For all we know, the people in charge could have chosen not to use her due to her having stage fright, or not feeling comfortable performing live. But the media finds out, and they find a photo of her in which she's not dolled up and wearing make up, and they compare it to a photo of a girl who IS dolled up and wearing make up, and they come to the conclusion that it must have been because girl #1 wasn't pretty enough. And that very well may have been the reason she wasn't chosen, but it's unconscionable to make those kind of statements about a perfectly beautiful young girl on the international scene, like the media has. My heart goes out to both little girls for being subjected to nasty comments by people all over the world.


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