Mainland Chinese actress Zhang Jiani, who gained popularity for her role as “Empress Shun” in the drama series “Story of Yanxi Palace,” recently had her Weibo and other social media accounts “unbanned.” She is the second celebrity, following Angelababy, to have the ban lifted after the “Mad Horse Show” controversy.
Last September, Zhang Jiani and Angelababy attended Paris Fashion Week. The two, who were under intense scrutiny, were reported to have privately attended the “Mad Horse Show” featuring Lisa, a member of the Korean girl group BLACKPINK. These two actresses, who were at the peak of their careers, suddenly disappeared from the entertainment industry overnight.
At the time, netizens reported that evidence of Zhang Jiani attending the “Mad Horse Show” was a photo she took outside the venue, and she was mentioned by the show’s official account for being present. Although Angelababy was not directly mentioned by the show’s organizers, photos of her leaving the event surfaced online, and despite several days passing since the incident, Angelababy remained silent.
As a result of their actions, both actresses had their Weibo, Douyin, Baidu accounts, and other social platforms banned. Their reputations suffered a significant blow, and their entertainment careers faced obstacles, with TV appearances being edited out and endorsement deals banned from airing.
Angelababy returned after a three-month ban earlier this year, while Zhang Jiani’s ban lasted longer, a full year. Recently, her Weibo and other social platforms have been restored to normal, sparking the trending hashtag “Zhang Jiani ban lift.”
Some netizens believe that now that Zhang Jiani’s ban has been lifted, we may gradually see her presence in the entertainment industry, but whether this equates to a full-fledged “comeback” remains uncertain. Angelababy’s experience demonstrates that the “road to a comeback” is not easy. For instance, she has been excluded from shows like “Keep Running,” and the fate of several upcoming dramas she was part of is still unknown. She has yet to make appearances on various red carpets.