Chinese Actress Zhao Wei, who has been banned for over three years, surprised fans on November 12th by posting a photo on Instagram of herself spinning a top with a sunflower emoji. Despite rumors of a comeback in recent years, Zhao Wei’s return has never materialized, leaving fans speculating and discussing.
Zhao Wei rose to fame starring in the popular TV drama “My Fair Princess”. On August 26, 2021, she was abruptly banned from all Chinese internet platforms, leading to the removal of her works and the erasure of her name from cast lists. Her official accounts were shut down, unreleased projects had her replaced, and even colleagues distanced themselves out of fear of repercussions.
At the beginning of the ban, there were rumors that Zhao Wei had secretly emigrated to France to escape. However, she later clarified on her Instagram account, accessible only to Chinese netizens through circumvention tools, that she and her parents were in Beijing. Some netizens even spotted her at an airport holding a Chinese ID card.
To date, the public remains unaware of Zhao Wei’s circumstances, and there has been no official explanation for her sudden ban. Speculations abound regarding the reasons, including her alleged association with Jack Ma or being caught in political struggles between figures like Zeng Qinghong and Xi Jinping.
In a previous post on Instagram, Zhao Wei shared a photo of a Buddha statue with a heartfelt caption and a prayer, hinting at mourning her recently deceased father without disclosing her whereabouts.
Recently, on a popular Chinese talent show, the list of mentors for the third season was released. Zhao Wei, who had served as a mentor for two previous seasons, was replaced by British actor Rupert Grint. However, this information has yet to be officially confirmed.
Earlier this year, rumors circulated online suggesting Zhao Wei had attempted suicide. Fans were relieved when photos surfaced showing her in Harbin smiling and indulging in traditional snacks. Throughout the year, there have been fluctuations in her online presence, from the restoration of her personal Weibo account to the disappearance of mosaic censorship on her videos on bilibili.
On November 12th, Zhao Wei’s Instagram post featuring a spinning top evoked imagery from Christopher Nolan’s film “Inception”. The uncertainty surrounding Zhao Wei’s situation mirrors the film’s themes, prompting speculation among fans: Is the top still spinning? If it stops, does it signify returning to reality, or being trapped in a dream?