38-year-old Chinese actress Tao Xinran, known for her role as “An Lingrong” in the TV series “Empresses in the Palace,” has recently gained widespread attention for her new self-produced film “Between the Cracks.” During a promotional event in Beijing, she unexpectedly revealed her childhood experience of surviving an attempted sexual assault, sparking discussions among netizens and quickly becoming a hot topic.
Accompanied by her mother and daughter, Tao Xinran attended the premiere of “Between the Cracks” in Beijing. In the film, she portrays a single mother navigating the uphill battle of finding a suitable school for her 8-year-old daughter.
During the event, Tao Xinran mentioned a study they conducted, revealing that 66.7% of women have been victims of assault or harassment, a statistic she falls into herself. With a soft voice, she asked her mother in the audience, “Mom, can I speak?” After receiving her mother’s approval, she bravely shared, “I was only nine years old that year. I ran away that day, and it was an attempted assault.”
Her revelation shocked the audience and ignited discussions online. She further disclosed that she did not immediately confide in her mother at the time, only finding the courage to discuss it with her after becoming a mother herself. By choosing to share this traumatic experience publicly, it is evident that she has gone through a process of long-term psychological strength.
In facing this childhood shadow, Tao Xinran uses film as a medium to convey the importance of speaking out bravely. She expressed, “I believe this world should belong to the brave. If we dare not confront this or that, it would be a pity to pass through this world without trying.”
Following the release of this news, the hashtag “#TaoXinran chokes up talking about being nearly assaulted at 9 years old” quickly trended on Weibo, though some criticized her for using it as a publicity stunt. In response, she posted a lengthy article on Weibo, defending herself: “Is trust among people in this world really that difficult? If it was solely for box office success, I wouldn’t have chosen a topic like ‘Between the Cracks’. I could have just worn the costume of An Lingrong every day to make money, which would have been faster and easier without bearing significant investment risks.”
Despite achieving fame from “Empresses in the Palace,” Tao Xinran chose to step back from the limelight at the peak of her career, causing confusion among netizens. It was only recently revealed on a reality show that she took a hiatus to care for her sick mother. Now, returning as the lead actress and producer, she has garnered encouragement from many fans.