On November 26, 2024, Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming’s new movie “The Wig Wearer” was released on November 16th, but disappointed at the box office. It was quietly removed from theaters on the 24th after only 9 days of screening. Data shows that the film only grossed 4.1 million yuan, falling short of the initial projection of 6 million yuan. With an investment of over 100 million yuan, the movie may struggle to break even.
Huang Xiaoming, who divorced from Angelababy over two years ago, publicly announced his relationship with internet celebrity Ye Ke in September, sparking controversy. Ye Ke had multiple incidents of inappropriate remarks during live streams, offending Taiwanese singers such as Wu Bai and David Tao. Additionally, details of her past conflicts with her ex-husband surfaced online. Under public pressure, Ye Ke announced her withdrawal from internet live broadcasts.
To prevent any impact on the box office performance of his new movie, Huang Xiaoming addressed the controversy surrounding his girlfriend Ye Ke during promotional events. He even apologized with tears and bowed for nearly half a minute. It was noted that he was advised by the crew to stand up during the apology, expressing fear that the controversies surrounding his girlfriend might “delay the film.” He emphasized the need for support and assured that he would handle his personal affairs properly.
“The Wig Wearer” is classified as a suspense film, telling the story of Meng Zhong, a college graduate who failed the bar exam three times (played by Huang Xiaoming), releasing his long-suppressed frustration and anger on a drunken man one rainy night. As time passes, Meng Zhong evolves from a disillusioned young man to a respected public interest lawyer. Behind him, there is always a mysterious figure silently observing his every move.
It was reported earlier that Huang Xiaoming lost 15 kilograms for the role in “The Wig Wearer,” leaving some health consequences such as occasional heart palpitations and gastrointestinal discomfort. Images of Huang Xiaoming in the film revealed a stark contrast to his usual appearance, looking emaciated with sunken cheeks and scruffy facial hair.
Despite the sacrifices made for the movie, including pulling his own hair during promotional events to dispel rumors of wearing wigs for years, the film only brought in 4.1 million yuan in total box office revenue within 7 days. Due to the poor box office performance, the film was quietly removed from theaters on the 24th.
While various factors affect the current Chinese film market, some netizens associate the failure of “The Wig Wearer” at the box office with the public controversies involving Huang Xiaoming’s internet celebrity girlfriend Ye Ke. They believe Huang Xiaoming’s recent scandals have significantly damaged his likability and interest in watching his films.
Recently, a netizen encountered Huang Xiaoming on a high-speed train and shared a photo of the two together. In the picture, Huang Xiaoming appeared noticeably exhausted. It’s uncertain whether this was due to his busy schedule of movie promotions or the recent controversies surrounding him.
In recent years, Huang Xiaoming’s box office appeal has noticeably declined compared to his earlier hits like “The Grand Master,” “Shanghai Bund,” and “Dearest.” His recent works like “Rose War” have received mixed reviews and average popularity.