【Epoch Times, June 1, 2025】 Dubbed as “Little Zhao Liying,” 17-year-old mainland Chinese actress Huang Yangtian, recently found herself embroiled in a controversy surrounding her flaunting of a luxurious pair of earrings worth 2.3 million yuan (Chinese currency). This has led to a series of setbacks in her acting projects. Her completed new drama “Rebirth of the Ice Lake” is at risk of being taken down, and her upcoming project “Sparrow Bones,” originally set to star alongside Hou Minghao, is reportedly undergoing a swift casting change with actress Xiang Hanzhi replacing her.
Starting her career as a child star, Huang Yangtian gained popularity by portraying various young female leads in dramas like “The Legend of Chu Qiao,” “The Imperial Doctress,” and “Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace.” Her striking resemblance to A-list actress Zhao Liying earned her the nickname “Little Zhao Liying.” Her portrayal of the straightforward Li Wuniang in “Three Good Luck Clovers” recently skyrocketed her popularity. Despite her promising career trajectory, a recent incident at her school’s coming-of-age ceremony where she wore the expensive earrings sparked accusations of flaunting wealth, resulting in a steep decline in her popularity.
As the controversy escalated, netizens questioned the mismatch between the extravagant jewelry worn by Huang Yangtian and her status as a newcomer in the industry. The scrutiny extended to her family background, leading to revelations about her father, a former civil servant in Ya’an, Sichuan, being accused of corruption, and allegedly concealing the illegal birth of a second child (Huang Yangtian’s younger brother). While Huang Yangtian’s father and her agency vehemently denied the allegations, official investigations have been opened, shedding light on a series of corrupt officials behind previous instances of flaunting wealth in mainland China.
Recent reports indicate that the airing of “Rebirth of the Ice Lake,” which Huang Yangtian just wrapped filming in April with Li Yunrui, could be suspended. Similarly, the new drama “Sparrow Bones,” originally set to star Huang Yangtian alongside Hou Minghao, has now cast Xiang Hanzhi as the replacement lead. Rumors circulated online suggest that the reason for this change was Huang Yangtian’s “voluntary exit,” yet specific details remain undisclosed, leading to speculation about its link to the recent controversy.
It is worth noting that Xiang Hanzhi has indeed benefited from this unexpected opportunity since she has been idle for over eight months after completing filming for “The Turbulent Storm” with Wang Xingyue due to the downturn in the film and television industry. Taking on the female lead role in “Sparrow Bones” could be considered a stroke of luck for her. Without Huang Yangtian’s misstep, she might have continued waiting for new acting opportunities at home.
“Sparrow Bones” revolves around a legendary ancient theme, focusing on court intrigue and emotional entanglements. The plot follows Xie Jiayu, forced into a political marriage as a concubine in the Jing’an Prince’s Mansion, and her journey with the crown prince Xiao Wuyi from mutual distrust to shared growth. When rumors surfaced in early April of Hou Minghao and Huang Yangtian being cast as the leads, it was initially seen as a promising “fresh pairing.” Concerned fans have expressed worries, stating that while Huang Yangtian has not been officially labeled as a “tainted artist,” having her resources withdrawn and her works shelved amounts to a similar form of suppression and exclusion.