Tuesday, August 12, 2008

What is the world turning to?


Ah Ah...I have no words...Ah Ah
BEIJING, China (CNN) -- A little girl and her song captivated millions of viewers during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. But what they saw was not what they heard.

Lin Miaoke was the darling of the Olympic opening ceremony, but it turns out she was lip-syncing.

Games organizers confirm that Lin Miaoke, who performed "Ode to the Motherland" as China's flag was paraded Friday into Beijing's National Stadium, was not singing at all. Lin was lip-syncing to the sound of another girl, 7-year-old Yang Peiyi, who was heard but not seen, apparently because she was deemed not cute enough.

"The reason was for the national interest," said Chen Qigang, the ceremony's musical director, in a state radio interview. "The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feeling and expression. ... Lin Miaoke is excellent in those aspects."
The decision was made at the highest levels, Chen said.
"We had to do it," he said. "We'd been through several inspections. They're all very strict. When we rehearsed at the spot, there were several spectators from various divisions, especially leaders from the Politburo, who gave the opinion it must change." Few who watched the Olympic ceremony realized the deception. "Tiny singer wins heart of nation," read the headline in Tuesday's China Daily newspaper.
"Lin Miaoke might be only 9 years old but she is well on her way to becoming a star, thanks to her heartwarming performance," the article gushed -- without mentioning she never sang a note. But as word has gotten out on the Internet, some Chinese bloggers are outraged.
"If you're not good-looking, no matter how well you sing, you'll not be onstage. Do you know you're twisting a whole generation?" read one comment. Another said, "If foreigners found out, they'd think we can't even find a girl who is good at both."

As for Yang Peiyi, she's been quoted as saying she was honored to have had a role in the opening ceremony, even though few realized just how big her part really was

9 comments:

Jennifer A. said...

Wow. R u kidding me?

I was captivated by her voice too...not even knowing the underlying story...woahhh!

olusimeon said...

whatt deception...is it that hard to find some-one who combines both qualities in china..i guess they were not willing to organise kiddies chinnese idols....

Mamarita said...

I don't see what is wrong with it, the angel sounded like an angel, and they found a face to go with it. Its showbiz darling.
I was watching the news this morning and I think I heard them say something about what the Chinese folks did being wrong....Pissed me off royally and I'll tell you why. In North America, refuse it all you want but it is a known fact that LOOKS MATTER. Before Missy Elliot broke out, she used to write songs for stars when Raven Symone was younger she lip-synced for Missy Elliot, she was the face, Missy was the voice or some funny thing like that.
And I've seen many instances like that, some celebrities (NO NAMES O) sound worse than frogs yet when they "release their albums" they sound like angels, let me tell you, there's only so much technology did to hide the frog within....
In the words of the cheeky girls:
"Touch my bum, this is life..."

:)

Chxta said...

Don't see anything wrong with it either. Once attended a pop concert in these parts (Whinehouse), and she was lip syncing, so what are they complaining about?

Anonymous said...

first of all, i'm hurt that you've been around for so long and didnt even leave a hint. nothing!
*sob*

to the actual post: it is what it is. sad, but i guess they thut it necessary...

Buttercup said...

i read this on NDQ's blog...i was really apalled...

O'Dee said...

"she was honored to have had a role in the opening ceremony, even though few realized just how big her part really was"

Yeah right!
She must have been told what to say.

That said, it is media/showbiz. Tho it shouldn't be acceptable, it happens.

Chris Ogunlowo said...

It's unfair. How will the real singer feel when she knows the factors that disqualified her?

Mimi said...

cant believe u've been here all this while since march!!!!!!!!!! and i always go to ur old blog jus to chek if u've come bak :(

how r u?