Chinese actress Zhao Yingzi made headlines at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival after being escorted off the red carpet for reportedly violating the event’s dress code. The incident sparked debates online, with some fans suggesting she was removed for lingering too long and disrupting the event’s flow.
The 35-year-old actress arrived at the festival’s opening ceremony on May 14 in a silver sheer gown adorned with crystals and rhinestones. The dress featured a sheer bodice with intricate detailing and a high-slit skirt, creating a bold yet elegant look. However, festival organizers reportedly deemed it too revealing under their newly enforced “no exposure” policy .
Was the Dress the Only Issue?
While the official reason given was the dress code violation, many fans believe there was more to the story. Some speculated that Zhao Yingzi overstayed her time on the red carpet, posing excessively and blocking other attendees. Videos showed a staff member approaching her and guiding her away, leading to further discussions online .
“Zhao Yingzi’s dress wasn’t even that revealing compared to past Cannes outfits. Maybe she just took too many photos?” – one fan commented on Weibo .
“The staff looked annoyed. She was definitely holding up the line,” another netizen added .
Dari depan, wuih cakep nih kek princess. Pas balik badan "lhah, ini yg dipake Zhao Yingzi buat tutup kepala tu rok plisket?" 😂 pic.twitter.com/xugMsRdICu
Hours before the event, Zhao Yingzi posted on Weibo about a fashion emergency—she had spilled coffee on her original red jumpsuit. She asked fans for quick stain-removal tips, hinting that her final outfit was a last-minute replacement. Some critics accused her of staging the mishap for attention .
Cannes’ Stricter Dress Code for 2025
This year, the festival introduced tighter red carpet rules, banning overly revealing outfits and obstructive designs like long trains. The guidelines aimed to maintain “dignity and order” during events. Even fashion risk-takers like Bella Hadid opted for more conservative looks, signaling a shift in Cannes’ style expectations .
Zhao Yingzi’s Career Highlights
The actress rose to fame in Chinese dramas like The Legend of the Condor Heroes (2014) and The Legend of White Snake. Besides acting, she has also released music, contributing to soundtracks for her shows. Despite the Cannes controversy, her bold fashion choice still garnered praise from some fans .
Tom Cruise’s Red Carpet Moment
Around the same time, Tom Cruise and the Mission: Impossible cast broke Cannes’ no-selfie rule by taking group photos on the red carpet. Unlike Zhao Yingzi, they faced no consequences, with fans cheering their playful defiance .
Public Reactions and Double Standards?
The contrasting treatment of Zhao Yingzi and Hollywood stars like Cruise led to discussions about fairness in festival enforcement. Some argued that Cannes’ rules were applied inconsistently, while others defended the organizers’ right to maintain decorum .
As of now, the actress has not publicly addressed the incident. Whether it affects her future appearances at international events remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the debate over fashion freedom versus event regulations continues online.
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