The 2025 Tencent Video Starlight Awards in China concluded recently, but one star remained at the center of online discussions. Song Zu Er, affectionately known as China’s “National Little Sister”, was criticized for her alleged rude behavior towards other celebrities during the ceremony.
According to Sina, the controversy began when veteran actor Dan Jian Shu was giving his acceptance speech. Cameras reportedly caught Song Zu Er displaying a disdainful expression towards her, which many viewers interpreted as disrespect.
The criticism extended to her interaction with actress Zhao Lu Si. Video footage showed Song Zu Er initially smiling as Zhao passed by, but soon after, her expression reportedly turned sour, leading netizens to accuse her of giving her a hostile look.
Reactions on social media were swift and harsh, with many accusing the actress of disrespecting her peers. Some, however, defended her, suggesting that the expressions could be attributed to difficulty controlling facial emotions rather than true contempt.
Song Zu Er rose to fame as a child actress, adored for her role in the Lotus Lantern Prelude, earning her the endearing nickname of “National Little Sister” in China. He continued to shine in projects such as The prisoner of beauty AND The novel of the demon hunterbut his career was marked by multiple controversies.
In 2023, the company’s former staff accused it of evading taxes of around CNY45 million. It has also been linked to alleged involvement in clandestine financial activities.
Previously, Song Zu Er had been criticized for her perceived ungratefulness towards senior actress Xu Shuo, who had helped promote her early career. Furthermore, publicized incidents in which she appeared drunk in public, including tripping and kicking bystanders, further fueled her negative image.
