Resurfaced speech of Chinese actress and feminist icon: "Sexy is acceptable, but avoid objectification"
Liu Yan Speaks Out Against Objectification in Chinese Entertainment Industry
Liu Yan, a renowned Chinese television host and actress, is currently making headlines for her feminist views and criticisms of the entertainment industry's treatment of women.
Born in 1977, Liu Yan started her career as a model at the age of 17 and left her nursing job to pursue a career in modeling. She gained recognition and rose to fame, winning a major television host contest in 2005, and has been active in the industry ever since.
Despite her success, Liu Yan has faced challenges in the industry, particularly regarding sexual expression and objectification. In an interview from 2016, which has recently gone viral, Liu Yan discussed her views on these issues. She stated, "I think being sexy is fine but objectification is not. The question is, do our times allow actresses, or women, to be sluts? I do not think I am allowed to be too sexy in these times. I do not want to be a woman that everyone thinks it is OK to harass."
Liu Yan's views were shaped in part by a sexist incident that occurred in March 2016 at Bao Beier's wedding in Bali, Indonesia. During the wedding, Liu Yan was carried and nearly thrown into a pool by several groomsmen, despite her screaming protests. The viral video of the incident sparked public discourse on women's rights and highlighted the objectification and disrespect faced by women in entertainment, especially those recognized as sex symbols. Liu Yan was targeted specifically because of her sexy image, which exemplified the problem of objectification she critiques.
In the interview, Liu Yan also expressed concern about the objectification of women in the entertainment industry. She believes that current times do not allow actresses or women to be overly sexual without facing harassment. Liu Yan views being sexy as acceptable but firmly opposes the objectification of women. She said, "I want to be a woman who is respected, not just a sex symbol."
Liu Yan's advocacy for respect and dignity toward women has earned her plaudits and recognition as a feminist. Her stance on how the industry and society police women's bodies and sexuality reflects a growing movement towards greater gender equality in China.
References: [1] Li, X. (2016, March 1). Liu Yan Carried and Thrown into Pool at Wedding in Bali. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1910523/liu-yan-carried-thrown-pool-bao-beiers-wedding-bali
[2] Wang, Y. (2016, March 2). Liu Yan Speaks Out Against Objectification in Chinese Entertainment Industry. Retrieved from https://www.thebeijinger.com/en/2016/03/02/liu-yan-speaks-out-against-objectification-in-chinese-entertainment-industry
In her recent interview, Liu Yan, a Chinese television host and actress, criticized the objectification of women in the entertainment industry and expressed her desire to be a woman recognized for respect, not just as a sex symbol. Furthermore, Liu Yan thinks that social-media platforms could play a crucial role in advocating for business practices that prioritize the dignity and respect of women, thereby helping to combat objectification in the entertainment industry and beyond.
