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Blatchford: The fake voice of an angel

cblatchford, August 12, 2008 at 5:51 AM EST

Globe readers will know now that while I adored much about the opening ceremonies –the fireworks, the pageantry, those drums -- my cynicism got the best of me in the end.

What they couldn't know is that I had a thought even too cynical to voice, or write.

It was when that astonishingly cute little pigtailed girl in the red party dress was singing a patriotic song called Ode to the Motherland. I was in the Bird's Nest, which for journalists is also equipped with work tables in the seats, and small TVs to monitor the broadcast. As I watched her on my screen, I thought the words she was mouthing seemed out of whack with the words I was hearing.

But I don't know Mandarin of course – for all I know this is how it was supposed to look and sound – and dismissed my suspicions as merely unworthy and the product of my latent Reductive Orientalism.

Well if it doesn't turn out the little doll was lip-synching after all.

Agence France Presse reports today that she is one Lin Miaoke.

But the real singer was one Yang Peiji, who sadly, didn't make the cuteness cut because she has a chubby face and uneven teeth, though a voice like an angel.

Yang, as the Fool's Mountain blog reveals, is nine, and cute as a bug herself. The blog has a picture of her, with a pink flower barrette in her hair.

“We were thinking about what was best for the nation,” Chen Qigang, the general music director of the ceremony, said in all apparent seriousness an interview with a state broadcaster.

“The reason why little Yang was not chosen to appear was because we wanted to project the right image,” Chen said in the interview, which lived but briefly on the popular news website Sina.com on Tuesday before it was wiped from the Internet.

“The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feelings, and expression,” Chen said. “Lin is excellent in those aspects.

“But in terms of voice, Yang is perfect.”

Best for the nation how exactly? Break one little girl's heart, teach another that fakery is okay, and pull the wool over the eyes of the vast motherland. Bet mother is not impressed with the news of the fraud getting out.

  1. E W from Canada writes: Wow, way to mess with little girls' heads, China. Bad enough they live in a society where boys are openly more valued.
  2. Brad B from Canada writes: Why the big fuss? Like something like this hasn't happened in previous games? I'm sure it has. I'm really getting tired of all this 'let's pick on China' attitude. When you point a finger you have three other fingers pointing right back at you.

    And most of the countries raising human rights concerns have nothing to brag about themselves.
  3. Raz Matazz from Canada writes: In related breaking news, Li Ning wasn't actually running around the upper circle of the stadium; he was being flown by a wire. Uh, hello, the ceremonies were clearly THEATRE. It's about the show, Christie.... it's about the SHOW! Frankly - if I were a tiny, not-so attractive, little-known girl whose voice, alone, were broadcast - featured - to a gazillion people worldwide, it might just be the highlight of my life. And, of cultural note, one would best give face to the proud Chinese than shatter it over an insignificant detail such as this. duh.
  4. Roger That from Canada writes: Thank you Brad ... someone is (Finally!) sticking up for China. We all know that any criticism of the Olympics is illegitimate and hypocritical. China is only concerned about sports, not politics. Definitely not political. Did someone say this was political? It is not political! The choice of 'singer' was about projecting the 'correct image for the nation,' NOT POLITICS. Why must everyone pick on China?! China is the #1 country!*

    *     Please note: not a political statement.
  5. Raz Matazz from Canada writes: Roger That -> *and 2010 is hosted by BC, 'the best place on earth.' Hubris knows no bounds...
  6. Web Surfer from Canada writes: So now performance enhancement in the Olympics has spread to the opening ceremonies.
  7. Roger That from Canada writes: Good point Raz ... but does that mean we can't criticize 2010 either? Can you imagine the outraged public response if the director of the Vancouver games does as Chen Qigang describes* (*before the statement 'was wiped from the Internet'). I will bet you 3 gold medals that most comments would not be 'Why are they picking on Canada?', or 'they are just jealous of the Vancouver opening ceremonies,' or 'Canada is different ... how dare you criticize it if you haven't been there!' This is leaving aside the argument that we should embrace authenticity on its own merits, and reject fakery meant to approach some idea of perfection (see: airbrushed magazine covers; performance-enhancing drugs; cosmetic surgery).

    This decision was wrong. It doesn't make it right to point to out indiscretions elsewhere.
  8. Michael Soft from Outerspace, Canada writes: Oh my god...The 'She' is back to spam the threads again!

    As for an angel of fake voice, I need to point out that angels were supposed to be all males. Read Bible please! All angels were males! There were no female angels. When had the angels undergone gender surgery?
  9. kyle phillips from Canada writes: the inanity of this comments section apparently knows no bounds. 'china is great! how dare you criticize china'....'china is bloodthirsty'...'angel gender must be acknowledged'....how about commenting on christie blatchford's article?

    i'll give it a shot...while i'm sure that little yang peiji would have been thrilled and honoured to have her voice broadcast to the world, i'm equally sure being told that, at the last minute, after spending god knows how many hours rehearsing, her family, friends waiting to see her perform in front of hundreds of millions, that she's out because her teeth are crooked and her face is chubby, she might be more than a little disappointed.

    perhaps this is the type of 'attention to detail' that some equate with greatness but to many, this type of decision crystallizes what is so hollow about claims of greatness made by the chinese government.
  10. Bernard Chan from Thornhill, Canada writes: Thank you Kyle Phillips...

    One thing to consider: Yang Peiji may have been hurt by the comments on her appearance, but she may also have been honoured that she was told her voice was perfect.

    Apart from that, what I find disturbing is that the Beijing organizers / bureaucrats in China don't even realize how wrong / dishonest this type of decision is.

    Claims that other performers (in the West as well as at other Olympic Games) regularly lip-synch their performances are not valid, because those performers lip-synch their OWN voices. This was a move made specifically and solely for the purpose of appearances - a facade, much like the rest of China??
  11. Springfire From ShenZheng from China writes: Guys, a minor correction: the decision is by the director of the show, Mr. Zhang Yi-Mou. He is commissioned by Beijing Olympic Committee to direct the show.

    Chinese government bashers, please bash Chinese government in a convincing manner. Otherwise, you automatically lost your credibility. Thanks.
  12. Joe Straw from Canada writes: Well, please take it with a grain of salt when the music director said this was for the 'nation's interest'.

    These people wants to put up a show. Blame the show all you want. Tired of hearing anything is by the 'Chinese people' or the 'Chinese government'. Some even said it was decided by a politburo member...
    sigh... like these folks have unlimited time in deciding such little things.

    No wonder there is a saying of something like... 'attitude is everything'. I think the writer's attitude does show, heh
  13. Just In from Canada writes: They say imitation is the best form of flattery. Well, the Chinese have been imitating so much American culture icons like big mac, pizza hut, KFC etc that one day you might just see a Chinese replay of wardrobe malfunction at the Superbowl half-time show. So Christie is right of course, the glamor, fame seeking little girl or her parents or the organizers or the politburo should be fined half a million dollars for such mischief in order to uphold journalistic integrity.
  14. Cathay C from Edmonton, Canada writes: Springfire From ShenZheng from China writes: Guys, a minor correction: the decision is by the director of the show, Mr. Zhang Yi-Mou. He is commissioned by Beijing Olympic Committee to direct the show.

    Chinese government bashers, please bash Chinese government in a convincing manner. Otherwise, you automatically lost your credibility. Thanks.

    ------------------------------------------
    Ok it is not Chinese government. It is a display of culture of dishonesty. Are you happy now?
  15. Just In from Canada writes: OTOH if either one of the duo who stood on top of the globe lip synched I would be very disappointed. Perhaps some one could check the video?
  16. Illwind Hot Air from Canada writes: Who cares? I am Chinese and I own several fake Rolexes!

    The person who chose the pretty little Chinese girl said that it was in the nation's best interests - Chinese people are very concerned about 'face' and saving it.

    Looks like a lot of egg foo young in the Chinese Government's face this time.

    And it looks good on them too.
  17. Tour de France from Canada writes: Blatchford.

    You've got to try harder.

    I mean, come on. I mean, this is a bl--dy pageantry and people just need to relax and enjoy it.

    This is just pathetic. Its that taller weed syndrome and some Canadians just cant wait to cut it down beacuse its taller. Please. Show some Canadian class.
  18. joseph Cheng from Toronto, Canada writes: For those who don't like lip-synch and feel cheated, why not do something about it and really rub the Chinese government's face on the floor! Why not launch a class-action suit and sue the Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee. Blatchford and her good friend York should head such a suit. While suing the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee, why not sue the CBC at the same time for televising a 'faked' show which had caused mental anger, brain damage and severe psychological depression as a result of Chinese trickery and deception.
  19. Miguel Batista from Toronto, Canada writes: Commenting on 'The fake voice of an angel' Funny enough, I had the same thought, that there was a lot of staging going on. Mine came as the camera was scanning the crowd and the arrangement of people who where making bird-like movements with their hands, looked planned and not spontaneous. From the Chineese perspective, the Olympics is a tremendous opportunity to project their country's brand. It is also their first opportunity of this caliber. They simply cannot be casual about anything. That is understandable. But really, what this all comes down to is the expectations and the support given to all people playing their different roles in the Olympics show, including the back-stage 'anonymous' singer, Yang. Chen Qigang, the general music director of the ceremony said: “The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feelings, and expression,” Chen said. “Lin is excellent in those aspects. “But in terms of voice, Yang is perfect.” Immoral, horrible, right? If we asked a media affairs person from one of our establishments to express the same message. It would have come out something like this: 'This was meant to be a two person act; a singer in the back and an actor at the front for visual effect and expression. Everyone shares in the credits, everyone is happy. This is normal. There are operations people. There are sales people. We all help each other to get ahead together.' .... said that way, all would be well :). Conclusion: We seldom have enough media information to pass judgement on almost anything; we just think we do. We need to do a better job understanding and trying to give people the benefit of the doubt. Ultimately we are all human.
  20. Ron Walker from Vancouver, Canada writes: It is questionable enough when an artist lip-synchs their own material without advance disclosure. Having someone else entirely different is misrepresentation and rather inappropriate considering the supposed spirit of the Olympic games. Saying that everyone else does it does not justify it. As someone else said, cheating has now spread from the competition to the opening ceremonies.
  21. Shadow of the Bear from Canada writes: 'BEAUTY IS TRUTH; TRUTH, BEAUTY'
  22. From Markham from Canada writes: There is one article which is worse than lip-syn news. The news article, Beware the iron hand behind the magic show, written by Christie Blatchford published on G&M last Saturday. That article is so outrageous! It is pretty degrading and hostile.
  23. Expert Eal from PetaOshaOttawawawawa and Wawa, Canada writes: Who cares????

    This is entertainment people!!

    It's not like they cheated a gold in the cute little singer event.

    IT'S ENTERTAINMENT!!!!!
  24. Bob G - from Hohhot, Canada writes: Disgraceful......but of course they never expected the truth to get out .....

    That pesky free press....
  25. Christopher Kiely from Canada writes: As I watched her on my screen, I thought the words she was mouthing seemed out of whack with the words I was hearing.
    _________________________________________________________

    Oh that's right Christie you suspected it was fake the whole time didn't you... Get over yourself.

    As for the anti/pro China debate that happens on here every time China is mentioned, anyone who has spent any time in the country knows that the issues that affect China are far too complicated to be summed up in a MB post.
  26. Richard E. Gower from Ottawa, Canada writes: Come on Ms Blatchford. One might expect it from some other journalists but you can do better. This kind of tripe just encourages virulent anti-Chinese sentiment. Show over substance. How is this different than what goes on every day in North America?
  27. joseph Cheng from Toronto, Canada writes: Ms Blatchford: Why don't you and your good friend Geoffrey York file a class action lawsuit on behalf of the people of the world against the Chinese Olympic Committee and the Chinese government for committing such an unforgivable crime of blatant trickery, disillusion and dishonesty which had caused brain damage, mental suffering and severe psychological depression. Perhaps, you can also demand China to compensate costs for visiting shrinks when all afflicted people return to their own countries and seek medical help!
  28. john smith from Canada writes: people are just jealous
    china is being honest and there is nothing dramatic about it
    two little girls shared the spotlight that milions will dream of
    what is wrong with that
    there is nothing wrong with it
    look at yourselves and what hypocrites you all are
  29. Ewa Ciuk from Toronto, Canada writes: That's acting folks!

    It happens all the time that people get cast in roles for their looks... I bet you there are hundreds of American kids out there who had their feelings hurt because they didn't get the role in the soup commercial; why isn't anyone standing up for their feelings. Cause that's like folks, not everyone is pretty enough to be on television (or so the producers say!)

    Though I agree that lipsynching the words is a little much, I'm pretty sure that happens in television all the time.

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