Jessica Hsuan On the 7 Deadly Sins of Filming in Mainland China
Always possessing “a fire,” Jessica Hsuan (宣萱) was accused of acting like a diva earlier. Yesterday, Jess issued a public statement denying the allegations, while listing the seven sins of the mainland crew she was currently working with: manipulating fans, forcing attendance at various dinners, paying late wages, etc. Due to Jessica’s absence from the mainland drama’s promotional event earlier, co-star Wang Zhaoxiang (王兆祥) referred to her as, a “Big Star,” hinting at Jessica’s strong and domineering personality. In her statement, Jessica fired back, noting that some people were two-faced. In an interview with Oriental Daily, Jessica exclaimed, “I have a clear conscience!”
Filming with mainland actor, Wang Zhaoxiang and Lawrence Ng (吳啟華) in mainland drama Xiang Zhi’s Story of the New Capital Market <祥子的故事之新都巿人>, Jessica was accused to be uncooperative with publicity efforts and acting like a diva when she did not appear for a promotional event for the new series. Wang Zhaoxiang thus referred to Jessica as a “Big Star” and noted her domineering ways, even recommending her to marry a man from Shanghai, who would not possess any temper! Zhaoxiang’s words were embedded with sarcasm, thus fueling Jessica’s anger even further!
Innocent and Possessing a Clear Conscience
Possessing a blunt personality, Jessica stated in her public statement, “This has been the first time so many problems have occurred in filming a series. I do not want to be used by other people to generate publicity. I am not scolding in anger, but I do not want to be accused of something I did not do. This will be the only time I will respond over the matter.”
Jessica also exposed the “7 deadly sins” of the filming crew: (1) manipulating fans; (2) forcing attendance at dinners; (3) stampeding a rental site; (4) paying late wages; (5) tragically ignored; (6) continuous lying; and (7) harassment of family members.
In her statement, Jessica exposed that without her knowledge of the situation, fans were lured to attend a press conference, upon which they were asked to hold the name posters of other celebrities.
Jessica was also asked to attend dinners of unknown origins, making her feel deeply disrespected. Returning to Hong Kong from Shanghai the day before, Jessica was still agitated, “Over the last 2 months, I did not even receive the the most basic respect! There were so many unnecessary dinners; I refused to go. The crew contacted fans privately to visit the set. Afterward, the fans told me that they were forced to hold the name signs of other celebrities, making them feel very uneasy!”
Regarding the frequent dinners, Jessica criticized the crew for an endless stream of unreasonable demands. Coupled with a serious amount of overtime work, this made her intolerant. Jessica said, “I said I did not want to do overtime and they were not happy. They completely disregarded my feelings. Anyway, they cannot force me to do something against my wishes!”
Since the producers for Xiang Zhi’s Story of the New Capital Market were Wang Zhaoxiang and his wife, Mrs. Wang, this presented additional problems. Jessica noted, “I simply wish to film a series. Since accusations were tossed at me, which affected my reputation, I had to issue a statement for clarification purposes! I do not intend to follow up with legal action. I will consider it to be a learning experience.” Jessica indicated that she got along well with other mainland crews, “I am not concerned that this will affect other people’s confidence in me. I have a clear conscience!”
Mrs. Wong Suspected Someone Was Interfering
Referred to as a “Big Star,” Jessica indicated in her statement, “How can I be a ‘Big Star’? I am just a ‘green leaf’ [adornment]. Some people are so pompous I can not measure up to their level!” Jessica revealed that some actor(s) did not bring their script to the set and had to be urged several times before appearing in front of the camera for filming. They completely changed their demeanor in the presence of reporters.
Jessica also complained that her mother was harassed, “One time, my mother came to visit me on set in Shanghai. My filming was halted since the payment of wages was late. My mother went to the bank with Mrs. Wang to receive the transfer of funds. In my absence, Mrs. Wang asked for my mother’s phone number. My mother gave her the number in a moment when she was off guard. When i was absent from the promotional event yesterday, she repeatedly called my mother. When I asked why she kept bothering my mother, she said that my mother gave her the phone number. There are so many lies which run in an endless stream!”
Regarding Wang Zhaoxiang and his wife, Mrs. Wang’s conduct, Xiang Zhi’s Story of the New Capital Market investor, Mrs. Li Jiayi, was in Hong Kong yesterday. Through reporters, Mrs. Li learned of Jessica’s public statement countering the crew and Wang Zhaoxiang. The pregnant Mrs. Li sighed, “I feel very sad. There must be a big misunderstanding in all this! I have little contact with Jessica, but I hope to talk to her quietly.” Mrs. suspected that there was someone who was interfering.
Source: Oriental Daily
Jayne: The working situation sounds very unpleasant for Jessica. I guess next time, she needs to meet with the people in charge for a lengthy period and ask other people about the crew/producer reputation before signing a filming commitment.
Next time she needs to really put her all terms on papers or for China, just hire another HK actress.
Some don’t need to be on papers Funn. A good person:
1.won’t manipulate fans of other artist,
2.won’t use someone’s name (in this case, to rent a site) without informing him/her,
3.and will give respect ( a big star or not, everyone is entitled of respect)
Simple ethics.
I notice fans often visits sets for China productions and they seem happy to do so. I think this is mainly for publicity, and free publicity. They do what they must to promote the show. But yes respect should be given, however stars are obligated to attend certain functions, whether or not in the contract. If Jess is very wary of these, she should make it clear, how many dinners, with who, size of trailer, hours of resting time, filming time, etc. China is nortorious for ignoring the filming time schedule and even big actors do feel reluctant to just walk out since frankly only Hollywood stars seem to think they’re above everyone else.
Point is, this is business. Nothing about good person, bad person but contractual and how diva you want to be to enforce all these terms. Plus point is being difficult you get your way, bad point is all these diva accusations. The main point is you have got to be a big star to enforce all that. AT LEAST they’re not TVB, forcing a girl unfamiliar with a road to drive and then causing major accident and still forcing traumatised young starlets to continue filming.
Let me post Jessica’s rebuttal to all those allegations:
Among all the series I have filmed, I had the most problems with this one. I don’t want to be taken advantage of others for publicity nor am I scolding anyone. I’m just not willing to be accused, so I could only respond this one time:
(1) As far as I know, someone enticed my fans to attend the first press conference. When my fans got to the scene, they insisted to my fans that they should hold up pre-made signboards with his name and pretend to be his fans.
(2) During the filming period, he asked me to attend some unknown dinner parties, but I did not agree to go. (I’m not sure if this involves immoral actions).
(3) Without my consent, they used my name to rent the filming location and promised the other party that I would take pictures in exchange. (Because of the above two situations, I have was called ‘not accommodating to promotions, unwilling to take photos.’)
(4) I didn’t receive my final payment for the shoot and so stopped working. Still, they said I was wrong and that I have to compensate them.
(5) When the other actors asked when the final shooting date is, they answered quickly, but when I asked several times, I was ignored.
(6) Not even two days before the end-of-filming press conference (celebration event), they quietly placed the press conference notice in my room (they did not directly notify me), but it is clearly written on the contract that during the contract period, if I were to attend a press conference, I must have a written consent. However, once again they were being dishonest, making me feel very uneasy, I can no longer tolerate it!
In the eyes of some self-centered people, how am I a Big Star? I’m just a green leaf. Some people have such big attitudes, that I cannot react to. Each day, they don’t bring the script with them to the set, and would forget their lines! For the shooting of every scene, they have to be called several times before they slowly walk out of the lobby! However, each time when there are reporters around, the situation won’t be the same!
During the past two months or so, there had been so many issues. The staff on the set totally understand and justice is in the people’ hearts. Saying I’m ‘strong’, then why not just say I’m a pitiful girl that is getting bullied. I am alone out working away from my home, and have been deceived several times. Other people who want to achieve their goals, make up countless amount of lies and the most hateful thing to do is that they even disturb my family. I was disrespected before, my dignity was trampled, I’m already exhausted both mentally and physically, but still have to maintain the professionalism of an artist. Now that this contract is completed, it has been a lesson learned, I will be more cautious in the future and carefully choose my jobs.
Lastly, please do not use these tactics and use me to get publicity, please!
Jessica was also asked to attend dinners of unknown origins, making her feel deeply disrespected—I won’t go to a dinner party I knew nothing about either!!!
I don’t think Jess breached the contract nor acted like a diva. Our society has come to the point where things such as insisting on being punctual, protecting oneself from being taken advantage of are reasons for you to get labeled as “hard to work with”. *tsk*
So the grass is not always greener on the other side. Maybe Jessica will come back to tvb afterall.
But I’m glad Jess spoke up for herself. I wonder if part of the conflict is that men in China expect women to be obedient. They aren’t used to a spitfire like Jess who isn’t afraid to talk back. What that Wang guy said about her marrying a shanghai guy, shows that he’s sexist and disrespectful.
so true, this wang guy is definitely some typical china man who want his women to be obedient especially to him!
btw, I’m glad that jess spoke out all these displeasant encounters..we didnt get to read this often from hk actress/actor who’re working in mainland since they didn’t want their ex-company to know their hard time with new company
I agree. I’m glad she said something.
I read another article about Jessica’s statement. They listed the “7 deadly sins” in more details. After reading it, I don’t think Jessica is being unreasonable. She said she was disrespected many times. She seems really angry and I think Jessica is more careful from now on, choosing her future filming projects.
poor jessica. i love an outspoken person.
Now she will be blacklisted and have to crawl back to the sinking ship TVB, LOL
Dont worry, I think under her fame, Jessica will not worry about anything.
why will she be blacklisted? Jess didn’t do anything wrong. And besides, there are many companies in China. And why would she have to crawl?! hmp!
I believe Jessica’s words in this case. But, I also think not all Mainland film companies are like this. There are all kinds of film companies in Mainland like Sheren said in interview last time. Some are good, some are bad. Artists going to Mainland to work just need to be careful.
@Kidd,
Maybe it’s just me, I always think China has so many ppl and they ought to have this “mentality” of cheating.. but of course not many are like that..
Actually there are some other China guys who worked with Jessica in Hengdian who rebutted the claim that Jessica is hard to work with, and that when she was with their film crew, there were no problems at all. It seems that Jessica needs to choose her series more carefully, and only work with high quality, reputable companies in China, not just any other series simply because the wages are high. In China, there are so many series made every year, and only about 2/10 are watchable. This series just seems dodgy from the start, as it seems that it’s supposed to promote that guy Xiang Zi and his family, as the investor is his wife, and his daughter is acting as Jessica’s daughter, and he’s the main lead when Jessica and Lawrence are much more popular than him.
Earlier I’ve visited his weibo, and he had a post that even said with everyone scolding him, he can become popular, but the post has now been deleted. It’s pretty obvious this jerk is trying to make use of Jessica to stir up news, as her name is more well-known than him.
to Jayne: I think you should translate Jessica’s statement. It will be clear and everyone will not misunderstand Jessica.
Alec,
“to Jayne: I think you should translate Jessica’s statement. It will be clear and everyone will not misunderstand Jessica.”
Due to time constraints, I will not be translating Jessica’s statement. Langga did a very good job providing additional details of what happened.
I think everyone is clear on the situation and no one misunderstood Jessica.
This sounds like a scary story for HongKong actors and actresses who want to go to Mainland. The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence, heh?
It’s good that this story was uncovered. We all hear how much HongKong actors/actresses earned in Mainland and thought it was heaven for them. Now we know it’s just another place outside of HK.
Love Jessica for her bluntness and straightforwardness. That’s why everyone is supporting her. Be more careful next time, Jess!!!
Reading those accusations of Wang Zhaoxiang really made me angry!
I’m glad that Ada, Macy, Felix Wong, Michael Tse, Hacken Lee are supporting Jessica on this.
@Cherryl,
Where did you read that Ada, Macy, Felix, Michael and hacken stood up for Jessica? I’d like to read that article too.
You can check their weibo to see their supports to Jessica. Monica Chan, Ben Wong and Michael Tse also do the same thing.
Thanks Alec,
But I’m not able to access to weibo neither do I understand chinese, so it’s ok
Hi Veejay,
You may wish to visit this link and scroll down to the comments where you can see one user listed down the various artists on weibo who expressed their support to Jessica. http://asianfanatics.net/forum/topic/765026-jessica-hsuan-rumored-hard-to-deal-with-lawrence-ng-which-actress-isnt/
I’m glad that Jessica spoke up. She obviously tried to keep it professional by not badmouthing anyone, but had to say something when the first article came out accusing her of being hard to get along with. They’re probably not used to a woman speaking up for herself. Good for her!
Go Jessica!! She handled this very well!! We support you!
I think Jessica is telling the truth. Jessica came to Singapore to film a few local productions without any problems.
After all the reports of TVB artists leaving the company to film in China because of better treatment, better working hours, better wages etc., it is refreshing to see the ‘other side’ of filming in China. There’s always two sides to a coin.
poor jessica, i hope she will not encounter these kinds of problem and that guy using her fans to hold the boards and pretend to be his fans. thats a NO NO. if i was in there, i would hit that guy’s head and say FUC* YOU. sorry jayne if there are censored words but i had to say it. I SUPPORT YOU JESSICA, I THINK WE ALL DO!!!!
i believe her. she’s been to Singapore to film at least twice and i’ve never heard a single bad word about her.
I respect Jessica! She’s great!
i like characters like Jessica, not pretentious