Would You Allow Your Child to Be Part of a Ruse?

August 12, 2008

One child was used for her looks, another for her melodic voice. Lin Miaoke, 9, performed "Ode to the Motherland" for a picture-perfect opening ceremony at the Olympics. Only the song did not emanate from her vocal cords, but those of 7-year-old Yang Peiyi. The switch-a-roo was pulled when officials deemed songbird Yang as not cute enough to command the stage.

While it's unclear if the children or their parents even knew about the ruse, would you let your tot take part in this type of charade?

17 Comments

Ericka 4 years 40 weeks

It's so horrible I feel bad for the little 7 year old! ------------------------------------------ From Dlisted: Chinese officials confirmed that they decided at the last minute to pull 7-year-old Yang Peiyi (on the right) from the opening ceremonies, because they felt her teeth were too wonky to represent their country. They replaced her with 9-year-old Lin Miaoke who lip-synched to Yang's voice. The ceremony's music director said, "The main consideration was the national interest. The child on the screen should be flawless in image, in her internal feelings and in her expression. When we had the dress rehearsals, there were spectators from various divisions, including above all a member of the politburo who gave us his verdict: we had to make the swap." Was Jeff Lewis from Flipping Out the musical director? Harsh! Peiye claims she wasn't upset after she was told she couldn't perform, "I am proud to have been chosen to sing at all." Peiye is way too nice. I would've sabotaged Miaoke by making the track skip! That way Miaoke would've just stood there, shrugged and danced a jig like Ashlee Simpson.

Ericka 4 years 40 weeks

It's so horrible I feel bad for the little 7 year old!------------------------------------------From Dlisted:Chinese officials confirmed that they decided at the last minute to pull 7-year-old Yang Peiyi (on the right) from the opening ceremonies, because they felt her teeth were too wonky to represent their country. They replaced her with 9-year-old Lin Miaoke who lip-synched to Yang's voice.The ceremony's music director said, "The main consideration was the national interest. The child on the screen should be flawless in image, in her internal feelings and in her expression. When we had the dress rehearsals, there were spectators from various divisions, including above all a member of the politburo who gave us his verdict: we had to make the swap." Was Jeff Lewis from Flipping Out the musical director? Harsh!Peiye claims she wasn't upset after she was told she couldn't perform, "I am proud to have been chosen to sing at all." Peiye is way too nice. I would've sabotaged Miaoke by making the track skip! That way Miaoke would've just stood there, shrugged and danced a jig like Ashlee Simpson.

kiwitwist 4 years 40 weeks

That is horrible

kiwitwist 4 years 40 weeks

That is horrible

skigurl 4 years 40 weeks

it would be pretty rough to be the poor kid who wasn't cute enough. but the other kid, who cares? she was cute, and probably wasn't a singer.

bigestivediscuit 4 years 40 weeks

Erm, I'm not sure if it has so much to do with "communist China" as certain values of the Chinese culture.

Shopaholichunny 4 years 40 weeks

I'm not suprised since it is Communist China. :oy: I'm sure they didn't even have a choice.

TheEnchantedOne 4 years 40 weeks

No, talk about kicking down their self-esteem. Sheesh. I really couldn't judge the parents though, as Twinkle mentioned, consider where they live and what it's like for them.

TheEnchantedOne 4 years 40 weeks

No, talk about kicking down their self-esteem. Sheesh. I really couldn't judge the parents though, as Twinkle mentioned, consider where they live and what it's like for them.

cottonpoots 4 years 40 weeks

That's just sad, and the answer is definitely not. There are plenty of talented singers in the US who may not be so attractive, but what they are able to do is worth so much more. Bummer.