Successful Chinese Actress Fan Bingbing Reappears After Tax Evasion Scandal

Daisy Bolger, Staff Writer

Popular Chinese actress Fan Bingbing finally spoke out after months of absence from social media. It was rumored a leaked contract lead to her arrest, but there was no official confirmation until earlier this month.

The leaked agreement was supposedly a “ying-yang” contract, which as Variety’s Peter Frater describes, is when “double contracts are issued for the same work, but only the lower-value one is declared to tax authorities.” The Iron Man 3 actress went missing soon after her speculated tax evasion, and reports were confirmed when she posted an apology letter. She mentions that she is “deeply ashamed and feel guilty for what I have done, and I offer my sincere apologies to everyone.”

Reports have verified that Bingbing was held under “residential detention” since late June or early July. It is stated that she owes an astounding $129 million to the government for her unpaid taxes.
Fan Bingbing was also set to play a starring role in the upcoming movie “355”, but there is no confirmation on whether she will continue to be a part of the cast.

The Chinese government has begun to crack down on tax-evading stars, so hopefully Bingbing’s story sends a warning to other fan-favorites.