By EMILY WANG
Associated Press
SHANGHAI (AP) — Gigi Hadid and Katy Perry didn’t make it but the Victoria’s Secret show in Shanghai managed to strut on Nov. 20 without them, surviving a controversy over visa issues and a model who slipped and fell during the show.
Fifty-five models walked the catwalk inside the Mercedes-Benz Arena, serenaded by Harry Styles, R&B star Miguel, Tony Award-winner Leslie Odom Jr. and Chinese singer Jane Zhang. Styles sang “Only Angel” and later “Kiwi.”
Chinese media reported that Hadid and Perry were denied visas.
Hadid said in a post last week on her Twitter account: “I’m so bummed I won’t be able to make it to China this year. Love my VS family, and will be with all my girls in spirit!!”
Hadid did not give a reason and Victoria’s Secret refused to comment on the issue.
Bella Hadid, Gigi’s sister, appeared in the second act of the show, donning blue feather wings, a black high-neck, push-up bra and topped off with hand painted leather gloves.
In a show segment titled “Goddess,” Victoria’s Secret models donned massive floor-sweeping silk wings with gold and silver sequined lingerie — and plenty of bling.
Model Lais Ribeiro was charged with the task of carrying 300 carats down the catwalk while sporting the Champagne Nights Fantasy Bra studded with 6,000 gemstones.
Designed by Mouawad, organizers said the bra valued at $2 million took nearly 350 hours to create. It features diamonds, yellow sapphires and blue topaz.
The show ended with a tribute to lingerie designs based on various ethnic and native origins — with models donning rainbow colored feathers and beaded jewelry.
Shanghai-native Ming Xi slipped and fell to her knees, saying afterward she felt “so disappointed with myself.” A nearby model helped her up and she said many of the others asked if she was OK. “That’s what Victoria’s Secret is — everyone loves each other and we have the most beautiful family in the world.”
In addition to Hadid, Xi and Ribeiro, the models included Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, Karlie Kloss, Lily Aldridge, Elsa Hosk, Jasmine Tookes, Taylor Hill, and Martha Hunt.
Hadid and Perry were scheduled to take part but bowed out just days before the show.
Hadid’s no-show came a few months after a video of her triggered an outpouring of criticism on Chinese social networks. It showed Hadid squinting in a way that appeared to be a reference to a stereotype about Asian facial features.
Hadid responded by apologizing in September on China’s popular Twitter-like microblog site, Weibo. “I have learned to be very careful of how my actions can come off or be portrayed, and I’m hopeful you’ll accept my apology,” the post said.
Observers said Perry caused some controversy in China in 2015 for wearing a sunflower-adorned dress while performing in Taiwan. The flower is an emblem of the island’s anti-China movement.
It is not uncommon for entertainers to be denied visas by Chinese authorities for political reasons.
The Global Times, an official newspaper of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, published a commentary on Nov. 20 titled “Victoria’s Secret models’ visa denial is of their own making.”
The story named Hadid and Perry and said celebrities who want a piece of the booming Chinese market need to respect what it said were Chinese values.
“They are lifting a stone only to drop on their own feet due to their ignorance of these issues. Payback was unavoidable.
Those who are serious about developing careers in the Chinese market can draw lessons from this case and learn to abide by the rules in China,” the newspaper said.
It is not uncommon for entertainers and performers to be denied visas by Chinese authorities for political reasons.
Most recently, as tensions rose between China and South Korea over a U.S. missile defense system, some K-pop and K-drama stars had to cancel widely anticipated visits to China due to visa delays.
South Korean actor Ha Jung Woo could not get a visa needed for a movie project with China called “The Mask,” starring Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi.
Why loose time waiting for two months or maybe more before an authorized copy will be released.
News headlines, excessive coverage and internet streaming news sites have certainly become
a crucial strategy from the world wide media to attract the public’s attention. Thus, how’s that
for a sign that newspapers will shift their budget
for their internet visibility in future.
The antioxidant is vitamin C, removes poisons and, in this way, may serve as “antibacterial”.
Listed below are some tools and operations used by cosmetic dentists.
Sometimes to leave dental surgeries or drilling of teeth they conceal pain or just avoid planning to dentist clinic or hospital.
Most of times you wouldn’t really connect noise cancelling headphones keeping
the car safe concerns. Whether you wish to look like an operator or perhaps a individual who predicts
himself or herself, it doesn’t really matter as long as you are satisfied while using quality of your
Bluetooth headphones. This is because cinemas today too are using more realistic surround audio technology.
Most stores have a simply system of choosing the size and
colour from the clothes. A low priced and sexy approach to add spice
to your underwear drawer having to break the bank. For them undergarments
aren’t limited to simple bras and panties to be tucked within the dress.