It is difficult to attain internet stardom in China’s social media because after becoming famous, a local celebrity becomes the target of China’s censor. One such case is Papi Jiang, a graduate of the Central Academy of Drama whose homemade videos became viral on Sina Weibo, China’s most popular microblogging site.
However, on Monday, Papi was reprimanded by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) for use of vulgar language and content, reported What’s on Weibo. As a result, her videos were removed on Saturday from all Chinese online video platforms, although it is still available on Google-owned YouTube.
Papi uses swear words in her videos such as the Chinese equivalent of f**k and s**t. But she often uses these words as an alternative pronunciation or silences the sound but keeps the subtitle to outwit the censor.
Following the reprimand, Papi said that she would be more careful with the words and images she uses on her videos which have a large following, reported BBC. On Yoiku channel, her videos have about 100 million hits, while in Weibo she has about 11 million followers.
Papi’s fame has definitely gone beyond 15 minutes that she not only makes record as the first internet sensation in China to receive funding from private investors of almost $2 million. She now has caught the attention of the SAPPRFT for her language, even if in the choice of topics, Papi does not touch sociopolitical issues or other sensitive topics.
The agency stated that it had disciplined and corrected Papi. In return, the internet star said in a statement she posted on Weibo, “As a self-made media figure, I would also be more careful of my words and image, resolutely responding to requests to corrections in internet clips, and broadcast positive energy for everyone.”