The latest season of China’s hit survival show Sisters Who Make Waves has entered its final stages, but the spotlight is no longer on the performances. Instead, controversy has erupted off-stage following serious allegations made by contestant Zhao Ziqi.
Zhao Ziqi, who was eliminated after the first performance round, has ignited intense online debate after publicly criticizing the production team during a livestream. While her early exit already surprised many viewers, her post-show statements quickly escalated the situation into a full-blown controversy.
She claimed that immediately after her elimination, she was not allowed to return to the waiting room to collect her belongings or properly adjust her appearance. According to her account, she was also required to continue wearing a microphone while filming exit footage, a situation she described as humiliating and emotionally distressing.
Zhao Ziqi stated that the experience left her feeling disrespected and “deeply hurt,” later declaring that she would permanently distance herself from the program.
The most explosive accusation, however, concerns the show’s editing process. Zhao Ziqi alleged that producers deliberately manipulated footage to create misleading narratives, including a fabricated argument involving her and fellow contestant Zhang Huiwen after she had already left the stage.
She accused the production team of “distorting reality” and “putting words into her mouth,” suggesting that the edited version of events damaged her public image and misrepresented her personality.
These claims have fueled ongoing discussions about the ethics of reality show production in China, particularly regarding editing practices and narrative control.
Refusing to stay silent, Zhao Ziqi issued what fans are calling a “final warning” to the production team, demanding a clear explanation of the alleged misconduct. She further warned that if no response is given, she is prepared to release evidence exposing what she describes as hidden behind-the-scenes issues.
Her strong stance quickly went viral, turning her into the center of a heated online debate, with many netizens now waiting for the next development in the unfolding controversy.
This is not the first controversy surrounding the current season. Earlier during the first performance round, voting results already sparked criticism after unexpected rankings placed certain teams despite strong performances into danger zones.
These recurring disputes have intensified speculation about possible manipulation, favoritism toward popular contestants, and behind-the-scenes production bias.
As of now, the production team has not released any official statement addressing Zhao Ziqi’s accusations. The silence has only fueled further speculation, with online discussions growing more intense across Chinese social media platforms.
Sources: Sohu,Weibo