Title: Liu Yitong
They possess the allure and grace of women but are thoroughly male in body. They paint their eyebrows, powder their faces, and walk with swaying hips like women. Even their voices strive for perfect imitation to be indistinguishable from real women. However, they do not actually want to become women; psychologically, they are different from those who identify as transgender women. They make a bold costume choice to impress the judges and leave the audience guessing about their gender. This is an outstanding performance, and if it leaves a deep and beautiful impression, they will advance to the next round.
Indeed, they have made a name for themselves, whether they reach the peak of popularity depends on their luck. Sometimes, what the majority of the audience dislikes may not necessarily be ignored. As long as there is someone promoting them, packaging them, and providing a platform for them to showcase their talents, they can have a surprising career trajectory.
If the story of Hua Mulan "disguising herself as a man to serve in her father's place" is a timeless legend of female heroism matching male valor, then men dressing as women becoming popular for a while is just a matter of changing trends. Just like the poles of the Earth occasionally switching, so too does human society experience cyclical changes in fashion, both clockwise and counterclockwise.
Some say that their rise represents the progress of societal aesthetic perspectives. When people can embrace with tolerance what was once absolutely intolerable, and even spark widespread discussion, their existence becomes both a challenge and an opportunity at the forefront. Their persistence, without fading under scrutiny, already proves the legitimacy of their presence.
They utilize their natural talents to carve out a niche for their dreams. Whether singing or dancing, they take it seriously, making them ordinary performers during those moments. Perhaps, for this disguise, they once bore heavy pressure. But they decided that they would not rest until they made an impact. In this fiercely competitive society where survival of the fittest prevails, sticking to conventional paths makes it exceedingly difficult to stand out. This is a call to action, unafraid of criticism and even welcoming discussions. If harsh criticisms come their way, it is acceptable as long as they move forward. Whether it is a treacherous path or a bright avenue, they will walk it and adjust along the way. This attitude is far superior to those who dream but do nothing.
China is vast, with countless people flocking to Beijing in search of opportunities, many striving desperately to perform on the Spring Festival Gala. With so many dreams, how can all of them be realized without exception? Often, dreams bring untouchable pain, leaving some abandoning family and career only to end up empty-handed. Old Bi’s "smooth road" isn't something everyone can easily tread upon. Besides possessing special skills, sometimes one needs financial backing or even willingness to endure unconventional practices like "under-the-table deals." Without a powerful ace up their sleeve, they can only look on helplessly. At this moment, by playing the role of a "false maiden," they aim to work hard towards a path leading to success, despite potential storms and hail. If they succeed, it opens up a limitless future filled with fame and fortune, drawing countless followers.
Haven't Li Yugang and Xiao Shenyang both had elements of "false maidens"? Despite much criticism, aren’t they still shining brightly, contrary to some predictions that they would fade away quickly? Li Yugang even performed at the Sydney Opera House, becoming the second Chinese person to receive such an honor. Xiao Shenyang was undoubtedly one of the busiest artists around the Spring Festival. Performances deemed tasteless by some dominated many prime-time TV slots, with Xiao earning money hand over fist. Are you envious? You can continue to look down on them, but what right do you have to stop young dreamers who love art? Maybe their "false maiden" roles are for art, or perhaps simply to improve their parents' lives. This argument might be criticized by officials advocating "country first," but ordinary people think and act this way—so is it wrong?
To achieve their dreams through "false maiden" roles is an experiment. How far they can go remains to be seen. One thing is certain: true art cannot rely solely on gimmicks to sustain itself. They must develop their genuine skills, continuously learn, and innovate to truly occupy a corner of the stage. Hopefully, they already know this.