Zhang Ziyi investigated in Chinese sex scandal, accused of million-dollar trysts with politicians
Rep for ‘Crouching Tiger’ actress blasts allegations as ‘false & defamatory’
By Joyce Chen / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
This definitely wasn’t a part she’d ever hoped to play.
Zhang Ziyi, the Chinese actress best known for her intense, knife-wielding role in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” has become the latest name associated with the growing shroud of scandal surrounding Chinese politician Bo Xilai.
The actress, whose latest film “Dangerous Liaisons” debuted at Cannes last week, is being accused of getting paid millions of dollars to have sexual relations with several high-ranking Chinese politicians, including Bo.
“The accusations made against award-winning actress Zhang Ziyi are completely false and defamatory,” Zhang’s rep told E! News. “There is no truth in any of the allegations that have come forth, which are a result of calculated cruel intentions against a well-respected established actress.
“Legal repercussions are ensuing and these scandalous reports will not be tolerated in any way.”
Zhang, 33, allegedly slept with scandal-ridden Bo multiple times between 2007 and 2011, raking in a cumulative $100 million for the trysts.
Bo is currently under investigation for the death of British businessman Neil Heywood, who fell out of favor with the former mayor of Chongqing last fall and was allegedly poisoned by Bo’s wife, Gu Kailai.
According to reports in China, Zhang and Bo were first introduced by billionaire Xu Ming, who is also being investigated by the Beijing government over alleged corruption.
The Daily Mail reports Xu also paid Zhang a considerable amount of money in exchange for sexual relations before setting Bo up with a similar arrangement.
A claim appearing on Chinese social media site Sina Weibo initially said Zhang is currently being detained in China, but the Hong Kong University-based Chinese Media Project reports that the posts have since been removed.
Zhang was absent at the Cannes premiere of “Dangerous Liaisons” last week.
Reps for the actress, however, are adamant that the truth will persevere and are demanding an apology from the Apple Daily.
“We will prove our side of the story; we’ll seek legal justice; we’ll find you in the darkest corner and go after you,” Ziyi’s rep said in a statement on China.org. “We will seek justice for Zhang Ziyi by taking legal action against Apple Daily and against any other media publishing these false reports.”
+1 headline.
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