Chinese Showbiz: One Encounter with the Demon Child Ruined My Life

At the end of 2010, the massive nationwide audition for the role of Yu Ji was in full swing. Dilraba, a freshman who had just enrolled at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, was one in ten thousand. When her classmates heard the news, envy and jealousy came rushing in. “You’ll get to meet Daniel Wu and play the woman you love most, too. You can do it, Dilraba! Go, go, go!” “A big-name director and a huge production. I’m so jealous, Dilraba.” “I heard that in auditions for productions this big, newcomers are just there to make up the numbers.” “Sis Ba, take me along so I can see the world, will you? I’ll be your assistant for free. Just feed me!” Amid all the insincere praise, the sensitive heart hidden beneath Dilraba’s youthful, exotic features grew a little more confident. Just then, a deeply discordant voice rang out: “Yu Ji auditions? Not even a dog would go!” From then on, the Shanghai Theatre Academy became home to Tang Tang, a maverick director who would shine in the annals of cinema, and Dilraba, a dazzling international superstar. At first, the media nicknamed Tang Tang the “Demon Brat of Shanghai.” The actresses who worked with him all rose to stardom or won awards, and luxury brands flocked to sign them as ambassadors. The media also called him the “CP catalyst” and the man standing behind Dilraba. But he always insisted, “Whether I’m there or not, she, Dilraba, was bound to become an international superstar sooner or later.” A selection of the Demon Brat’s quotes: “Yu Ji auditions? Not even a dog would go! Yeah, I said that!” “If you cast her in Lost in Hong Kong, then good luck to you.” “Hengda Taobao can’t possibly turn a profit, but Hengda can, and Taobao can!” “I don’t need friends. When fame and fortune are at stake, they’re the ones who can’t do without me!”