Zhang Ziyi sues newspaper, Vivi Nevo issues statement
Vivi Neno and Zhang Ziyi
Chinese celebrity actress Zhang Ziyi, reportedly bogged down in a love affair, sued for reputation infringement on Friday. The actress has entrusted Beijing Lu Tong United Law Firm to file the lawsuit against Gou Wu Dao Bao, a Beijing-based shopping guide newspaper for groundless reports that tarnished her reputation. Chaoyang People's Court will hear the case, according to Sohu.com.
The newspaper tags Zhang Ziyi to a scandal of money and love affair, and fabricates "Zhang the third woman destroying other's family" as well as her "split from boy friend Vivi Nevo", which are untrue, said Huang Kai, Zhang's attorney in an interview with sohu.
According to attorney Huang, he had denied the authenticity of the report about Zhang Ziyi when the writer, Wang Xiaoyu, a journalist of the shopping newspaper turned to him for confirmation and warned him of consequent legal responsibility if he insisted on publishing the article.
However, the report threatening the star's reputation and privacy was released on January 13 and became widespread.
Zhang Ziyi is currently filming her new project "The Grand Master" by Wong Kar Wai in Shenyang.
Meanwhile, Zhang's rumored fiancé Vivi Neno, absent from public sight following the rumored split-up, issued a statement via a local public relations company Thursday, expressing his support to Ziyi and anger at the rootless harmful reports.
Here is the complete version of the statement published via Sohu.com:
Statement from Vivi Nevo
January 14, 2010, Malibu, California, United States
"I have been following the recent rumors and accusations surrounding Ms. Zhang Ziyi with great disbelief. I am personally very upset to find these false and vicious rumors in the Chinese media and I completely condemn them.
I stand by Ziyi fully in these difficult times. And, if the rumors, lies, and accusations continue in the print media or online, I will take the necessary legal actions to counter them.
Ms. Zhang's and my relationship is private and personal; the media should not invade our privacy nor continue to spread rumors of a separation."
Vivian Hsu, Zhang Ziyi & Takeuchi Yuuko Make Red Carpet Appearances
Vivian Hsu wore a shimmery strapless dress at the Shanghai Bazaar Charity Gala on April 25th.
Zhang Ziyi made a guest appearance as the OMEGA luxury watch ambassador in Tokyo on April 22nd.
Takeuchi Yuuko attended a press conference to promote her role on ABC’s FlashForward in Tokyo on April 20th. Co-star Zachary Knighton was also in attendance.
Zhang Ziyi's Scandalous Photos On Internet
Actress Zhang Ziyi is allegedly under investigation by the Chinese government for being paid to have sex with disgraced former top government official, Bo Xilai.
She is reportedly barred from leaving the country.
Hong Kong’s Apple daily and other Chinese media reported that the pair was first introduced by Bo’s associate, Xu Ming, 41, who is the founder and chairman of Dalian Shide Group.
Sources say Xu confessed to paying Zhang 6 million yuan (S$1.2 million) in 2007, to have sex with her for the first time.
He later negotiated a deal for Bo to have sex with Zhang, for 10 million yuan (S$2 million).
Reports say the 33-year-old actress slept with Bo at least 10 times between 2007 and 2011 in Beijing.
The Chinese media also estimated that Zhang’s sexual transactions with various rich and powerful figures have netted her 700 million yuan over the last 10 years.
This includes 180 million yuan in cash from Xu.
Her wealth from prostituting herself was not taxed, due to intervention from Xu and other government officials.
Xu reportedly pimped the Chinese actress out to two other high-level officials as well.
Media news outlets speculate that investigations into these allegations could explain why Zhang was absent from the recently concluded Cannes film festival.
Her film, Dangerous Liaisons, premiered at the festival, which her co-star, Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung, attended.
Zhang claimed she was busy shooting the film, “The Grandmasters”, and was unable to attend the festival.
According to Hong Kong and Taiwanese media reports, the actress has remained uncontactable for comment on the allegations.
Zhang was previously embroiled in other scandals.
In 2010, she was accused of exaggerating the funds raised for the Sichuan earthquake. Instead of the US$1million (S$1.34million) announced in 2008, the star only managed to raise US$400,000.
In 2009, Zhang was accused of cheating a married businessman of S$41.2 million, with whom she was alleged to be sexually involved with, while still engaged to Israeli billionaire Vivi Nevo.
Nevo and Zhang reportedly split up in 2010.
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