Vietnamese singer Ho Ngoc Ha cropped out of photo by Chinese actress Liu Yifei sparks debate

Chinese actress Liu Yifei has sparked an online debate in both Vietnam and China after posting a cropped version of a photo taken with Vietnamese singer Ho Ngoc Ha and Bvlgari CEO Laura Burdese, excluding Ha from the frame. The incident occurred after both women attended a Bvlgari high-jewelry event in Shanghai on September 7. Ho Ngoc Ha initially shared a photo on her Instagram featuring herself, Liu Yifei, and Burdese. Later, Liu Yifei posted the same image on her account, but with Ho Ngoc Ha cropped out, leaving only Liu and the Bvlgari executive. The discrepancy quickly drew widespread attention online. A related topic on Chinese social media platform Weibo garnered over 110 million views and tens of thousands of comments, reaching the number one spot on the platform's trending list. Some users accused Liu Yifei of disrespecting Ho Ngoc Ha, circulating videos of their previous interactions and arguing that cropping Ha from a shared photo was hurtful, especially since both were invited by Bvlgari. Critics labeled the move unprofessional and inappropriate for a luxury brand event. Others defended Liu Yifei, stating that the two women were not close and that she had the right to choose who appeared in photos on her personal account. "They aren't close, so why would she suddenly post a photo of her?" one user commented, while another added, "I actually think cropping the photo showed respect for the other person’s right to control her image." Liu Yifei later removed the cropped photo from her account, while Ho Ngoc Ha left her original post unchanged. Ho Ngoc Ha downplayed the controversy, describing the incident as "normal" and mentioning she had only met Liu Yifei once or twice. She clarified that while they knew each other, they were not close. Chinese blogger Yu Xiaoxiao commented that the episode highlighted a tension between social etiquette and personal freedom, noting that while individuals are entitled to control their online image, sharing a full photo after agreeing to pose together could be seen as more considerate. Ho Ngoc Ha, 41, is a prominent figure in Vietnam's music, film, and fashion industries, often referred to as the "Kylie Jenner of Vietnam." She began her career as a model before transitioning to music, releasing her debut album in 2004. Known as Ha Ho, she has achieved widespread recognition through collaborations with various composers. Liu Yifei has had a two-decade career in film and television and is one of the most commercially successful stars in Chinese-language entertainment. She represents numerous international and Chinese brands, reportedly earning around 25 million yuan (US$3.7 million) per brand ambassador contract. Source: VnExpress International