‘Fake socialite’ lives 21 days for free in Beijing as social experiment

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An art student from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing did an experiment for her graduation project - to attempt to live 21 days for free in Beijing. She disguised herself as a socialite and slept in the halls of extravagant hotels, tried on jade bracelets at auctions, and enjoyed free food and drinks. Her 21-day project caused a sensation online, triggering heated discussion about class, privilege, and wealth inequality.

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[elizabeth]

The fact that she is an art student and did this as her graduation project makes this even cooler

[killakame-]

Whatever people say... she showed the world ONCE again a known reality.

[Prinren]

“Forging fake VIP passes.” GURL! She could be a whole secret agent. Her confidence… I am amazed. Sleeping in lobbies and IKEA. The courage she has as well. Couldn’t be me

[ningning]

i think the one thing that really helped her confidence was knowing that this was just a social experiment. she's not really in a situation where she needs to act like this to survive or get away with certain things. if things actually went really south, she'd at least have something to fall back on.

[xmafaldax]

She's a genius. People are saying it worked because she fits the Chinese beauty standards, and I'm sure she's aware of that and used that to her advantage during the project. I wish her all success in the world

[xsomili]

Its not just money and looks. She must have perfectly immitated the attitude, charisma and confidence too

[tiaan]

It makes sense as to why she became a professional artist since art relies heavily on concept and a message, she showed both of those things in her video so I’m glad for her.

[plasticflower]

I once wandered through an airport during transit and by mistake went into the VIP Lounge (there happened to be no one at the front at that time). Eventually I noticed there was "free" food and thought wait this can't be right, and realized where I was. I kinda panicked a little, but then I thought no, if I don't want to get caught I have to play it cool. So I pretended to belong, ate some stuff and when it was time for my flight I walked out. Or was quite fun and exciting

[frankie]

Not a lot of people can do this, she's really brave

[bellcrosswolfstein]

She really did a great job in acting like one of the rich people. Even i would believe that she's one if i were to see her in person.

[shoshishoshi]

We should also take into account that she perfectly fits Chinese beauty standards. Pretty privilege combined with class privilege is a powerful combo to make people treat you with extra kindness and temperance.

[catstalker]

I feel like all of her social experiments are very interesting, especially her latest performance art where she hired people to be her mother for 21 days. It's interesting to see a different perspective on what different people interpret what love for a child is.

[jevieyt]

She's like an real life actress. Salute to her bravery while doing this experiment.
It's sad to say that the society are favoring rich-looking people.

[Nanancay]

“It’s very interesting how such free ‘excessive goods’ are distributed: They’re often given to people who seem to already have plenty, ” Zou wrote on Weibo.' Man I love her LOL, this is a very valid social commentary and it's actually even more profound when you think about all the times you hungered for things that the rich are used to, all these free things that would otherwise go to waste.

[erina]

She made it looks so easy to fake these things. In reality it's really difficult to mimic the attitude of "high class" people, especially when you don't have enough confidence. And the fact that she only got questioned one time made me think she must have presented herself in such a charismatic way that people don't doubt her. To be honest this is almost to a scary degree, she'll make a great spy or con-woman with that level of skill.

[Charliewalking]

Being just pretty is not enough. She had the personality and awareness to not be used but to use what she has to get by. Props to her

[zhisu]

yeah its disgusting how those with endless wealth are given free food, drinks, items, MONEY from others, for just existing while lower income earners are demonized for accepting donations and being unable to be spend as we want. she completely exposed wealth inequality and bias unintentionally.

[kokonana]

Don't forget that she's got the so-called 'BEAUTY PRIVILEGES' going on as well. She's nailed that 'Chinese-Super-Rich-Kid' look and strutted that sky-high confidence to the point that it becomes so natural and very convincing.

[mysteryjunkie]

I’ll say pretending to be a rich wife trying to catch a cheating husband was genius nobody going to want to mess with her in that situation

[b.l.a.c.k.s.t.a.r]

One of Marilyn Monroe's lovers talked about something similar. They were walking down the street and no one knew it was her. She said something like "would you like to see her" then suddenly everyone started noticing and approaching her. Confidence isn't just a "fake it" thing. It's not about "believing" either. You really have to know you are him/her. People can sense fake vs real confidence.