Show business stars try to keep their faces in the media and scandals are a very efficient method of doing so. But scandals can accumulate to such an extent that they can engulf a star's career.

Zhang Ziyi, one of the most recognizable Chinese faces overseas, must be painfully aware of this. Her latest series of scandals started last December with "Ink Gate," when some people showed up at the Park Hyatt in Beijing and splashed black ink over an OMEGA ad billboard featuring Zhang.

In January, Zhao Xinyu, a former confidante, said Zhang had split up with her millionaire fiancé, Vivi Nevo. Zhang sued Zhao, and Vivi Nevo issued a statement supporting Zhang. But it is still not clear if the couple are still together.

But what got Zhang into real trouble was the Sichuan earthquake. She claimed she had donated 1 million yuan (US$146,400) to earthquake relief funds, but it turned out the real sum was 840,000 yuan (US$123,028). And the Ziyi Foundation she set up to manage the donations turned out to exist on paper only. Zhang's credibility was seriously damaged but she made no public apology. Although she later made up the shortfall, the public has not forgiven her.

Zhang recently announced she was quitting her movie project "Snow Flower and The Secret Fan" which she was supposed to co-produce and star in. The production company said her withdrawal was on health grounds, but the public put it down to her tarnished reputation.

People are wondering what Zhang is up to. Why does she keep silent? Does she not care about her image at all? Or is she cleverly manipulating the media to create a myth out of herself?

Now would be a good time for Zhang start sorting things out and mend her image. If things go on like this, her career could be completely ruined.

Learn more:
Zhang Ziyi denies charity fraud
Emporio Armani drops Zhang Ziyi endorsement?
Snow Flower director: Zhang Ziyi's exit due to neck injury
Charity rules examined as Zhang pays up
Chinese art of reveling in another's pain
Donation details released to end debate dogging Zhang Ziyi
Zhang Ziyi makes first public appearance since scandal
Zhang Ziyi sues newspaper, Vivi Nevo issues statement
Zhang Ziyi to produce 2nd film

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