Chinese actress Vicki Zhao spotted traveling amid comeback speculations

Chinese actress Vicki Zhao. Photo from Instagram

According to 163 News, Zhao was recently spotted traveling to Tibet with a group of friends. Paparazzi captured photos of her without makeup, wearing sunglasses, and trying to stay low-key. Despite her efforts to remain unnoticed, she was still recognized by those around her.

After her trip, Zhao returned to Beijing, dressed casually. When reporters approached her, she waved and quickly left, avoiding any questions about a possible comeback.

Chinapress also reported that Zhao was previously seen returning from a trip to Dali, Yunnan, where she revealed a new tattoo on her right forearm.

Zhao has become more active on social media, recently engaging with posts by Shu Qi, Leah Dou, and Ruby Lin, even complimenting Shu Qi by calling her "super beautiful." In March, China Times reported that Zhao’s Weibo account had been reactivated after a long suspension.

Notably, her popular works like "Painted Skin" and "My Fair Princess," which had been removed from Chinese websites, have reappeared. The movie poster for "My Fair Princess" on Douban now features Zhao’s image, and her name is once again listed in the cast.

Many fans believe these developments hint at Zhao’s potential return to the entertainment industry.

However, in April, Sina reported that Zhao’s shares, worth 5 million yuan (approximately US$700,000), in Hebao Entertainment Group Co. had been frozen by the Beijing Fourth Intermediate People’s Court, with the freeze lasting until April 10, 2027.

Zhao's last public appearance was at a Fendi event in July 2021, where she served as the brand's spokesperson in China. All series and movies featuring her were removed from video platforms the following month, and her name vanished from movie awards portals. Brands she represented also purged or hid any content related to her on China's social media platform Weibo.

Baidu indicates that the ban imposed on Zhao is a common practice in China's entertainment and sports industries, which prohibits individuals from working in these sectors due to violations of moral or legal codes.

Social media also scrubs any content associated with such celebrities. Other Chinese entertainers, including singer Kris Wu, actress Zheng Shuang, and singer Zhang Zhehan, have faced similar bans in recent years.

Official reasons for Zhao's alleged ban remain undisclosed.