Dai Xiangyu, a 40-year-old former Mediacorp actor, has made a notable return to the spotlight as a participant in the latest season of the Chinese acting reality show "Everybody Stand By." The show premiered its first episode on February 14, drawing attention from audiences eager to see the talents of seasoned actors. Known previously as Dai Yangtian, Xiangyu gained fame for his role in the local blockbuster "The Little Nyonya," where he impressed viewers with his portrayal of a Japanese photographer named Yamamoto Yousuke.
"Everybody Stand By" gathers actors, producers, and directors from the Chinese entertainment industry, providing a platform for actors to be mentored by industry veterans. The ultimate goal is to compete for the title of "The Best Actor." Despite his past success, Dai Xiangyu's performance in the reality show's first episode did not meet the judges' expectations.
In his quest to impress, Dai Xiangyu chose to portray a poor father pleading for money to save his ailing child. He was tasked with creating his character and selecting a setting on a Chinese Republican Era drama set. During his initial appearance on the show, Xiangyu greeted fellow contestants shyly before settling at a seat far from the spotlight.
The panel of judges for "Everybody Stand By" included notable figures such as Chinese director Chen Kaige, acclaimed actress Zhang Ziyi, Hong Kong actor Francis Ng, and French actress Isabelle Huppert. Despite his best efforts, Dai Xiangyu's performance failed to resonate with the judges. Reflecting on his experience, Xiangyu admitted,
"I think he was trying to give me an opportunity [to enhance my performance], but I didn't manage to catch it." – Xiangyu
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