CHINA: Obese Chinese boy turns into Internet icon and national celebrity

Record ID: 605732

  • Title: CHINA: Obese Chinese boy turns into Internet icon and national celebrity
  • Date: 9th December 2006
  • Summary: QIAN AND GAO FENG WATCHING THE INTERNET
  • Embargoed: 24th December 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVAC7DNQ1ASJ445Q6XOHT6QCTKPO
  • Story Text: An obese Chinese teenager has gained nationwide celebrity after his teacher posted his picture on the Internet and his face became a favourite for photo-altering creativity.
    Nicknamed "Little Fatty," 19-year-old Qian Zhijun has become one of the most popular figures in China's bubbling Web community.
    The media frenzy dates back to four years ago when a teacher took a photo of then 15-year-old Qian Zhijun and uploaded it on the Net.
    Soon, Qian's face multiplied on the Web, catching the eyes of photo-altering geeks and creators.
    Little Fatty's has appeared as a multiple hero on Hollywood movie posters, with his face replacing Tom Hanks in the Da Vinci Code, Johnny Depp's in the Pirates of the Caribbean, just to name a few.
    Naturally, the boy has become a focus of Chinese media attention, getting interviewed on national TV and some of the largest Chinese portal websites such as Sina.com and Yahoo China.
    Although famous now, Qian was rather upset when he first saw his photos being made fun of on the net. He says it took him a long time before he could view the phenomenon with a positive attitude.
    "Now my feeling has changed. If you always feel depressed, then you feel uncomfortable. Now I can view this event with a calm mind, and I feel released," said Qian.
    Some say the boy has greatly contributed to the widespread use of the Internet across the country.
    "The appearance of 'Little Fatty' is a milestone for the development of the Internet. It's a landmark. It shows the grassroots power of citizens who can create their own stars," said Du Peiyuan, who operates an Internet Website.
    Overweight and successful, Qian Zhijun now also leads other people to take more optimistic views towards obesity.
    Gao Feng, a friend of Qian, runs "Little Fatty's" official Website, designed as a communication forum for overweight people. He acknowledges "Fatty's" symbolic status among a growing community of obese people in China.
    Most of China's popular Internet figures plunge into the entertainment industry, hoping to work as singers or film stars.
    Qian, who is now working as an intern at a gas station, and loves cooking, has his own plan.
    He is hoping to become a TV host for a cooking programme, or work as a reporter to explore gourmet restaurants.
    Qian now even has impersonators.
    Recently he was joined by six impersonators - along with a dozen belly dancers - who imitated his unique facial expressions and sent the crowd into laughter.
    The use of the internet is spreading rapidly in China in recent years.
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