"Memoirs of a Geisha" actress Zhang Ziyi isn't happy at all over a story claiming the star was paid millions to participate in a sexual relationship with Chinese politician Bo Xilai.
During an appearance at the 12 Chinese Film Media Awards, the actress said the entire allegation is nothing more than fabrication.
"This 'news' is a complete lie. Both within the article and between the lines, there were contemptuous lies ... I read a lot of comments from people who don't know the truth and they think this film industry is like that [rife with unsavory dealings]. This time, these [irresponsible reports] have not only hurt me, but maligned the film industry. And worse of all, they [some media outlets] made use of such hot topics to fool the public."
Now, the 32-year-old actress is threatening to sue a sling of news outlets including a local Hong Kong paper where her publicist originally learned of the allegations.
"We read this outrageous report in the Apple Daily," Ziyi's publicist said in a statement to TodayOnline. "It sent stone-cold chills down our spines and has left us with a feeling of deep sadness."
The report followed and repeated claims made earlier on Boxun.com, a Chinese-language site housed in the U.S.
Boxun claimed Zhang and Xilai met in 2007 through the latter's billionaire friend Xu Ming. The site also claimed the actress gained $100 million from flings with high-ranking government officials dating back ten years.
The Chinese actress is now the subject to government investigations. Her lawyer has since posted a letter to the Apple Daily on both Ziyi's blog and and site Sina Weibo demanding the paper retract the claims and issue an apology to the actress.
"Friends have advised us to release a short statement and not take this seriously," Ziyi's publicist said. "The more you argue, the more you will stir up. It would be better to step aside until people lose interest and the lies disappear. The innocent will always be innocent."
Zhang Ziyi currently stars in "Dangerous Liaisons" which premiered last week at the Cannes Film Festival.
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