Let stars perform, not lead

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(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-20 08:16

Actor Pu Cunxin who used to look cultured and elegant, recently whined to journalists that "there are too many places wanting to hire celebrities to be their leaders and it is ridiculous."

He also said: "I hate to be a leader and I'm terribly bored of being one."

Some local governments and companies are looking for celebrities to be their leaders due to two considerations: firstly, they want to use celebrities to get public attention and stimulate local economic growth.

For example, Mengcheng county once hired cross-talker Niu Qun as their deputy magistrate.

Secondly, performing arts companies and theatres hired celebrities as their leaders to strengthen their image.

As such, in recent years, celebrities like Pu Cunxin, Song Zuying, Han Hong, Fan Bingbing, Wang Han and Da Bing have all become leaders.

No celebrities have become successful leaders after being hired by local governments. Niu Qun is well-known for his failure as a county magistrate.

On the contrary, there is nothing unusual for performing groups to appoint stars as their leaders. It's just like other companies promoting top performers to be leaders.

However, the key to the issue is that there must be a fit between the job and the candidate.

For instance, singer Han Hong has been energetic and ambitious after she became deputy head of the Air Force Song and Dance Ensemble.

She said: "I need to speak for more people who need help".

But there have been rumors that Pu Cunxin might quit as deputy head of Beijing People's Art Theatre. His comments might have just confirmed the rumors.

Everyone has his strong and weak points. It is better to let Pu Cunxin perform in more popular dramas than taking on managerial work that he's not good at.

(Excerpts from a comment that first appeared in Beijing Times on Nov 19.)

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