Godfrey Gao's Death Sparks Outrage Amongst His Fans
HONG KONG – APRIL 21: Godfrey Gao poses at the red carpet during the opening night of the Time Capsule Exhibition by Louis Vuitton on 21 April 2017 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by studioEAST/Getty Images)
Godfrey Gao, the Taiwanese-Canadian model known for making history as the first Asian model signed to Louis Vuitton, has passed away tragically at the age of 35.
Gao was filming a reality television show in Ningbo, China called Chase Me.
The object of the game in the show is for celebrities to compete in physical endurance challenges against non-celebrity contestants. It is reported that Gao could be heard by an audience member saying "I can't keep going" before collapsing and entering cardiac arrest. He reportedly had been filming for 17 straight hours—from 8:30 am on November 26 until 1:45am on November 27 when he broke down in the middle of tackling obstacle courses for the show.
On Weibo, a Chinese microblogging website akin to Twitter, fans of Gao are outraged against the conditions of labor required for actors on the sets of strenuous reality television shows such as Chase Me. On the series, contestants are pushed to their limits, and asked to participate in difficult physical activities like scaling buildings and walking tightropes.
The New York Times reported that users of Weibo have discussed the situation so much that hashtags about his death are now reaching millions of views. Producers of the show, and the channel Zhejiang Television are under fire for Gao's accidental death. Actor Xu Zheng, for example, posted on Weibo about wanting Chase Me to be "held responsible" for Gao's preventable death. “The show’s awareness of safety precautions is too poor,” he said.
Gao made history in 2011 with Louis Vuitton. Two years later, he starred alongside Lily Collins and Lena Headey in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, and appeared in several Chinese television shows. He also voiced Ken in the Mandarin-language version of Toy Story 3 in 2010.
Fans, friends, and fellow actors shared their remembrances for Gao on social media. Outside of Weibo—on Twitter, for example—fans of Gao are demanding the show and reality television industry be held responsible for his death.
View on Instagram
I am shocked & heartbroken to hear of Godfrey Gao’s untimely passing. He was a pioneer in the Asian community that stretched our imaginations on what was possible in the industry. To the original Magnus who left us way too soon, you left an impression on us that’ll last forever. pic.twitter.com/eYKlRJdlTJ
— Harry Shum Jr (@HarryShumJr) November 27, 2019
They need to investigate #ChaseMe. Godfrey Gao was in good shape and everyone knows this. He was 35. He filmed for 17 hours straight with the possibility of no break. There were no proper medical attention given to him. Investigate!
— Saymone loves Ninety One,Kpop 2nd gens and Jpop. (@stanukiss2k19) November 27, 2019
I'm more angry than anything about Godfrey Gao's death because it was 100% preventable. That show better take responsibility for this and take proper measures to ensure the safety of future guests; or just cancel the show in its entirety. What happened on #ChaseMe is NOT okay.
— Luna (@LunaIsFree_) November 27, 2019
My hope is for broadcasting stations to thoroughly review all aspects of a show before filming it. Especially shows that are highly dangerous, like Chase Me.
— . (@shengrurenxin) November 27, 2019
Related: Artist Tschabalala Self Explains the Art and Commerce of Designing Her Own Louis Vuitton Bag
Source: Read Full Article