An unmarried lady from China has staged 20 false relationships, acting as a wife, and claims to help customers in navigating socioeconomic pressures.
Cao Mei, a lady in her 20s hailing from Chengdu in southern China, generates revenue by renting out her image, according to a peninsula information magazine, Nanfengchuang.
Her walk began in 2018 when a colleague requested Cao to present as his partner for a meeting with his kids.
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Recognising a firm chance, she realised that many people in China, grappling with familial expectations, battle with dating and marriage.
Over the past seven decades, Cao has portrayed a wife at 20 celebrations. Her service are usually sought around vacations, and she does not participate in the legal formalities of marriage, otherwise, she focuses on organising the ceremonies.
Cao memorises information for as her age, profession, and educational qualifications beforehand, and she also meets the groom’s home before the occasion.
At the meeting, she dons a wedding gown, links hands with the man, and fully immerses herself in the event.
Cao asserts that her work has highlighted the intense pressure families face under societal expectations and the generational conflicts that often arise from these pressures.
Some parents even help their sons arrange these elaborate fake weddings to collect wedding gifts, all while keeping it a secret from the guests.
In one instance, a mother contacted Cao after her son’s engagement was abruptly cancelled due to financial difficulties, although the news had already circulated within their village.
To prevent embarrassment, she hired Cao to complete the wedding ceremony.
Cao refers to herself as a “life actress”, and there are other “life actors” in the industry who take on roles as clients ‘ parents, employers, or children.
In China, numerous online groups exist where individuals can rent these actors for specific roles.
The industry, however, lacks standardised pricing, Cao specialises in portraying girlfriends and brides, earning 1, 500 yuan ( US$ 200 ) per day.
Fees vary based on the nature of the services required, whether for photoshoots, engagements, or banquets.
After graduating from vocational school, Cao briefly worked as an extra in films, earning only a few dozen yuan per appearance.
She noted that completing just a few “life actress” assignments yields more income than an entire month at a regular job.
Despite her success, Cao has deceived her family, claiming to work in a conventional office, fearing that the truth would lead them to believe she is engaged in sex work, even though she maintains a strict boundary, avoiding any intimate contact with clients.
She acknowledged that the industry has encountered serious issues in the past, including instances where some actresses were threatened by clients demanding sexual favours or withholding payment.
He Bo, a lawyer from Sichuan Hongqi Law Firm, stated that while Cao’s role as a bride does not qualify as an illegal activity, it may involve elements of fraud, and the job carries legal risks, particularly if it includes the use of fake IDs, scams, or impersonation of officials.
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