Fan Bingbing‘s Remarkable Comeback: From Tax Scandal to Beauty Empire

Jakarta – Seven years after effectively disappearing from public life following a major tax scandal, Chinese actress Fan Bingbing is experiencing a resurgence – not on the silver screen, but as a accomplished entrepreneur.Her beauty brand, Fan Beauty Diary, has rapidly ascended to become one of the top 100 best-selling beauty brands in China.

According to recent financial reports from Finance Sina,Fan Beauty diary generated USD 201.9 million (approximately Rp. 3.4 trillion) in revenue over the past year. While still trailing behind established industry giants,analysts highlight the brand’s substantial growth since its launch seven years ago,labeling Fan Bingbing a “dark horse” in the competitive beauty market.

Fan Bingbing has strategically employed modern marketing tactics, including collaborations with key influencers and celebrities to drive sales through livestreaming events. This approach has proven highly effective in boosting brand visibility and consumer engagement.

The brand’s ambitions extend beyond the Chinese market. In the last year, Fan Beauty Diary expanded its distribution to Southeast Asian e-commerce platforms and increased its promotional presence on TikTok. Though,initial sales figures from these international efforts have been described as “not promising” by industry observers.

fan launched Fan Beauty Diary in 2018, coinciding with the investigation and subsequent fine for tax evasion. She paid a staggering 883 million yuan to avoid criminal prosecution. Prior to the scandal, Fan Bingbing was a dominant force in Chinese entertainment, a frequent presence on international red carpets, a brand ambassador for luxury labels, and a self-financing film producer.

Speaking at the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival, Fan Bingbing acknowledged the dramatic fall from grace, stating she learned the importance of patience and perseverance during her period of hardship. For the past seven years,she has been largely barred from entertainment activities within china,missing out on events and domestic film productions.

Despite her business success, Fan Bingbing has expressed a longing to return to acting. She starred in the south Korean production Green Night in 2023 and the Malaysian film Mother Bhumi last year, and is reportedly exploring opportunities in film production, having acquired the rights to several manuscripts. She remains hopeful of finding a role that aligns with this new chapter in her life.