Actress Wang Tianyu Suffers Burns in Viral Fire-Breathing Stunt

Chinese actress Wang Tianyu, known for her role in Stephen Chow’s 2016 film The Mermaid, sustained burns to her face and neck while attempting a dangerous viral trend involving fire and alcohol. The incident serves as a stark warning about the risks associated with online challenges and the pursuit of viral content.

The Incident

On March 8, Tianyu shared a video on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu detailing her attempt at the fire-breathing stunt. The challenge involves expelling alcohol towards lit candles, creating a dramatic burst of flames. In Tianyu’s video, the alcohol ignited, resulting in a large fireball that engulfed her face and hair. She quickly dropped the cake and attempted to extinguish the flames.

Severity of Injuries

Tianyu sought medical treatment for burns to her neck, chin, and lips. She also reported singed eyelashes but confirmed that her vocal cords were not damaged, according to a separate post on Douyin. According to Britannica, blue flames indicate the hottest temperatures, reaching approximately 1,500 degrees Celsius.

Warning Against Dangerous Trends

Tianyu expressed her regret for participating in the challenge, stating she believed it was a safe and popular trend among influencers. She used 96% alcohol, which contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. She strongly criticized the irresponsibility of creating content that prioritizes “coolness” over safety, concealing potential hazards for the sake of clicks and views.

“Platform algorithms and content creators package danger as trendiness, hiding the risk of burns behind filters and background music. This isn’t sharing, it’s endangering people,” Tianyu wrote in her Xiaohongshu post.

Call for Caution and Discretion

Tianyu shared her experience to warn others about the dangers of attempting similar stunts and to encourage viewers to exercise caution when consuming online content. She emphasized that safety should always be prioritized over achieving viral fame.

“Safety is always more important than vibes. Don’t gamble your life for a viral shot… I hope everyone who sees this will learn from my mistake. Don’t be like me, who followed trends blindly and suffered terrible consequences,” she concluded.

About The Mermaid

The Mermaid (美人鱼), released in 2016, is a romantic fantasy comedy film directed, co-written, and produced by Stephen Chow. The film stars Lin Yun, Deng Chao, Zhang Yuqi, and Show Lo. It tells the story of a wealthy businessman who falls in love with a mermaid sent to assassinate him. The Mermaid was a major box office success, grossing US$553.8 million and becoming the thirteenth-highest-grossing film of all time in China.