An unmarried woman from China has staged 20 fictitious marriages, acting as a bride, and claims to assist clients in navigating societal pressures.
Cao Mei, a woman in her 20s hailing from Chengdu in southwestern China, generates income by renting out her persona, according to a mainland news magazine, Nanfengchuang.
Her venture began in 2018 when a friend requested Cao to pose as his girlfriend for a meeting with his parents.
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Recognising a business opportunity, she realised that many individuals in China, grappling with familial expectations, struggle with dating and marriage.
Over the past seven years, Cao has portrayed a bride at 20 weddings. Her services are typically sought around holidays, and she does not engage in the legal formalities of marriage; instead, she focuses on organising the ceremonies.
Cao memorises details such as her age, occupation, and educational background beforehand, and she also meets the groom’s family before the event.
At the ceremony, she dons a wedding dress, links arms with the groom, and fully immerses herself in the celebration.
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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