Lin Miaoke

Child performer Lin Miaoke appeared to sing the anthem "Hymn to the Motherland" at the Olympic opening ceremony on August 8, 2008. However, her performance was later revealed to be mimed. The actual singer, Yang Peiyi, was not allowed to perform at the ceremony after being ruled "not as cute" by the ceremonies' production team.

Miako will make her screen acting debut in the Chinese TV Movie A Dream of Red Mansions.Eastday: "A Dream of Red Mansions" shooting in S China (April 11, 2009) The movie, filmed throughout southern China in April 2009, is based on an 18th century novel of the same name.

Lin Miaoke wasn't the only hoax pulled by the Olympic ceremonies' production team. It was also revealed that an earlier fireworks sequence had been digitally manipulated for "theatrical effect" before the ceremony.The New York Times: In Grand Olympic Show, Some Sleight of Voice

"This was a last-minute question, a choice we had to make. Our rehearsals had already been vetted several times - they were all very strict. When we had the dress rehearsals, there were spectators from various divisions, including above all a member of the politburo who gave us his verdict: we had to make the swap."—Chen Qigang, musical designer

"The main consideration was the national interest. The child on the screen should be flawless in image, in her internal feelings, and in her expression. In the matter of her voice in the unanimous opinion of all the members of the team."—Chen Qigang