China's Anthem Star a Fake

Nine-year-old Lin Miaoke became a sensation after performing the Chinese anthem at the Olympics opening ceremony, and has been busily doing interviews and accepting praise ever since. There’s just one problem: The voice billions around the world actually heard was a 7-year-old with crooked teeth who was replaced after a dress rehearsal when a member of the politburo ruled that she wasn't "flawless" enough. 

The show’s musical director admitted the swap on Beijing radio. "The main consideration was the national interest," he said. "The child on the screen should be flawless in image."  The actual singer, Yang Peiyi,  who won a competition to perform, was said to have taken the disappointment well. And why has young Lin Miaoke been taking credit? She might not have known that her voice couldn't be heard, the music director said. She was only told she was going to perform 15 minutes before showtime, he added.

(More 2008 Beijing Olympics stories.)