Devil Wears Prada 2 Sparks Racism Storm In China Over Character Named “Chin Chou”

ByMF Jones

The new trailer for The Devil Wears Prada 2 (out May 1, 2026) has ignited major controversy in China over a new Asian character named Qin Zhou (or “Chin Chou”, as misheard by social media users).

Aside from a name that’s dangerously close to sounding like “Ching Chong”, the character is nerdy, academically obsessed and socially awkward – which Chinese people say are offensive, outdated stereotypes:

According to the South China Morning Post, the trailer has triggered calls for a boycott ahead of the film’s release in China on April 30.

One Chinese netizen wrote: “Another racist Hollywood stereotype of Chinese people. They called this woman ‘Chin Chou’. Nobody is called that in China.”

Another asked: “Are you really clueless or just doing it on purpose?”

A third added: “I have lived in the US for over a decade and cannot find any excuse for that name. I planned to watch the film but now I will not.”

Aside from the name and stereotypical personality traits, she’s also dressed like sh1t? Which is weird because the character is meant to be working in the fashion industry. Come on Hollywood, stop being so lazy! Are you trying to appeal to the Chinese market or what? Apparently the first movie did really well over there.

Then again, China has also caught flak in the past for the way they represent foreigners in their movies.  Ip Man? Wolf Warrior? Wandering Earth? Detective Chinatown? All ridiculous, racist caricatures. Still, it’s 2026, so I guess it’s fair to argue that the movie industry as whole should be putting a little more effort in to avoid this sort of thing.

For the Chinese streamer who lost 140,000 followers after her filter malfunctioned during a livestream, click HERE.

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