Zhao Meng, bassist of rock band New Pants. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Her performance wrapped up by delivering virtuoso play as a bassist, was greeted with screams of admiration from the other competitors and ecstatic approval from fans. "When she steps on stage, girl power is right there. She is so cool, cooler than many men," commented a fan under Zhao's social media, Sina Weibo platform, which has about 750,000 followers. Some of the fans call Zhao "Meng jie" or sister Meng. "No one can say no to Meng jie. She is so powerful and sparkles onstage," said another fan.

In the reality show, since all the contestants live and train together, their casual lifestyles are captured by the cameras. In one shooting scene, Zhao walked downstairs with two chairs in her hands. Suddenly, she lost her balance and fell.

"All of the people on the scene, including the other contestants and staff members behind the camera, rushed to me immediately, caring about my situation. I was very embarrassed and ashamed," recalls Zhao.

"My public image as a cool rocker no longer exists," she jokes.