Zha Zha accused of blackface during 2026 NBPL Spring Tournament

During the 2026 NBPL Spring Tournament for the battle royale game Naraka: Bladepoint, amateur commentator Zha Zha (also known as Cha Cha) drew a lot of attention with a striking stunt. The commentator appeared on screen with her skin fully painted black, leading to accusations of blackface, especially from a Western perspective.

Context and rise of the controversy

The second phase of the tournament took place in April 2026, where Zha Zha hosted the audience. However, her blackface appearance does not seem to have been just a random choice, but may be linked to earlier discussions about her wardrobe choices during broadcasts. Zha Zha has previously faced criticism and denied that she was ever forced to wear revealing outfits. In a statement on Weibo, she emphasized that her choice to wear a short skirt was made out of a desire to look better on camera.

The related stunt, in which she appeared painted black, caused a stir as it reignited debate over the clothing of female commentators. Critics saw her appearance as an attempt to push back against misogyny in the esports world.

Tactic in Naraka: Bladepoint

In the context of Naraka: Bladepoint, players often use darker tactics to camouflage themselves and hide more effectively from opponents. This phenomenon of choosing 'black skin' as part of strategy has been a topic of discussion in the game's community for years. Rumor has it that Zha Zha's choice to use black makeup was a nod to this tactic, which is widely accepted within the game, and may have been intended as a statement about the ongoing criticism of her appearance.

Reaction to the accusations

After the backlash, a lively debate emerged, especially on social media. Various users on platforms such as X shared their opinions on her appearance, with some seemingly missing the cultural context. Zha Zha did not explicitly respond to the blackface accusations, but it appears to remain an ongoing struggle for her to find her place in the male-dominated esports world.

The situation illustrates the complex interaction between culture, gender, and gaming. As the debate continues to unfold, both players and esports event organizers will undoubtedly take lessons from it.