In addition to using fake fireworks at Friday evening's grand opening of the Summer Games in Beijing, the ceremony also used the recorded voice of a young female singer who did not have impressive-enough looks to appear on the globally-broadcast show.

According to the Guardian Unlimited, nine-year-old Lin Miaoke, who sang "Ode to the Motherland" merely lip-synched. Seven-year old Yang Peiyi, who was considered not photogenic enough for international stardom, was the real voice behind the song.

Yang's physical shortcoming was her uneven teeth, considered normal among children her age.

Chen Qigang, the general music designer for the opening rite, said director Zhang Yimou asked for a very cute girl.

In an interview with a Beijing radio station, Chen admitted, "We made the decision that the voice we would use was Yang Peiyi's. The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feelings and expression... Lin Miaoke is excellent in those aspects. But in the aspect of voice, Yang Peiyi is flawless."

Lin has appeared in many TV commercials, but she appears to be unaware that the dub as her voice and Yang's were similar, Chen explained. Yang apparently did not mind not seeing her face on screen because her voice was heard, she told a CCTV reporter.

"I think it is fair to both Lin Miaoke and Yang Peiyi. That is to say, we have a perfect voice and a perfect image and representation -- in our team's view -- combined together," Chen added.