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Several brands have ended cooperation with Chinese American singer-songwriter Wang Leehom after his estranged wife alleged he had extramarital affairs and solicited prostitutes during their marriage.
On Friday night, Wang's wife Li Jinglei posted a long article on the Sina Weibo social media platform saying that she had been living under constant emotional abuse and humiliation from Wang and his family for years and the singer had friends with benefits in many cities, including one married woman.
Li said she had kept silent because she wanted their three children to grow up in a happy and harmonious family, but Wang had been absent on their children's birthdays and other important holidays. Wang and his team also manipulated opinions to reduce negative news and scandals to help him maintain a good image, she said.
The post quickly went viral, being reposted almost 640,000 times and liked almost 12 million times by Sunday night.
Netizens rallied behind Li and said her article was powerful and logical. They also joked that Wang should receive an Oscar for acting as a good man and super idol for so many years.
Japanese car brand Infiniti announced early on Saturday that it was terminating its two-day-old cooperative relationship with Wang.
The move was followed by Readboy, one of the largest manufacturers of electronic learning products in China, and skin care product maker Tatcha.
Chow Tai Seng Jewellery said on Saturday that its advertising cooperation agreement with Wang had expired on Nov. 30 and would not be renewed.
In 2013, Wang announced on Sina Weibo that he had married Li, then a graduate student at Columbia University. They have two daughters, one born in 2014 and the other in 2016, and a son who was born in 2018.
Wang said in a Sina Weibo post that he and Li had filed for divorce on Wednesday.
Jinglei's and my private lives are simple so I will not respond to requests for comment from any media, he said. I have performed inadequately in our marriage, which I deeply regret, but we will remain a family forever.
Wang has not responded directly to Li's allegations.
Wang is a graduate of Williams College in the United States and has honorary doctorates from Williams College and the Berklee College of Music. Since debuting in 1995, he has released dozens of albums that have sold millions of copies.
China Women's News said in an editorial on Saturday that immoral celebrities will only be famous for short period of time and cannot enjoy long-lasting fame.
In another editorial published on Sunday, the newspaper called for the building of a guarantee system to ensure women can return to the work force if they are subjected to marital abuse.
