Wang Leehom recovers from being cancelled in China

Wang Leehom is a singer, songwriter, actor, producer, and film director of Taiwanese descent. Despite previously being cancelled due to his bitter custody battle with his ex-wife Lee Jinglei, it appears that Chinese fans have forgiven the star.

Wang Leehom was born on May 17, 1976 in Rochester, New York, to parents who had moved to the United States to further their education. Wang Leehom's family was musical, as his violin-playing older brother Leo Wang inspired him to pursue music as well.

Wang Leehom then went on to attend Williams College, where he majored in music and Asian studies and graduated with honours before continuing his music education at Berklee College of Music.

Wang Leehom visited relatives in Taiwan in 1995 and entered a music talent competition while there. He then won the competition and was offered a recording contract with Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG), which also happened to be the competition's host!

Wang Leehom's music career took off after signing with BMG in Taiwan, where he established himself as a significant figure in Mandopop and ultimately became one of C-pop greatest talents.

Wang Leehom’s unique blend of pop, hip-hop, R&B, and traditional Chinese music ranging from folk to Peking opera has completely transformed the Chinese music scene, which deservedly earned him the title of ‘King of Chinese Pop’.

Beyond his music, Wang Leehom has also dabbled in acting and first acted in 2000 for ‘China Strike Force’, but only gained international recognition for his role as Kuang Yumin in Ang Lee’s 2007 film ‘Lust, Caution’.

Image: Focus Features

In 2013, Wang Leehom married Lee Jinglei, and the couple had three children: Jiali, Jiana, and Jiayao, who are currently eight, six, and four years old, respectively.

However, their seemingly blissful marriage hit a rough patch in 2021 when Lee Jinglei accused Wang Leehom in a shocking surprise expose on Instagram and Weibo of infidelity and bullying, leading to their divorce in December the same year according to a Channel News Asia report.

Image: jl.leilei / Instagram

According to AsiaOne, Wang Leehom was accused in her expose of having relations with Lee Jinglei while she was still a minor, serial infidelity before and during his marriage, and having affairs with stars Vivian Hsu and By2's Yumi Bai. The accusations shocked fans because Wang Leehom has always maintained a clean image throughout his career.

The divorce has now culminated in a custody dispute over their three children. From The Straits Times, Lee Jinglei has reportedly denied Wang Leehom visitation rights, leading him to express his anguish in his music.

Image: jl.leilei / Instagram

In an update to the scandal in 2023, AsiaOne reports that in a comeback concert held in January 2023 in Las Vegas, Wang Leehom performed a new song titled ‘See Each Other Whenever We Want To’ hinting at his longing to see his children. He later accused Lee Jinglei of breaching their custody agreement.

Image: jl.leilei / Instagram

South China Morning Post reports that Lee Jinglei retaliated by criticising Wang Leehom for playing the victim and exploiting their children for public sympathy for his return to showbizz.

Image: jl.leilei / Instagram

Lee Jinglei retaliation was sided by many netizens according to an 8days report, who also criticised the general public for having double standards in accepting the comebacks of disgraced male celebrities like Wang Leehom and his contemporaries Show Luo and Andy Hui so easily.

Image: jl.leilei / Instagram

Given the renewed focus on their custody dispute, it should be noted that Wang Leehom has taken Lee Jinglei to court in New York in July 2022 for violating their custody agreement. However, the outcome of the legal proceedings has been deferred to Taiwan instead after New York officials ruled the case an OSC for ‘Contempt of Court’.

As the custody battle in Taiwan continues with a re-hearing that was just held in May, recent images of Wang Leehom appearing in court revealed how the ordeal has worn him down, as 8days reported that the star has now appeared in court in a seemingly aged version, a stark contrast to his usually youthful appearance.

Image: wangleehom / Instagram

As the custody battle continues, the future of Wang Leehom's relationship with his children remains uncertain. Meanwhile, he continues to navigate his way through a challenging period in his personal life and career.

Despite the negative press surrounding him, Wang Leehom has continued to perform. Despite his recent divorce ruling in the United States, the singer has continued to hold concerts.

Image: wangleehom / Instagram

Wang Leehom appeared to bring the drama back to his performances in Taiwan, referencing the press surrounding his divorce. According to The Straits Times, he mentioned the rumours surrounding him and appeared to mock them.

Image: wangleehom / Instagram

However, mentioning the divorce drama appears to have offended not only his estranged wife Lee Jinglei, but also celebrities Pauline Lan and Jenny Tseng. Pauline Lan had even remarked that Wang Leehom should "concentrate on his singing" instead of adding more fuel to the fire.

Image: wangleehom / Instagram

Despite his dirty laundry and the threat of losing his career as a result of not only his ongoing custody battle but also offending other celebrities, Wang Leehom has emerged (unsurprisingly) unscathed. In fact, his career appears to be gaining traction.

Image: wangleehom / Instagram

According to 8days, in late December 2023, Chinese C-pop fans appeared to have forgotten about Wang Leehom's transgressions, as he received a "warm welcome" at his recent comeback concert in Nancheng.

Image: wangleehom / Instagram

The same report from 8days continues, stating fans also gave Wang Leehom a "hero's welcome" by aggressively renting out billboards in malls and subways to promote the singer.

Image: wangleehom / Instagram

Given the overwhelming support for Wang Leehom in China right now, it appears that everything has been swept under the rug and that the singer has managed to avoid being cancelled in China with little repercussion for his career.

Image: wangleehom / Instagram

However, several Weibo netizens have called for a boycott of "artists with a bad track record" like Wang Leehom. Others argue that his misdeeds should not overshadow his musical talent.

Image: wangleehom / Instagram

Interestingly, C-Entertainment fans seem to be quick to forgive most scandal-tainted male artists like Andy Hui, Show Luo, and Cai Xukun, while penalising female artists like Jacqueline Wong and Zheng Shuang.

Image: wangleehom / Instagram