Chinese host Xie Na demands apology from singer Joker Xue over remarks about husband Zhang Jie

Xie, 45, posted the demand on Weibo on Tuesday, directly addressing Xue.

She said 44-year-old Zhang, whom she married in 2011, had long been the target of online criticism stemming from Xue’s remarks and that the issue had resurfaced following renewed public discussion of his past comments, according to AsiaOne.

“All these years you enjoyed the benefits of popularity because of your wits, while hurting innocent people! Furthermore, you never once apologize,” she wrote. “I only ask one thing from you. Please face up to your words and deeds and formally apologize to Zhang Jie, who was wrongly implicated by you.”

The controversy was reignited after internet personality Li Yutong published a series of posts on Weibo on Monday saying she intended to reveal details about Xue. In one of the now-deleted posts, she alleged that the singer once described Zhang’s songs as “old-fashioned” while calling his own music “trendy.”

Chinese singer-songwriter Joker Xue. Photo from Xue’s Weibo

Li previously said she and Xue were business partners in a fashion brand launched in 2012. When Xue reconciled with his ex-wife in 2017, Li publicly accused him of cheating and forcing her to have an abortion. According to Yahoo! Life SingaporeLi also claimed that the dispute had caused her to suffer from depression for 12 years. Xue filed several defamation lawsuits against Li but later withdrew them.

Following Li’s recent posts, online users revisited remarks Xue made during a 2017 appearance on the Chinese stand-up comedy show “Roast!,” which many interpreted as targeting Zhang.

“You said I would do anything for my music. What? Am I that kind of person? Am I someone without principles?” Xue, now 43, said during the program.

“As a singer, firstly, I didn’t terminate my management contract early. Secondly, I don’t steal or rob others. Thirdly, I didn’t find a rich girlfriend to help me release albums. Fourthly, I didn’t find a girlfriend who is more popular than me to support me. Am I wrong? Have you mistaken me for someone else?”

Both Zhang and Xue competed in the 2004 singing competition “My Style, My Show.” While Xue withdrew from the contest, Zhang went on to win the title and begin his professional music career.

Zhang later competed in the talent show “Super Boy” in 2007, finishing fourth. His participation reportedly violated a contract with his then-management company, resulting in a financial penalty.

Over the following years, Zhang built a strong reputation as a vocalist, particularly through drama soundtracks such as the theme song for the television series “Eternal Love” and songs featured in dramas including “My Journey to You” and “Lost You Forever.”

In her post, Xie also defended Zhang’s decision to join “Super Boy,” saying he entered the competition because he had few opportunities to continue performing at the time.

“From the registration and auditions, he relied on himself for each performance,” she wrote, adding that Zhang’s later success came through persistence and talent.

Best known for co-hosting the variety show “Happy Camp,” Xie holds the Guinness World Record for being the first person to accumulate 100 million followers on Weibo, as well as the record for the most followers on the platform.

Xue, one of the most-streamed Mandopop artists, is known for his emotionally driven vocal style, with music spanning ballads, rock and R&B.