Three years after officially declaring “retirement,” well-known TV host Li Xiang had her accounts on various platforms such as Weibo, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu banned from following on January 16th, with over 10 companies under her name already deregistered. The news has sparked significant attention and discussions.
As a pioneer in live-streaming sales in mainland China, Li Xiang has amassed a considerable following on Weibo, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu, with 24.56 million, 4.21 million, and 480 thousand fans respectively, showcasing her substantial influence across these platforms.
On January 16th, Li Xiang’s presence on all social media platforms was restricted from being “followed.” Although specific violations have not been publicly disclosed, netizens have started speculating about the reasons behind this sudden action. Some have pointed out that this synchronous, cross-platform action is unusual, suggesting potential intervention from regulatory authorities, citing possibilities related to the recent crackdown on similar incidents under the “Clean Up Action” of 2025.
Moreover, reports from multiple mainland Chinese media outlets citing information from “Qi Cha Cha” show that Li Xiang has affiliations with 20 companies, of which 6 are currently active while the remaining 14 have been deregistered. These companies include Li Xiang (Shanghai) Film and Culture Studio, Hunan Mango Media Co., Ltd., covering industries such as leasing, business services, culture, sports, and entertainment, with Li Xiang holding various positions such as shareholder, executive director, and general manager.
Reports suggest that speculations from the public hint at financial and tax-related issues, suspecting fund transfers overseas; another speculation revolves around a privacy infringement controversy, with no impact on her daughter Wang Shiling, from her previous marriage with director Wang Yuelun.
Public records show that Li Xiang was born in 1976 in Changsha, Hunan Province, and graduated from the Communication University of China. She was previously married to director Wang Yuelun, and they divorced in 2021, sharing a daughter named Wang Shiling.
Despite their divorce, Li Xiang and Wang Yuelun have established new joint investment companies in recent years, such as Changsha Li Mei Entertainment Technology Co., Ltd. founded in 2024 (with Li Xiang holding 99% ownership and Wang Yuelun 1% as legal representative), and Hunan Jinkaiyan Film and Media Co., Ltd. established in 2025 (with Li Xiang holding 99% ownership and Wang Yuelun 1%).
In late 2024, Li Xiang posted a photo wearing a ring on her ring finger, accompanied by a family photo with Wang Yuelun and their daughter, sparking speculations about a potential remarriage between them.
Li Xiang is a renowned TV host, producer, and filmmaker in mainland China. She rose to national fame in 1997 hosting the popular variety show “Happy Camp” on Hunan TV, and further solidified her career with hosting “Super Girl” from 2005 to 2006, propelling the program to success. She has been honored multiple times with the “Golden Microphone Award” in the Chinese broadcasting and hosting industry, earning her the title of “Queen of Variety Shows.”
Later, Li Xiang transitioned from being in front of the camera to behind-the-scenes and into the business sector. In 2013, she served as the Deputy Director of Shenzhen TV, and in 2016, she joined 360 Qihoo as Vice President and Chief Content Officer, overseeing the company’s film and content business, eventually promoted to CEO of 360 Entertainment in May of the same year.
In 2019, Li Xiang made her debut in live-streaming sales with the theme “First Public Sharing of Personal Favorites,” becoming one of the first well-known hosts to venture into this domain. In August 2023, Li Xiang officially announced her retirement on Weibo, shifting her focus to her life and the upbringing of her daughter Wang Shiling, often seen attending events together embodying her philosophy of enriching education, sparking widespread discussions among the public.
Li Xiang’s recent engagement with artist Zhang Yixing at the Pakistan Embassy in China has drawn significant attention from netizens. The Pakistan Embassy in China stated on January 14th that the duo participated in discussions on further deepening cultural and human ties between China and Pakistan.
The restrictions on Li Xiang’s various social media platforms have led to heightened interest among the public. When queried by mainland media outlet “Jimu News,” Xiaohongshu stated they would verify the situation, Douyin mentioned their inability to provide information, while Weibo explained, “This user has been prohibited from being followed due to violation of laws, regulations, or the Weibo Community Convention,” without specifying the exact reasons.
Of note is the mysterious death of mainland actor Yu Menglong in Beijing last September, with widespread suspicions about the cause of his passing, suggesting he might have been a victim of hidden rules. His former talent agency, “Tianyu Media,” faced resistance following his death, and “Tianyu Media” is a subsidiary of Mango Hypermedia under Hunan TV. After the Yu Menglong incident, shares of “Mango Hypermedia” plummeted, resulting in a decline in the number of shareholders. Rumors indicate that Li Xiang invested 700 million RMB to stabilize “Mango Hypermedia,” sparking discussions and entangling Li Xiang in controversy.