Shanghai Jinshan District Court recently released a public announcement through the corporate information system “Tianyancha” indicating that Dongfeng Infiniti Automobile Co., Ltd. filed a lawsuit against Wang Leehom and Xidong Music (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (referred to as Xidong Music) for damages compensation dispute. The court hearing is scheduled for April 28th.
According to public information, Wang Leehom is the legal representative and executive director of Xidong Music. Xidong Music was established in December 2019 with a registered capital of 2 million yuan. The company is currently represented by Wang Leehom in mainland China.
In previous reports, on December 15, 2021, Wang Leehom announced his divorce. On the evening of the 17th, his ex-wife Li Jinglei posted a lengthy statement on Instagram and Weibo, which was dubbed by the public as a “devastating exposé,” accusing Wang Leehom of infidelity and alleging that she was subjected to “humiliation and emotional abuse” by Wang’s family.
Despite Wang Leehom denying these accusations in his response, the incident sparked a huge controversy. In the early hours of the 18th, Infiniti announced on Weibo: “We are terminating our cooperation with Mr. Wang Leehom effective immediately.” It was later confirmed that the brand was seeking 20 million yuan in compensation from Wang.
Notably, on December 16, 2021, at 2:00 p.m., Infiniti officially announced Wang Leehom as their brand spokesperson. The termination of the contract occurred only 35 hours later. At that time, some netizens in China commented, “Witnessed the shortest-lived endorsement in history.” On the same day, Wang Leehom also attended the launch event of the new generation QX60 by Infiniti in Guangzhou, marking his first public appearance since announcing his divorce. Subsequently, at least six brands, including “Dushulan” and “Chow Tai Fook Jewellery,” announced the termination or suspension of cooperation with Wang Leehom.
According to mainland Chinese media “Caijing.com,” even if celebrities compensate companies, it cannot make up for the damage caused to the corporate image due to the public’s diminished perception of the celebrity. They believe that having celebrities endorse products now involves greater risks and lesser returns, which may prompt companies to adjust their strategies of “riding on the coattails of stars.”
Wang Leehom, who has been banned in mainland China, was previously praised as a “high-quality idol” by the Chinese Communist Party. In his early career mainly in China, Wang Leehom frequently participated in CCP’s red cultural performances and sang for propagandist dramas. On September 22, 2024, at the “Bay Area Bright Moon” Greater Bay Area Film and Music Gala held in Macau, Wang Leehom performed his song “Our Song,” marking his return to Chinese television screens for the first time after the Li Jinglei incident.
Public records show that Wang Leehom, born in the United States in 1976, holds dual nationality of the United States and the Republic of China. He is a Mandarin pop singer, musician, actor, and director known for his hit songs like “Big City, Small Love” and “The One,” as well as for directing and starring in the romantic film “Love Announcement.”