On October 3, 2025, mainland Chinese male star Xiao Zhan attended a film music event in Macau. During the event, while sitting in the audience after his performance, a stranger emerged from a table behind him and approached him for an autograph. Despite Xiao Zhan politely declining multiple times, the woman persisted for nearly a minute before event staff intervened, leading to an awkward moment that sparked discussions among netizens.
In footage circulating online, Xiao Zhan can be seen seated in the audience, enjoying the performances on stage, when a stranger approached him from behind, holding a piece of paper and requesting his signature. Xiao Zhan initially appeared startled before awkwardly smiling and politely waving off the request.
Following this, Xiao Zhan continued to politely decline the request and offer explanations, but the woman remained by his table, refusing to leave and persisting for about a minute. Hong Kong singer Joey Yung, seated nearby, seemed to sense something was amiss and silently signaled for Xiao Zhan’s manager, who was preparing to intervene when event staff arrived and escorted the woman away, diffusing the standoff.
After the video of Xiao Zhan declining the autograph request circulated, reactions among netizens were mixed. Some accused him of arrogance and threatened to unfollow him, while others believed that Xiao Zhan’s refusal may have been due to security concerns. They reasoned that granting one autograph could lead to a cascade of similar requests, potentially causing chaos. Therefore, many supported Xiao Zhan’s decision not to sign for the woman, expressing gratitude to Joey Yung and the manager for their assistance.
Some netizens speculated that the woman requesting the autograph with a blank piece of paper may have posed legal risks, as the signature could be misused. Additionally, since it was not a fan meeting, they considered Xiao Zhan’s polite refusal to be a wise choice.
In reality, Xiao Zhan rarely gives out autographs casually, as there have been cases in the entertainment industry where celebrities’ signatures were stolen and misused.
According to reports from mainland media, in November 2023, well-known host Zhu Dan revealed on the variety show “Love Study Tour” that she had signed her name on a blank piece of paper out of trust for a friend, only to fall victim to a major financial scam. Zhu Dan had to use all her savings to repay her friend’s debt. Despite winning the lawsuit against the friend, who declared bankruptcy, Zhu Dan was left to shoulder all the debt, leading to the loss of her millions in assets. This case caused a sensation in China.
The 33-year-old Xiao Zhan rose to stardom in Chinese dramas such as “The Untamed” and “Joy of Life,” becoming a top-tier star in the mainland. His latest drama “The Wind Blows in Changlin” has been a hot topic since its premiere this year, with his looks, acting skills, and every move garnering attention.