Once a powerhouse of Chinese cinema, Huang Xiaoming is now grappling with a significant career crisis after publicly dating social media star Ye Ke. Their relationship has become tabloid fodder, not due to personal disputes but because Ye Ke frequently exploits her boyfriend’s fame, offending a significant portion of the entertainment industry.
To address the worsening situation, Huang Xiaoming recently broke his silence at the premiere of his new movie The Man with the Wig. Fighting back tears, he expressed regret over the controversies caused by Ye Ke:
“I am deeply saddened and feel apologetic to everyone. My current emotional state is unstable, and I fear my personal issues might affect the film. I am grateful to the friends and colleagues who are here with me today. I desperately need your support. I have read your messages, and I will do my best to handle all personal matters appropriately. Finally, I bow and sincerely apologize to everyone.”
His visibly haggard appearance and exhausted demeanor have left fans and colleagues concerned about his well-being.
On September 19, Huang Xiaoming shocked Asia by confirming his relationship with Ye Ke via a Weibo post:
“Sorry for occupying public resources. Please stop speculating—we’re together now,” he wrote, tagging Ye Ke.
However, instead of supporting her partner’s career, Ye Ke’s actions have placed the actor in a precarious position.
According to reports from QQ, Ye Ke’s livestreams often spark heated debates. She once criticized Wu Bai’s songs as “vulgar,” angering the respected veteran singer, who retorted:
“I’ve sung for half my life, and this is the first time someone has said that about my music.”
Additionally, on Jolin Tsai and David Tao’s birthdays, Ye Ke brazenly dismissed their music as “crazy and difficult to sing,” adding fuel to the fire.
Since going public with Ye Ke, Huang Xiaoming has frequently trended on social media, not for acclaimed work but for scandals linked to his girlfriend. Rumors accuse Ye Ke of attending “gold-digger” training courses, having a history as a mistress, and allegedly blackmailing Huang Xiaoming with a pregnancy to prevent a breakup, demanding a staggering 270 million yuan (approximately $37 million USD).
Public outrage has spilled over into Huang Xiaoming’s career. His recent drama Red Heat performed poorly, with ratings hovering around 0.8%—far below CCTV8’s usual baseline of 1.4%-1.5%. The controversies surrounding Ye Ke have left audiences disinterested in the actor’s work, with netizens harshly criticizing his acting, the script, and his character portrayals.
After over two decades of building a solid reputation, Huang Xiaoming’s public favor has plummeted within mere months due to a partner described as manipulative and lacking emotional intelligence. Fans and critics alike are left questioning whether the actor can recover from the damage inflicted on both his personal life and professional career.