On February 18, the Chinese showbiz was shaken by the official divorce announcement of Michelle Chen and Chen Xiao. After years of countless breakup rumors, the couple has finally ended their marriage. Looking back, the signs of the two’s crumbling relationship had been evident to many. Some even speculate that they might have already split in 2023, but only made it public in 2025.
What caught even more attention was that the divorce statement from both actors did not disclose any reason for their breakup. This fueled intense speculation on Weibo, especially since a top paparazzo once hinted that the reason for their divorce was “too shocking to be revealed.”
Obvious Distance on Social Media & Unusual Silence
Since early 2023, many netizens noticed that Michelle Chen and Chen Xiao had stopped interacting on social media, even on special occasions. On Michelle Chen’s birthday in May 2023, Chen Xiao did not post a birthday message for her, although he was still present at her birthday party.
Likewise, when Chen Xiao’s birthday came in July 2023 and throughout 2024, Michelle Chen did not publicly send him a birthday wish like she had in previous years. This is notable as since their marriage in 2016, the actress had never skipped celebrating her husband’s birthday online. Their wedding anniversary, Valentine’s Day, and even Chinese Valentine’s Day (Qixi Festival) also passed in complete silence, raising further suspicions.
Even more notably, throughout 2024, amid intense divorce rumors in the Chinese entertainment industry, both Chen Xiao and Michelle Chen remained silent—even as cheating speculations surrounded them. Chen Xiao was rumored to be involved with Zhang Liying, while Michelle Chen was suspected of having an affair with Peng Guanying.
Their silence this time was in stark contrast to their responses in 2018 and 2020. In 2018, when Michelle Chen was accused of cheating with Anthony Neely, leading to rumors of a marriage crisis just two years after their wedding, she immediately refuted it. In 2020, when Chen Xiao was rumored to be having an affair with Jelly Lin (Lin Yun) after starring in “A Dream of Splendor,” Michelle Chen personally defended her husband.
However, this time, no denial came from either of them, further fueling speculation about the real reason behind their shocking divorce.
Therefore, the public suspected that their marriage ended due to betrayal.
Chen Xiao Even Skipped Father-in-law’s Funeral?
According to media outlet 163, Chen Xiao’s cold and distant attitude was the clearest sign that his relationship with Michelle Chen had fallen apart as early as May 2023. At that time, the actor attended his wife’s birthday party but avoided interacting with her, focusing only on their son. Michelle Chen’s birthday was also the last time Chen Xiao was seen in the same frame with his wife and child.
The last time Chen Xiao appeared in a photo with Michelle Chen and their son was in May 2023. However, he only took care of their child while avoiding any interaction with his wife.
By June 2024, well-known blogger and paparazzo, Jiang, reported that Chen Xiao had requested a divorce from Michelle Chen at the end of 2023. The actor did not specify the reason for wanting to end the marriage, but he allegedly told Michelle Chen directly that he was willing to leave with nothing, refusing any share of their assets, just to get out of the marriage.
After that, Chen Xiao moved out and completely cut off contact with Michelle Chen and their son. He even changed his phone number and blocked Michelle Chen on social media. As a result, Michelle Chen could only reach him through his staff, friends, or lawyers when necessary. Chinese media also reported that throughout 2024, Chen Xiao spent most of his time on set filming new projects. Even during his free time, he would go out with friends instead of returning home to his wife and son.
Notably, Ruby Lin, a close friend of Michelle Chen, revealed that during the 2024 Lunar New Year, she only saw Michelle Chen bring her son back to Taiwan, with no sign of Chen Xiao.
In early September 2024, Michelle Chen’s father passed away. Close colleagues such as Joe Chen and Rainie Yang, along with many fans, sent their condolences and words of encouragement to Michelle Chen during this difficult time. However, Chen Xiao—her husband and son-in-law—remained completely silent. He did not offer any public condolences or messages of support for Michelle Chen, nor did he express any tribute to his late father-in-law. Instead of traveling to Taiwan to attend the funeral with Michelle Chen, he continued filming his new project.
Michelle Chen Hinted about Broken Marriage?
At the end of 2023, during Rainie Yang’s concert, Michelle Chen burst into tears while her close friend was performing the song “Anonymous Friend” on stage. Taiwanese media later speculated that her emotional state was related to her marriage with Chen Xiao. This was also around the time when blogger Jiang revealed that Chen Xiao had asked for a divorce from Michelle Chen.
In response to public speculation, Michelle Chen denied the rumors, stating that she cried because she was touched by Rainie Yang’s heartfelt performance. However, the public remained doubtful about her explanation. The reason was that not long before, while appearing on the show “Love Actually,” Michelle Chen caused a stir when she revealed that Chen Xiao was like two different people before and after marriage. The Taiwanese actress shared that she had never received any gifts from her husband on special occasions. In contrast, before marriage, Chen Xiao was very romantic and often surprised her with grand gestures. His cold attitude after their wedding made her feel neglected.
Michelle Chen shed tears at Rainie Yang’s concert.
By April 2024, paparazzi released a video showing Michelle Chen looking exhausted and downcast, dressed casually while taking her son to school. Four months later, amid growing divorce rumors, Michelle Chen removed her wedding ring. By the end of 2024, netizens discovered that Chen Xiao and Michelle Chen had made separate donations for the Tibet earthquake relief effort.
The actress appeared withdrawn and weary in April 2024, while taking her son to school
The final sign confirming that Michelle Chen and Chen Xiao’s marriage had officially ended came during the recent Lunar New Year. The couple was found to have spent the holiday apart. Michelle Chen’s social media IP address showed she was in Beijing, while Chen Xiao’s IP location was in his hometown, Anhui, throughout the holiday season.
Notably, in a previous TV show appearance, Michelle Chen had stated that since getting married, she had always spent Lunar New Year at her husband’s hometown. Chinese media speculated that Michelle Chen had completely severed ties with her in-laws and cut off contact with Chen Xiao. That was why this year, she spent the holiday in Beijing with her son.
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