Once hailed as China’s “nation’s center” and one of the few female idols to break into top-tier stardom, Meng Meiqi’s rise and fall paints a cautionary tale of fame, scandal, and the unforgiving nature of the entertainment industry.
From Obscurity in Korea to Stardom at Home
Born in 1998 in Luoyang, Henan, Meng Meiqi trained in South Korea under Starship Entertainment and Yuehua Entertainment, debuting in 2016 as a member of the K-pop girl group WJSN (Cosmic Girls). Despite a string of positive releases like Secret and I Wish, the group remained relatively unnoticed amid intense competition. With stronger fan-attracting members like Bona and Yeonjung, Meiqi struggled to gain standout recognition.
Everything changed in 2018 when she returned to China to compete in Produce 101 China. With striking visuals and dance prowess, Meiqi soared through the rankings and ultimately won first place, debuting as the center of Rocket Girls 101. Their debut EP Collide Into The World broke records, selling over 1.2 million copies within days and cementing Meiqi’s status as a breakout star.
Her solo debut Jiang, sold over a million copies in just 20 minutes and nearly 2.5 million overall, becoming QQ Music’s best-selling digital album of 2019. She followed up with Love Not Love and starred in OSTs, variety shows, and dance competitions, even winning Masked Dancing King. Between 2019 and 2021, she was at the peak of her fame, one of the only female idols to rank alongside top-tier male “liuliang” stars in music.
A Career Destroyed by Scandal
In October 2021, Meng Meiqi was exposed as a “side chick” after allegations surfaced that she had interfered in the relationship between music producer Chen Lingtao and his then-girlfriend. A woman claiming to be Chen’s ex released messages and photos alleging that Meiqi knowingly entered into a romantic relationship with him while he was still dating her. Screenshots indicated Meiqi initiated contact, arranged secret meetings, and celebrated birthdays together.
Meiqi admitted to having dated Chen but denied being a homewrecker, claiming she was told he was single. Despite issuing a public apology, the public was unforgiving.
Following this, rumors of Meiqi’s “wild past” resurfaced, allegations of underage smoking, promiscuity, and leaked 18+ photos circulated online. Former fans accused her of similar behavior dating back to school years, and public backlash was swift and brutal.
Struggling for Relevance Amid Blacklisting
Though Meiqi tried to resume her career, posting rehearsal videos, promoting concerts, and starring in new films, she was met with widespread criticism. Netizens accused her of being tone-deaf, unapologetic, and shameless in her attempts to return. Even with corporate backing from Yuehua Entertainment, one of China’s largest agencies, her efforts fell flat.
Concerts flopped. Music sales plummeted. Acting performances were panned as stiff and unconvincing. The industry turned its back, enforcing an unofficial blacklist, while the public continued to boycott her work. Despite the resources and legacy of being Yuehua’s most famous female artist, Meiqi has yet to reclaim her place in the spotlight.
Today, Meng Meiqi continues to share updates on her social media, but the once roaring applause has been replaced by echoes of a past glory. The idol who once topped charts and ruled stages now finds herself largely ignored by the industry she once helped define.
You must be logged in to post a comment.