昔日ame and Scandal: When Public Figures Face Marital Turmoil
Years ago, Li Jiage rose to prominence as a contestant on The Voice of China, guided by mentor Na Ying, ultimately securing a spot in the national top 16. Ironically, fate would later intertwine their personal lives in an unexpected way—both women found themselves entangled in strikingly similar scandals involving their partners, with the phrase 1"lacking a sense of boundaries1" becoming a notorious refrain for questionable behavior.
On September 10, Na Ying's husband, Meng Tong, became the subject of heated discussion when rumors of his infidelity surfaced online. The situation took a swift turn when he dismissed the allegations, claiming the woman in question was merely a neighbor, though he acknowledged his own 1"lack of boundaries.1" Before the public could fully process this incident, another scandal emerged the following day—this time involving Li Jiage's ex-husband, Che Che.
A video circulated showing Che Che embracing female rapper Naiwan, even patting her head in a manner that suggested undue familiarity. While Naiwan appeared visibly stiff, she did not reject his advances. As a married man at the time, Che Che's behavior was widely criticized, compounded by the revelation that he had also been caught urinating in public—a detail that disgusted onlookers. Perhaps taking cues from Meng Tong's earlier statement, Che Che attributed his actions to drunkenness and poor judgment.
Li Jiage swiftly responded to the controversy, clarifying that she and Che Che had already divorced. Her statement was straightforward: since their relationship had ended, the scandal should not involve her. Rumors of their separation had circulated as early as July, though they had previously gone unnoticed. However, the timing of her announcement—coinciding with Che Che's scandal—led some to speculate that she was subtly accusing him of infidelity. Even her choice of a green hat during a livestream was interpreted as a veiled jab at his alleged betrayal.
Further scrutiny revealed that Che Che and Naiwan had been seen embracing on multiple occasions, including instances where Li Jiage was present. In one clip, Naiwan appeared to hesitate before retracting an attempted reciprocal embrace upon noticing Li Jiage nearby. This fueled speculation that Naiwan might have played a role in the couple's separation, casting her as an unwitting 1"third party.1"
Known for her bluntness, Naiwan promptly denied any involvement in the divorce, asserting that the dissolution of their marriage had nothing to do with her. While Li Jiage had no obligation to defend Naiwan, the rapper's statement inadvertently redirected public scrutiny back onto Li Jiage, with some accusing her of misleading the audience. The situation highlighted an unsettling pattern: two women faced backlash for a man's misconduct, while Che Che himself avoided significant accountability.
Despite promising Naiwan in private messages that he would address the controversy publicly, Che Che offered only a cursory apology in her comment section, refusing to issue a formal statement. His half-hearted response further eroded public sympathy. Observers noted that Li Jiage's mother had long disapproved of the marriage—a sentiment that now seemed justified.
In contrast to Li Jiage's proactive approach, Na Ying remained conspicuously absent from the public discourse. Known for her outspokenness and unfiltered remarks, Na Ying had built a reputation for facing conflicts head-on. Yet when faced with her husband's scandal, she chose silence, even locking her social media accounts. Her studio continued posting routine updates, deliberately avoiding any mention of the controversy.
This was not the first time Meng Tong had been embroiled in infidelity rumors. In the past, Na Ying had fiercely defended him, but this time, her prolonged silence puzzled many. Compared to her decisive split with former partner Gao Feng after his betrayal, her reluctance to address Meng Tong's actions seemed uncharacteristic.
The public remains divided on how best to handle such personal crises. Li Jiage's swift divorce announcement, intended to distance herself from the scandal, instead dragged her deeper into controversy. Na Ying's silence, meanwhile, could be interpreted as self-preservation—a refusal to engage with a narrative beyond her control. In the end, both women became collateral damage in a saga that says more about public scrutiny than private truth.
