Chinese-Canadian superstar Kris Wu has seen his deals suspended with various international brands – including Louis Vuitton and Porsche – after allegations emerged accusing the rapper of sex abuse. The claims allege that Wu lured underage girls into committing acts of a sexual nature.
Wu is one of China’s biggest celebrities, and he has even appeared in Hollywood films, including XXX: Return of Xander Cage alongside Vin Diesel. He boasts over 50 million followers on his Weibo account and has released one solo album since returning to China after leaving K-pop collective EXO.
19-year-old Du Meizhu made the claims that 30-year-old Wu enticed her to visit his house when she was 17 and told her it was for an audition. She was a fan and obliged. However, it is then alleged that Wu then gave her copious amounts of alcohol before having sex with her after she had passed out.
Du has given a video interview with the Chinese publication NetEase, which has been viewed over 1.66 billion times on Weibo. Additionally, in the discussion, Du said she knew of at least eight other women, including two minors who had the same experience with Wu.
Global Times has stated that Wu previously tried to pay Du about 500,000 yuan ($77,166) in hush money to not go public with her story. She is planning to start legal proceedings against Wu.
Wu has categorically denied all the accusations and revealed he was filing a defamation suit.
As one of China’s most recognisable faces, Wu is an ambassador for brands including Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Porsche, Lancôme, L’Oréal, Kans, Master Kong Iced Tea Tuborg Brewery, Liby, Vatti, and streaming service Tencent Video.
Now, those brands have come out and distanced themselves from the musician. Louis Vuitton took to Weibo to say it “takes the allegations against Kris Wu very seriously and has suspended its relationship with Kris Wu until the outcome of the judicial investigation is known.” Bulgari and Porsche have also ended their relationship.
On Monday, Wu acknowledged the allegations on Weibo: “I didn’t respond earlier because I didn’t want to interfere with judicial proceedings… but I cannot bear it anymore.”
He admitted he did meet Du at a friend’s party but denied everything else she said. “If I’ve done any of the things [she claims], I will take myself to jail,” he added.
The case continues.
