Douyin Denies Reports of 900 Million Yuan Signing Deal With Jay Chou

In a move sending ripples through China’s digital entertainment landscape, rumors have emerged that Taiwanese music icon Jay Chou is set to join ByteDance’s Douyin. Social media buzz ignited over claims of a staggering nine-figure yuan signing fee circulating online.

Douyin officials moved swiftly to address the speculation, with a senior executive denying the reports as unfounded. “The alleged nine-digit signing amount is baseless and represents misinformation,” the representative asserted, avoiding any specific comments on negotiations to maintain corporate confidentiality amid intensifying competition in China’s short-video market.

Amid the swirl of discussions, unofficial channels reported that Jay Chou’s official fan club confirmed via WeChat that a private Douyin account linked to the artist already exists, adding credence to his imminent presence on the platform without disclosing formal deal terms.

The unpublicized account, identified by the username “@周同学,” (“Uncle Zhou”) features a singer verification badge and displays an avatar consistent with Chou’s signature anime-style branding from past promotions—a subtle indicator fans quickly seized upon as authentic.

This potential shift revives discussion around Chou’s proven star power in social media campaigns. In a high-profile 2020 debut on competitor platform Kuaishou, his “Uncle Zhou” account soared to over 10 million followers within days, underscoring his ability to drive traffic. His exclusive 2022 “Bro Concert” live stream on the same platform further demonstrated mass market appeal, drawing record viewership after a three-year performance hiatus.

The buzz highlights the strategic value of celebrity endorsements in China’s $100B short-video industry, where platforms like Douyin vie aggressively for A-list affiliates to bolster user engagement and advertising revenues—though official costs remain tightly guarded commercial secrets.