rumors

Rumors of Jay Chou joining ByteDance’s Douyin with a **nine-figure yuan** signing fee sparked speculation, but officials denied the claims as “baseless misinformation.” Unofficial reports noted a verified private Douyin account (“@周同学”) linked to Chou, featuring his iconic branding. The artist previously demonstrated massive appeal on rival platform Kuaishou, gaining 10M+ followers in days (2020) and breaking viewership records with a 2022 concert livestream. The controversy underscores the high-stakes competition for celebrity partnerships in China’s $100B short-video sector, where A-list endorsements drive user engagement and ad revenue.

Xiaohongshu has officially denied rumors of an acquisition by Alibaba, labeling the speculation as “groundless.” This isn’t the first time such rumors have surfaced, with similar claims made in 2019. Xiaohongshu, founded in 2013, has seen its valuation reportedly surge to $26 billion, a significant increase from its previous $17 billion valuation at the end of 2023. Alibaba has not yet commented on the reports.

Rumors circulated online about “Feng,” a former Xiaomi executive, leading to speculation about demanding contracts. Xiaomi responded, clarifying that “Feng” was employed for two months in 2016 as a cafeteria worker, responsible for chopping vegetables, not an executive. He was terminated for absenteeism. The official statement debunked the rumors, generating amusement and surprise among social media users.

Fat Donglai refuted rumors of mass store closures, clarifying that founder Yu Donglai’s remarks about past closures were taken out of context. The retailer, which reported $1.56 billion in sales, highlighted strong financial performance and revealed generous employee perks, including an average monthly salary of $1240 and plans for a 36-hour work week with 40 days of annual leave.

Rumors surrounding Elon Musk having a child with a Japanese pop star, potentially Ayumi Hamasaki, have surfaced online, fueled by speculation and hints from his ex-girlfriend. Hamasaki has denied the claims. This speculation comes amidst reports suggesting Musk has many children, further stirred by a journalist’s claim that the number is far beyond the known figure.

ByteDance has denied rumors suggesting that internships are linked to bank deposits. The company clarified that its internship selection is based on established recruitment criteria and objective processes. These rumors emerged from reports of an internship program offered by Industrial Bank, allegedly targeting high-net-worth clients’ children, which has since been removed. ByteDance’s official 2025 internship program offers over 4,000 opportunities with potential full-time employment.