Chinese television personality Xie Na, one of the country’s most recognisable entertainers, has found herself at the centre of a fierce online backlash after her ambitions of becoming a concert performer were met with widespread criticism.For over two decades, Xie Na was a household name as one of the main hosts of the hugely popular variety show Happy Camp. Although she occasionally appeared in dramas, it was her energetic personality and comedic style that made her one of China’s biggest television stars, BBC reported.Despite her success as a host, Xie had long dreamed of becoming a singer. In April, she announced her first solo concert tour on Chinese social media platform Weibo, saying she finally had the opportunity to seriously pursue that dream.A dream start in ChengduTickets for her debut concerts in Chengdu sold out within minutes, leaving even Xie surprised by the overwhelming response. The May concerts were warmly received by fans, featuring nostalgic performances and guest appearances by several celebrity friends.Confident after the positive reception, she announced plans for a nationwide concert tour, with Beijing scheduled as the next stop.Online criticism quickly escalatedMany social media users questioned whether Xie possessed the vocal ability required to headline concerts. Others argued that her Chengdu performances relied heavily on appearances by famous friends rather than her own musical talent.Some critics accused her of using her celebrity status simply to generate more income instead of genuinely pursuing music.Refund initiatedTicket prices for the concert reportedly ranged from 380 yuan to 1,180 yuan (Rs 5,335 to Rs 16,560).Over the weekend, organisers announced that Xie’s Beijing concert had been cancelled and promised full refunds to ticket holders.Neither Xie nor her team explained the reason behind the cancellation, and it remains unclear whether authorities played any direct role in the decision.
