Prada and Panerai cut ties with Chinese ambassador Li Yifeng over prostitute visits
LONDON — Chinese actor Li Yifeng, muse of Prada, Panerai, Remy Martin and L'Oréal Paris, was detained by authorities for repeatedly visiting prostitutes, which is illegal in China.
According to state-run media CCTV, Li's misconduct, which he confessed, was exposed during a criminal trial investigation.
While the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau's original announcement regarding the detention on Weibo n didn't reveal his full name, CCTV confirmed it was the actor, 35, citing "authoritative channels" sources.
Prada and Panerai said shortly after the news broke that the two brands had put end to Li's ambassador.
Related GalleriesLi is the latest high-profile target in China's entertainment industry crackdown, after a series of big Chinese stars such as Deng Lun, Zheng Shuang, Kris Wu and Zhao Wei who fell out of favor for alleged personal and financial misconduct last year.
He attended Prada's Fall 2022 rehearsal show in Beijing last month, at the alongside major movie stars such as Liao Fan, winner of the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival, and Kara Wai Ying Hong, three-time recipient of the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress.
With more than 60 million Weibo subscribers, Li rose to fame by starring in a series of popular TV shows. He won Best Actor at the China TV Golden Eagle Award in 2018 for his portrayal of a spy agent in the period drama “Sparrow.”
In addition to being operated by luxury brands, Li was also the face of Asics, Budweiser, Chinese natural herbal remedy manufacturer King To Nin Jiom and golf equipment manufacturer Honma.
All brands had severed ties with Li by Sunday night.
LONDON — Chinese actor Li Yifeng, muse of Prada, Panerai, Remy Martin and L'Oréal Paris, was detained by authorities for repeatedly visiting prostitutes, which is illegal in China.
According to state-run media CCTV, Li's misconduct, which he confessed, was exposed during a criminal trial investigation.
While the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau's original announcement regarding the detention on Weibo n didn't reveal his full name, CCTV confirmed it was the actor, 35, citing "authoritative channels" sources.
Prada and Panerai said shortly after the news broke that the two brands had put end to Li's ambassador.
Related GalleriesLi is the latest high-profile target in China's entertainment industry crackdown, after a series of big Chinese stars such as Deng Lun, Zheng Shuang, Kris Wu and Zhao Wei who fell out of favor for alleged personal and financial misconduct last year.
He attended Prada's Fall 2022 rehearsal show in Beijing last month, at the alongside major movie stars such as Liao Fan, winner of the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival, and Kara Wai Ying Hong, three-time recipient of the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress.
With more than 60 million Weibo subscribers, Li rose to fame by starring in a series of popular TV shows. He won Best Actor at the China TV Golden Eagle Award in 2018 for his portrayal of a spy agent in the period drama “Sparrow.”
In addition to being operated by luxury brands, Li was also the face of Asics, Budweiser, Chinese natural herbal remedy manufacturer King To Nin Jiom and golf equipment manufacturer Honma.
All brands had severed ties with Li by Sunday night.
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