
With late autumn upon us, there’s something about the season’s melancholic beauty that inspires many of us to take a quiet look inwards and reflect on our achievements and our lives. Huang Zitao must have found himself in this introspective mood yesterday evening when he shared a short personal message about his disappointments regarding his singing career – “after so many years of pouring myself into my music, not one song has touched other people aside from my fans. I have really lost my motivation, I’ll just be a xizi (戏子 – a derogatory term for actor) then”. He also reveals that “after years of giving myself fully into my music, not a song has made it outside of the fandom. I feel sorry for myself.”
Some netizens weren’t too happy about what he said, so despite it being an early morning post (1:47 am), the singer-actor got some backlash for his choice of words.

Well, Huang Zitao says he’s had enough. In his last post on Weibo, the singer-actor said “I do not know who deleted my Weibo post, but I’m not going to take back anything I said. I’ve had enough of seeing my posts deleted the next day when I’ve said nothing wrong. I love music, I love being an actor. These are all part and parcel of the life and the work that I love. I am confident in my music, but there will always be times when I am disappointed in myself. I am hopeful that each song I put out will only get better and better. Just because I casually posted what I’m currently feeling and that I feel sorry for myself, it’s now an issue? I’m an actor and just because I said I’m a xizi (戏子), there’s now an issue? You don’t think I know the word for “actor”? Did I mention any actors or insult anybody with my sarcasm?
Those of you who are prejudiced against me and who’ve never even seen or listened to my work, I’ll thank you to not bother coming into my Weibo page. I wish you all the happiness. In the future, I will stop posting personal things on this account. This will just be a page for advertising, marketing, trending topics, and just overall fakeness and promotions that’s not suitable for me. I quit. This will be my last personal post here on Weibo. This just isn’t the venue or place to share my personal feelings and thoughts.”
Social media can be a good thing as it gives us fans an unedited and intimate glimpse into our favourite stars and celeb’s daily lives and thoughts. But the other side of the coin shows that it too can be toxic when people get too judgmental, intrusive and sometimes downright nasty. Thankfully though, Huang Zitao’s fans got his back with many of his supporters posting words of encouragement for the actor.
Source: 1
Anonymous
I’m not surprised he’s always been the straight forward i speak what’s on my mind type. What he said isnt bad tho, idk why ppl overreact but im not surprised. Maybe going away is better
TrueBlue
While I would not personally respond to his post, reading the English translation, I do understand why it is a bit offensive because basically he's saying that he would not choose to be an actor but he is doing that because his true passion, music, is not working out. it sounds like acting is such an easy path to take…while music is a craft. just my take
Anonymous
He already said back in 2018 that he have to do movies, dramas, appear on tv shows because if it's not for those things people won't acknoledge his music.
Honestly I think he have too much expectation from the chinese audience.
There are musicians that will get big, there will be many who won't get noticed.
He had big dream about changing the music market but realise he can't do anything so he is frustrated.
He should take a break……and travel
hohliu
His style of music has a niche fans interest. He was told that from before. But he still hope he can change Chinese netizens…Too high a expectation upon himself.
His management company must have removed his post….
Anonymous
I agree with you. I guess it comes down to choice of words when you write your personal opinion about a subject matter…if it comes off as offensive to the reader then that's how they would perceived it. Writing has never been easy.
jiminie
To be honest, I feel like Tao would have a better chance in getting famous by going in the acting industry rather than becoming popular through the music industry. His voice and his music isn't standing out as much compared to the other chinese artists. His music is still good, but it does not stand out.
Anonymous
just sound like he's whining about his music not gaining listeners. if he's so into music he shouldn't care about what other's think. it's not like he lacks the resource to continue doing music. using xizi to refer to his other occupation, what does he think of other actors? most ppl who put their life into acting don't even get the perks he does…
Anonymous
Kris Wu's new song sounds good but his voice is so heavy on autotuning. I don't think it's about his voice, he should just make good music. Even Kris Wu can become famous singer with his mediocre singing.