It’s practically an open secret that Huang Zitao and Xu Yiyang, an actress under his agency L Tao Entertainment, are dating. Despite being frequently spotted together, the actor has never confirmed their relationship, and it’s gone on for years. Recently, rumors about their engagement surfaced, yet the two remains silent. They’ll also be appearing in his new reality show (跟我走吧) that he produced.
Among the range of topics he covered in a recent livestream, Huang Zitao opened up about his thoughts on celebrities dating. He challenged, “Who defines that as a public figure, I must reveal my relationship? How can you define how others live their lives? Never let others label you.” While some fans were supportive of his reasoning, some fans have also left comments criticizing him. They questioned, “Why mislead fans while relying on their support for your projects? Fans didn’t try to define you, but you said you would announce it if you were in a relationship. You could have just not denied it.”
Amid the external voices, Huang Zitao reflects, “I’ve gone through too much since returning to the country (he left K-pop group EXO and returned to China in 2018). During the harshest bashing, what words did I not hear. If I listen to that and let that affect me and feel bad, they would have succeeded. Why should I be bothered by that? I’m 31 now; the same thing is happening, do you think I’ll let others define me? Who are they to decide what’s right or wrong, especially on the internet? If an artist is dating, whether they disclose it or not, what does it have to do with you? If someone does, wish them happiness. Everyone has their own way to live. You shouldn’t force your views on others.”
Source: Huang Zitao / Weibo
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Lisa
Not a HZT fan, never understood his appeal, but I agree with him. If and who he dates is his personal business. He’s in his 30s now. He’s no longer in an idol group trying to sell a bf image. If he previously said he’d disclose it when he does, then sure, maybe fans have some expectations. I don’t follow him, so I don’t know.
Coralie
It’s a double edged sword. He’s an idol, not just an actor or a singer. If he is particularly talented in either of those sub-occupations, then I would absolutely agree he has the right to choose what he wants to publicize. But as an idol, that’s a field primarily about gaining fans and winning their favor. A lot of times their favor is dependent on their idols’ status as a bachelor so they can keep fantasizing. That’s why a lot of idols hide their relationship status – sure, some of it is to protect their partner, but usually it’s due to fear of losing their livelihood and fandoms. So as an occupation I don’t agree with HZT’s logic. As a human being, though, he has an absolute right to do whatever the heck he wants.
Ash
Well, even if it was for his own career, that is his decision. He can gauge for himself whether it would have any real impact to his business, other than a lot of noise which he had already gone through numerous times before. But nobody has the right to demand that he must disclose his personal relationships to his fans. No celebrity has such obligation to their fans.
And I really don’t think that HZT is merely an idol who has to fawn on his fans. He writes songs and can command sell-out concerts. He is a very good dancer. He trained in martial arts when he was a kid and he can still fight pretty good. He may just be an average actor now, however, he has done credibly enough for someone of his background who ventured into acting so late with no formal training. He is a successful businessman in his own right, with multiple lines of business.
I do not follow him but I have tremendous respect for him. He has gone through so many challenges in his life, including injuries, court battles, flak from his “so-called fans” and yet he has remained fiercely independent, positive and clean. He has such tenacity and perseverance. He has given a lot back to society through his charitable works.
He is only 31 and he has fought more battles and achieved more than most people twice his age. He could have not worked so hard and gone through so much heartaches or suffered public criticisms, to establish his own position and wealth because he is already a very wealthy 2nd generation kid. He could have just worked with his parents and enjoyed a luxurious life. But he did not. For that, I really respect him. He could just be another spoilt brat. But he was not. And I credit his parents for bringing up such a son.
There are quite a few such young artistes like him in China who are all worthy of respect.
Lisa
But when do you get to shed the baggage of “idol”? He hasn’t been in a group for years. He has done solo activities, including acting and other behind the scenes stuff. He’s now in his 30s, which is more than a reasonable time for many to start a family much less date. I think the whole idol and its fandom culture needs to change. It’s a lucrative career, but creates so many unhealthy relationships amongst the celebrity and fans. I cringe every time I hear a fan eating up words like “[insert fandom name] are my only love/family/etc.”
Coralie
@Lisa My point exactly. I honestly consider celebs as non-idols the minute they announce their relationship. It means they’re willing to go against their career and embark on a path meant for people who are serious about being liked primarily based on their hard work and talent, and less on their relationship status. Being an idol is lucrative and they’re deliberately packaged by their companies to be idolized and pined for due to their likeability, which is why so many companies ban dating. In a sense, their image IS a product.
If there are contractual agreements to prohibit dating, I get that. But as a 30 something year old who has moved to China to build his career with presumptively much better contract conditions, that’s prob not an issue for HZT.
Nothing against the guy and I’m neither a fan nor an anti, but idols saying BS like not needing to reveal relationship status means they’re still in the game to milk their idol label. And that’s where it doesn’t sit well with me.
BUT like I said, as a human being, he can do whatever the heck he wants
Xoxo
He’s under no obligation to share his dating news with anyone. No matter if he’s an idol or any other kind of entertainer. Period.
He’s an idol. A person. Not a product. And like any other person, he has a right to his privacy. We the public have a right his work, which we pay for, which is the true product. Not him. Being an idol is not the same as slavery.
We do NOT own him. We could own the entertainment he provides. And we should face reality and let our requests and expectations end there.