Daniel Zhou Keyu, an idol-actor active in Chinese entertainment, has officially renounced his U.S. citizenship to adopt Chinese nationality.
According to a recent statement released by his agency Jaywalk Newjoy (Jiaxing Xinyue), the idol arm of Jaywalk Studio, Zhou Keyu, who acquired citizenship after being born in the United States on May 17, 2002, proactively prepared all necessary documentation to formally renounce his American citizenship after turning 18. Now 23 years old, Zhou Keyu has become a Chinese citizen. The company emphasized that Zhou has never held dual nationality, in accordance with Chinese law, which does not recognize dual citizenship.
This announcement comes as his latest drama Sniper Butterfly premiered. Many noticed that his name in the credits no longer listed U.S.A when it used to in his past works. It is standard practice for Chinese productions to indicate actors who are from outside mainland China in the credits. Given the scrutiny of celebrities with foreign citizenship, Zhou Keyu switching to Chinese citizenship was applauded.
Daniel Zhou’s parents reportedly divorced early, and he relocated to Beijing. In his own words, “The eldest brother is like a father.” He previously revealed that his father and mother didn’t raise him, as it was actually his eldest brother, 17 years his senior, who took care of him and his second brother (Leo Zhou Haoshan who’s also an actor) since elementary school. Their eldest brother now has a family of his own, though Daniel clearly cherishes the bond they shared having together.
