Jolin Tsai Sues Influencer Over ‘Cult-Like’ Concert Claims
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Taiwanese pop superstar Jolin Tsai is taking legal action against a social media influencer who accused her recent concert tour of featuring “Satan-like symbols” and resembling a cult ritual. The legal dispute highlights the growing tensions between artistic expression and online scrutiny in the age of social media.
Tsai’s management team issued a statement on January 7, refuting the allegations leveled by Celia Liang, a singer-turned-influencer who initially shared her concerns on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu. Liang’s original video has since been removed from the platform.
Accusations and Legal Response
According to reports from Taiwan media, Liang claimed Tsai intentionally incorporated elements into her “Pleasure World Tour” designed to involve fans in a cult ritual. Tsai’s team strongly condemned these claims, asserting that Liang and others had “published and disseminated a large amount of false, misleading information and insulting remarks, which have seriously damaged Jolin’s reputation and legal rights.” The team further stated that the accusations “destroyed a healthy and civilised online environment.”
Liang, identified by netizens as an Australian-Chinese woman who previously competed on the Taiwanese singing competition One Million Star in 2009, responded to the legal statement with a video posted on Douyin on January 8. In the video, titled “Jolin Tsai wants to sue me?”, she characterized her comments as “pure entertainment” and argued she wasn’t the first to interpret the concert in that manner.
She even stated she “is honoured to be the first person to be sued by Jolin Tsai,” while simultaneously cautioning fans against online harassment, which she acknowledged is illegal in China. Liang also suggested she may continue to release videos commenting on Tsai’s work as a form of “counterattack.”
The “Pleasure World Tour” and its Thematic Elements
Tsai’s sixth concert tour, which commenced on December 30, 2025, at the Taipei Dome, is built around the themes explored in her 15th studio album, Pleasure (2025). The album and subsequent tour center on the concept of the seven deadly sins.
The concert is known for its elaborate staging and immersive visuals, boasting a reported production budget of NT$900 million (approximately S$36.6 million). A key moment in the show features Tsai appearing atop a colossal, 30-meter-long serpent-like stage prop. The performance incorporates set pieces inspired by animals – including bulls, pigs, and snakes – to create a “dreamlike, symbolic aesthetic.”
Expanding to Mainland China and Hong Kong
Following its debut in Taipei, Tsai is scheduled to bring the “Pleasure World Tour” to Hong Kong in February 2026. From March to July 2026, she plans to perform in 14 cities across mainland China, including Shenzhen and Chongqing.
The legal battle between Tsai and Liang underscores the challenges faced by artists navigating the complexities of social media and public perception. The outcome of the lawsuit could set a precedent for how online criticism of artistic works is addressed in the region, and the extent to which artists are protected from unsubstantiated claims.
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