Chinese host Xie Na's national tour has sparked social controversy. Since she is not a professional singer and most of her songs are covers, her performances have been described as "KTV-level." In a rare move, Chinese state media also specifically criticized her for relying on "overdrawing nostalgia and chasing traffic," asserting that such practices won't last long. After being called out by state media outlets such as People's Daily, she has announced the cancellation of her upcoming concerts.
Xie Na previously held a concert in Chengdu themed "Debut Dream Come True" and stated that it would be a one-time exclusive show. However, she later changed her tune during a live broadcast on the variety show "Ride the Wind 2026," announcing plans for a national tour, which left many fans feeling deceived. In addition, as a non-professional singer, Xie Na's Chengdu performance was criticized for unstable breath control and difficulty reaching high notes, likened to singing at KTV. Coupled with ticket prices as high as 1,180 RMB (approximately 710 MYR), on par with top-tier singers, this led to accusations of "cutting leeks" (exploiting fans for profit).
Within just 48 hours, state media outlets including People's Daily and Zhejiang Publicity made consecutive statements, publicly criticizing Xie Na's routine of cashing in on nostalgia to capture the market. They stressed that "traffic without real strength to support it will ultimately backfire." Other media outlets also weighed in, bluntly stating "cross-industry attempts are okay, profiteering is not," and pointedly remarking that performance approval and compliance do not guarantee good conduct. They emphasized that non-professional artists cannot rely on overdrawing public sentiment or substituting traffic for real talent to encroach on professional singers' space to survive.
Source: ET Today