Singaporean actress Eleanor Lee has successfully taken legal action against a former assistant who maliciously edited and released an audio recording that tarnished her reputation in China.
Lee, who is based in China and is the daughter of popular Taiwan-born Singaporean host Quan Yifeng, was thrust into controversy in May when a distorted audio clip surfaced online. The clip allegedly featured derogatory remarks about Chinese citizens, sparking widespread backlash. However, on 21 May, an individual claiming to be her ex-assistant admitted on Chinese platform Weibo to editing and posting the clip.
Lee’s legal team pursued the matter through the Chinese judicial system, and on 29 July, her agency confirmed receipt of a court-issued Certificate of Judgment Enforcement. The court ruled in favour of Lee, acknowledging the emotional distress and reputational damage the incident caused her.
Court Orders Public Apology and Compensation
According to her legal representative, the court concluded that the edited audio, which claimed Lee insulted Chinese citizens and was acting out of greed, was defamatory. The judge ordered the former assistant to publicly apologise to Lee on their Weibo account for 60 consecutive days. Additionally, the assistant must compensate Lee for psychological damage, legal fees, and other related financial losses.
In a statement shared on social media, Lee’s agency reiterated her respect for Chinese culture and urged the public not to fall for misinformation. It called for unity in combating the spread of online falsehoods, emphasising the need to maintain a clean and trustworthy digital space.
Legal Firm Eyes Further Action Against Rumour-Mongers
The case doesn’t end with this victory. The Hai Run Law Firm, representing Lee, revealed it is monitoring several online accounts that have continued to spread malicious falsehoods about the actress. These individuals may face lawsuits if they refuse to retract their defamatory posts.
The controversy erupted in April when the manipulated recording, lasting just 30 seconds, emerged on Weibo. Amid heavy background noise, a woman’s voice could be heard claiming that “most people in China are idiots” and asserting that she was “doing this not for fame, but for money.” Despite the poor audio quality, the recording ignited public outrage, magnified by sensationalist media coverage in both China and Taiwan.
Impact on Career Still Unclear Amid Ongoing Fallout
Eleanor Lee has maintained a low profile since the ordeal, with her last social media post made on 21 May where she addressed the allegations. Whether this incident will affect her role in the upcoming Chinese historical drama The Journey Of Legend remains uncertain.
The producers of the series, represented by Shi Hang Law Firm, have also issued a stern warning on Weibo. They announced plans to sue online users who continue to circulate defamatory content about the show and its cast.
Lee’s case underscores the increasing risks celebrities face in the digital era, where manipulated content can go viral in seconds and have devastating real-world consequences. The court’s decision also signals a stronger pushback against cyber defamation in China’s legal landscape, reinforcing the importance of truth, evidence, and accountability online.
Top image via Eleanor Lee Weibo/ Unsplash