S'pore actor Zhang Yaodong, 46, alleged to have fathered more children

In November 2024, Mediacorp actor Zhang Yaodong, 46, announced on his Instagram page that he had travelled overseas with his two daughters for the first time.

However, on Jan. 18, 2025, new allegations accusing Zhang of having more children with more women than he had admitted began circulating on Chinese social media Xiaohongshu, reported Lianhe Zaobao.

According to a 30-minute Xiaohongshu video seen by Zaobao, a woman who claimed to be Zhang's ex-girlfriend accused him of having at least five more children in Asia.

The woman claimed that besides fathering her toddler, Zhang had allegedly told her that he “has a child in Indonesia, two children in Thailand, and one child in the northern Chinese city of Qingdao”.

Although the video has since become unavailable, the Xiaohongshu user who uploaded it began publishing the video transcript in segments since Jan. 19.

Zhang has been in showbiz for more than two decades.

Woman's side of story

According to the transcript, the woman claimed that she and Zhang apparently met through a friend in a formal setting.

Zhang allegedly "made the first move" by asking for her contact details, and he also introduced her to his circle of friends.

However, after they started dating, the woman claimed that Zhang had "never indicated that he did not like children or did not want children" during their discussions on the topic.

It was only when she became pregnant that she realised that Zhang allegedly "did not want children at all from the bottom of his heart", said the woman.

Although she did not wish to abort the baby, she accused Zhang of pressuring her into getting an abortion, including by allegedly telling her "the benefits of getting an abortion" and "the consequences of giving birth to the child".

She also alleged that Zhang told her that if she was willing to abort the baby for him, he would "not distance himself from her" and "would even treat her better".

Allegedly cut Zhang off

According to the woman, she eventually gave birth to the child, who is now around two years old.

However, during her pregnancy, she claimed that Zhang did not "render her any emotional or financial support" and even "went out to party with friends" on her delivery day.

After the child was born, Zhang allegedly only saw the toddler "through video calls for a few times" and "wanted to avoid seeing the child unless it was necessary", added the woman.

The woman said she has since "blocked" him and "severed his relationship with her child legally", and "is now raising her child overseas in a loving environment".

Asked Zhang to face 'consequences of his actions'

The woman also denied she was "exposing" Zhang for money, claiming that she is "financially independent" and "in a much stronger financial position than him".

Instead, she said she did so to "stop other women from falling for his tricks" and to tell "those who have been cheated on by Zhang that they deserved someone better".

The woman also called upon Zhang to "summon the courage to face the consequences of his actions" and "offer an explanation to those he cheated on and humiliated".

She added that if she had wronged him, Zhang should step up and "clear the air".

The Zaobao report did not mention whether the woman produced any evidence in the video to prove her alleged relationship with Zhang.

Mothership has reached out to Zhang for comments.

Zaobao also reached out to Zhang for comment but he did not respond.

Mediacorp statement

In response to Mothership's queries, a Mediacorp spokesperson said it is unable to comment on artistes' personal matters.

However, the company said it "constantly reminds [its] artistes that fans and members of the public do look up to them as role models" and that "they should conduct themselves responsibly".

When asked by Zaobao about upcoming projects with Zhang, the spokesperson shared that The Celebrity Agency, which manages Mediacorp actors, works with him on a "project basis".

Under this arrangement, artistes can choose the projects they wish to participate in freely, according to the spokesperson.

The spokesperson added that, as of now, Zhang is not part of any new drama.

Top images via Zhang Yaodong/Instagram