Once one of China’s most commercially valuable celebrities, Kris Wu now faces the consequences of his controversial lifestyle serving over 13 years in prison for rape, sexual assault, and tax evasion. He is also slated for deportation upon release. More devastatingly, his family ties have unraveled: his mother is now incarcerated, and his father has cut all contact. Reports confirm that Kris receives no visits while behind bars.
In late April, Chinese media revealed that both Kris Wu and his mother were under investigation for tax evasion involving approximately ¥300 million RMB (over $40 million USD).
By June, it was confirmed that Kris’s mother was sentenced and imprisoned for her role in managing his finances through private companies, which engaged in massive tax fraud. Kris himself owed a fine of ¥83.7 million RMB (about $12 billion KRW), and failure to pay triggered criminal charges, leading to an extended prison term. Though the duration of his mother’s sentence remains undisclosed, it’s clear she once served as his sole supporte handling logistics, managing debt, and liaising with prison authorities. Now, she too is behind bars.
Kris’s parents divorced when he was 10 years old, following allegations of infidelity by his father. After obtaining custody, Kris’s mother took him to Canada and changed his surname. Since then, she ceased all ties with his father, and Kris grew up without knowing his paternal side.
In interviews, Kris admitted he briefly demanded to meet his father once after the divorce but accepted, after reassurance from his mother, that a child needs just one parent. Since relocating to China to pursue his career, Kris has repeatedly stated he has never met his father and harbors no interest in establishing contact. The older man is believed to be connected with influential officials in Guangzhou, but has refused to support Kris or his mother during their legal troubles fearing scandal by association.
Once revered and followed by millions, Kris Wu’s life has unraveled. He entered prison as a global star and remains isolated inside. His father declined to visit, and without even the mother who supported him before, Kris now stands alone.
This dramatic downfall highlights a larger reality: for some public figures, legacy can crumble just as spectacularly as it once rose.
