Mandopop star JJ Lin has spoken out against what he described as “premeditated and coordinated smear campaigns” following intense online scrutiny after he publicly confirmed his relationship with Chinese influencer Annalisa.
The 44-year-old singer surprised fans on Dec 29 when he shared a rare personal photo featuring Annalisa and his parents during his mother’s 70th birthday celebration. The post marked the first time in his 22-year career that the famously private artiste had officially acknowledged a romantic partner.
The revelation quickly triggered widespread online speculation, with Annalisa — also known as Qiqi — thrust into the spotlight. Various reports circulated about her age, with some outlets claiming she was 23 or 24, further fuelling discussion and controversy.
In a year-end message posted on Dec 31 in both English and Chinese, Lin addressed the backlash. While the post largely reflected on the conclusion of his three-year world tour, it also served as a response to the scrutiny surrounding his personal life.
“Beyond the music and milestones, 2025 also brought many tests — moments of heartbreak, helplessness, and growth,” Lin wrote, adding that his life outside the stage had been “intrusively scrutinised and deliberately misrepresented.”
He said he chose to remain silent initially while his team verified claims circulating online, which he later concluded were part of a coordinated effort to damage his reputation. “False narratives were spread and lines were crossed,” he said.
Lin added that the situation had caused distress to his family, friends and fans, making it harder for him to share personal moments publicly. He urged supporters to stay discerning when encountering emotionally charged narratives online and not to be drawn into divisive stories.
Calling for calm and compassion, Lin encouraged fans to focus on what truly matters and to step away from unnecessary online conflict.
Amid the controversy, the singer also reflected on his world tour, which began in Singapore in November 2022 and concluded in Beijing in July 2025. Spanning 104 shows, Lin described the tour as a deeply meaningful journey and thanked fans for accompanying him as he fulfilled a lifelong dream.
