Chinese Influencer Gu Xixi Claims She Makes $41,000 a Day Doing Nothing

Chinese Influencer Gu Xixi recently sparked controversy after claiming that she earns 300,000 yuan ($41,000) in a single day by doing nothing.

With nearly 5 million followers, Gu Xixi has built a reputation for her eccentric and often controversial online persona. Her bold statements about making money effortlessly have not only drawn criticism but also reignited discussions about the nature of social media fame and influencer culture in China.

During a live stream, Gu Xixi boasted about her earnings, stating that between February 8 and 16, she accumulated a total of 10.39 million yuan ($1.4 million) on one platform alone, earning an estimated commission of 2.79 million yuan ($386,000). On another platform, her sales reached 8.94 million yuan ($1.2 million) over seven days.

She further emphasized that she had done nothing all day yet still made a fortune, calling it “hard-earned money.” However, her statement quickly triggered backlash from the public, who accused her of being arrogant and insensitive.

Controversial Online Persona

Chinese Influencer Gu Xixi is no stranger to controversy. The 25-year-old influencer from southeastern China initially gained popularity through bizarre and attention-seeking antics, including swallowing a ping pong ball during a live stream. While these stunts helped her amass millions of followers, they also led to multiple suspensions due to “vulgar content.”

She has been criticized for engaging in inappropriate behavior, such as insulting others and performing explicit acts on her livestreams.

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One particularly infamous incident involved her live-streaming herself washing her buttocks in an attempt to gain more viewers. These provocative actions have contributed to her polarizing image, with some followers admiring her boldness while others condemn her for setting a negative example.

Chinas fastest online shopping influencer.

She spends just 3 seconds selling each product.

She sold 100 million Yuan ($13 million) worth of products during a single week of live streaming.

The influencer, Xiang Xiang, uses Douyin, Chinas version of TikTok to sell the items. pic.twitter.com/jjYwes2oCu

— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) November 10, 2023

Beyond her online behavior, Gu Xixi has also had legal troubles. She revealed in a livestream that she was sentenced to two and a half years of probation for affray at the age of 15. This revelation added to her notoriety and reinforced her image as a rebellious and controversial figure in the Chinese social media landscape.

Lavish Lifestyle and Public Backlash

Despite her controversial reputation, Gu Xixi has not been shy about flaunting her wealth. In November 2023, she made headlines by announcing her plans to buy a 2,000-square-meter villa in Nantong, estimated to be worth over 20 million yuan ($2.7 million). Her extravagant lifestyle, combined with her dismissive attitude toward criticism, has further fueled public outrage.

After facing intense backlash for her recent earnings statement, Gu Xixi attempted to clarify her comments in another livestream on February 17. She claimed that her statement about making money effortlessly was meant to provoke her haters. She insisted that her wealth was the result of hard work and that she never intended to suggest otherwise.

“Do you know why I do not frequently share my sales performance now? Every time I do, there is a problem, right? It causes trouble, right? This time, it makes the headlines, right? That is why influencers like to act like they are poor,” she explained.

Despite her efforts to backtrack, her remarks failed to calm public anger. Many people continued to criticize her for being out of touch with reality and for making light of the struggles of ordinary workers.

Some argued that her initial statement was a reflection of the growing disparity between internet celebrities and everyday citizens, while others accused her of deliberately stirring controversy for attention.

The Influence of Social Media Celebrities

Gu Xixi’s case highlights the increasing power and influence of social media celebrities in China. With millions of followers, influencers like her can generate enormous revenue through online sales, brand partnerships, and viewer engagement.

The Chinese live-streaming industry has become a lucrative market, with top influencers making millions by promoting products and interacting with fans.

However, the controversy surrounding Gu Xixi also raises ethical concerns. Many critics argue that influencers who rely on provocative and inappropriate content to gain followers contribute to the decline of online culture. While their success may be undeniable, the impact of their behavior on younger audiences is often questioned.

Furthermore, the backlash against Gu Xixi reflects a broader frustration with wealth inequality and the perception that internet personalities can amass fortunes without contributing meaningfully to society. In a country where many people work long hours for modest wages, claims of making $41,000 a day by “doing nothing” are bound to spark outrage.

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how Gu Xixi will navigate her career moving forward. Will she continue to provoke controversy, or will she adopt a more measured approach to avoid further backlash?

Regardless of the outcome, her story serves as a reminder of the complexities of internet fame and the challenges that come with being a social media influencer in the digital age.