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| Jaywalk Confirms Daniel Zhou’s Switch to Chinese Citizenship Amid Drama Premiere (Photo: Weibo) |
American-born idol-actor Daniel Zhou Keyu has formally renounced his US citizenship and is now legally recognised as a Chinese national, marking the end of months of speculation and online debate. The confirmation came directly from his agency Jaywalk Newjoy, which issued a detailed statement outlining the long process behind the nationality switch.
According to the agency, Daniel Zhou (Zhou KeYu)—born in the US on 17 May 2002—began preparing the required documentation immediately after turning 18.
Now 23, the actor has fully completed the procedure and holds Chinese citizenship, with the studio emphasising that he has never possessed dual nationality, in line with Chinese law.
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The timing of the announcement raised eyebrows, arriving just as Zhou KeYu’s latest drama Sniper Butterfly premiered.
Viewers quickly noticed a subtle but telling change: the usual “foreign nationality” label that previously appeared beside his name in production credits had quietly disappeared.
As Chinese productions routinely indicate non-mainland origins, the missing tag sparked instant discussion and pushed #ZhouKeyuNationality onto hot search.
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Industry insiders say the move wasn’t sudden at all. Daniel Zhou returned to Beijing at school age, grew up locally, and attended an international school—yet culturally, much of his upbringing was rooted in China.
His agency revealed that the nationality process actually took three and a half years, involving strict compliance checks and the standard requirement that applicants must not hold dual citizenship.
Fans praised the dedication behind the scenes. Many commented that the persistence shown over several years spoke louder than any public statement, while others kept the discussion level-headed, noting that nationality is ultimately a personal legal decision.
Beyond paperwork, Daniel Zhou’s personal background has also drawn attention. Known for speaking candidly about his family, Daniel Zhou once shared that he and his younger brother were largely raised by their eldest sibling, who is 17 years older.
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With their parents absent for much of their childhood, he often described his eldest brother as “like a father”. That sense of responsibility and belonging, fans say, may explain why Zhou Keyu feels deeply connected to the country he grew up in.
Online sentiment leaned overwhelmingly positive following the announcement. Many netizens expressed relief that the long-running speculation had finally been resolved, especially after weeks of heightened scrutiny around celebrity nationality.
Some praised Daniel Zhou Keyu’s consistency, noting his participation in cultural and commemorative activities over the years, as well as his efforts to promote Chinese culture overseas.