 |
| Huang Zitao New Year Stage Kiss Triggers Confusion and Fan Disappointment (Photo: Weibo) |
Chinese singer-actor Huang Zitao’s New Year’s Eve performance has unexpectedly turned into one of the most talked-about moments online, after an onstage kiss with his wife Xu Yiyang stirred confusion and frustration among parts of his fanbase.
The couple appeared together during a major New Year countdown event, where they performed a duet before sharing a kiss on stage. While some viewers saw it as a romantic moment between a married couple, the reaction across social media quickly became divided.
Interestingly, the backlash was not mainly about the kiss itself.
Many fans said they were more upset by what they felt was inconsistent communication from Huang Zitao’s management team earlier that same day.
 |
How the Confusion Started
Hours before the live broadcast, rehearsal footage featuring Huang Zitao and Xu Yiyang began circulating online. The topic quickly climbed to the top of trending lists, with claims suggesting an onstage kiss would take place during the New Year show.
In response, Huang Zitao’s studio denied the rumours that morning. Fan community accounts were informed that the trending topic was exaggerated and that Huang Zitao would appear solo on stage, not alongside Xu Yiyang.
However, when the live broadcast aired later that night, the couple not only performed together but also shared a clearly visible kiss during the finale of their song.
The contrast between the earlier denial and the actual performance left many fans feeling misled.
Fans React to Mixed Messaging
While some fans openly stated they had no issue with Huang Zitao showing affection towards his wife, others expressed disappointment over what they viewed as poor handling by the studio.
Comments online questioned why the team chose to deny the rumours in the first place, only for the moment to unfold exactly as predicted. For loyal fans who rely on official statements, the situation felt confusing and emotionally draining.
The issue, for many, was trust rather than romance.
Official Apology From the Studio
Following the backlash, Huang Zitao’s studio released a formal apology through fan community platforms.
In their statement, the studio explained that they had misunderstood the trending topic, believing it referred only to rehearsal footage from the previous day rather than the live broadcast itself.
 |
They also admitted that the wording of the clarification earlier that morning contained exaggerated interpretations and unclear phrasing.
According to the studio, they had asked major fan accounts to help explain the misunderstanding in good faith, hoping to separate rehearsal footage from the actual performance. Unfortunately, this decision only led to further confusion.
The statement ended with a sincere apology to fans, acknowledging the distress caused and promising to handle public communication more carefully in the future.
Huang Zitao and Xu Yiyang’s moment did not happen in isolation.
This New Year season saw several performers bringing personal relationships onto public countdown stages, from surprise proposals to couples sharing intimate interactions during live shows.
 |
While some viewers welcomed these moments as heartfelt and genuine, others questioned whether personal displays were beginning to overshadow the main purpose of New Year performances.
For supporters, real emotions feel refreshing compared to scripted performances. For critics, however, public stages should prioritise professional artistry over personal milestones.
The debate highlights a growing tension between emotional appeal and performance quality. Personal moments can enhance a show when used carefully, but when they dominate the spotlight, audiences may feel that the focus has shifted too far.
In Huang Zitao’s case, many fans agree that clearer communication could have prevented most of the backlash. Transparency, especially during high-profile live events, remains key to maintaining trust between artists, teams, and fans.
Now it’s your turn. Do you think personal moments belong on public New Year stages, or should performances stay strictly about the show itself?