Barbie Hsu’s manager accuses her ex-husband Wang Xiaofei of ‘staging sorrowful scene in the rain’

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu (R) and her ex-husband, Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei. Photo from Hsu Studio's Weibo

According to Next Apple, on Thursday, Liao—who has worked with Hsu for decades—addressed a series of false rumors that emerged following the actress’ passing. Among them was the claim that "Wang Xiaofei, out of deep love and respect, chartered a private jet to bring his ex-wife’s ashes back to Taiwan." Liao suggested that this narrative was deliberately spread by Wang’s mother, businesswoman Zhang Lan, to cast the businessman’s family in a favorable light.

"In reality, the only thing he did was, upon seeing the media, deliberately ask his driver to drop him off early so he could walk in the rain for 30 minutes," Liao stated.

Footage of Wang looking grief-stricken as he walked through the rain in Taipei on Feb. 3—the day Hsu’s family confirmed her death—quickly went viral on social media. While some praised his devotion, others—including Wang’s ex-girlfriend, Chinese actress Zhang Yingying, and Hsu’s husband DJ Koo—accused him of putting on a performance.

Liao also refuted several other rumors, including claims that DJ Koo had taken out a million-dollar insurance policy on Hsu and that Hsu’s sister Dee Hsu was dancing despite knowing her sister was gravely ill. He also denied allegations that Hsu’s mother Huang Chunmei had expressed happiness about her daughter’s past marriage to Wang. According to Liao, Huang considered her daughter’s final three years with DJ Koo to be the happiest time of her life.

A friend of Wang’s dismissed Liao’s statement on behalf of the businessman, insisting that Wang is currently too devastated to even get out of bed. The friend added that Wang would address related matters once his health improves. Regarding custody of their children, the friend stated that their preferences should be taken into account—whether they wish to live with Wang or Hsu’s mother.

Currently, hundreds of thousands of netizens are criticizing Wang and his team for fabricating the claim that he "paid for a private jet to bring Hsu’s ashes home." Viewers discovered that the rumor was initially spread by the adopted son of Wang’s mother Zhang. Since then, all videos from this man’s Douyin account have been deleted, and his account has been restricted for violating platform regulations.

Hsu married DJ Koo in Feb. 2022, while Wang tied the knot with 26-year-old businesswoman Mandy Ma in 2024. Despite their new relationships, Hsu and Wang remained embroiled in public disputes, with Hsu accusing Wang of infidelity and physical abuse, while Wang alleged that Hsu used his credit card to buy luxury gifts for DJ Koo.

However, after news of Hsu’s death, Wang cut short his vacation in Thailand and rushed to Taiwan with Ma. He also left comments under social media videos about Hsu, referring to her as "wife."

Hsu was a Taiwanese actress who rose to fame through hit TV series such as "Meteor Garden," "Mars," and "Summer’s Desire."