Chen Xiao’s silence on father-in-law’s death fuels divorce rumors with Michelle Chen

Chinese actor Chen Xiao (far L), his wife Michelle Chen (far R), and their son Little Star. Photo from Michelle Chen's Instagram

The Star reported that Michelle Chen expressed her grief on social media on Dec. 7, sharing several childhood photos with her father.

"Daddy, I will always love you," she wrote in English on Instagram.

The actress also added in Chinese on Weibo: "I will still love you even when I go to heaven one day."

Her message received support from several celebrity friends, including Taiwanese singer Rainie Yang, actress Joe Chen, and Hong Kong singer Joey Yung, who left their condolences in the comments.

However, there was no comment from Chen Xiao, and he has not posted anything about his father-in-law’s death on his social media. There were also rumors that he was absent from his father-in-law’s funeral, according to Chinese media outlets.

Michelle Chen, 41, is best known for her role in the 2011 coming-of-age romance film "You Are the Apple of My Eye." She also competed in the second season of the popular Chinese TV show "Sisters Who Make Waves" in 2021.

Chen Xiao, 37, has gained popularity through his roles in TV series such as "Palace 3: The Lost Daughter," "Swordsman," and "Nothing Gold Can Stay."

The couple first met in 2013 on the set of the TV series "The Romance of the Condor Heroes." Chen Xiao has revealed that he secretly developed a crush on Michelle Chen during the series and pursued her afterward.

He proposed in 2015 with a custom-made statue resembling her character from the show, which he presented on a yacht decorated with roses. The couple married in Beijing in 2016 and have an eight-year-old son, Chen Muchen, affectionately nicknamed Little Star.

Since making their relationship public, they have faced criticism from fans who believe Michelle Chen is not a suitable match for Chen Xiao, often referring to her as his "wrong choice."

Speculation about their potential divorce has also circulated for several months. The Straits Times reported that the couple has yet to respond to the rumors. However, netizens have pointed out that they have not been seen together since Michelle Chen’s birthday celebration in May 2023. Additionally, they did not wish each other a happy birthday on social media in 2024.