China’s second highest-earning influencer Xin Youzhi quits after cancer-linked sanitary pad scandal

On Aug. 19, Xinba told viewers on Chinese short video platform Kuaishou that he would stop livestreaming, citing health reasons. He revealed he is suffering from a serious lung condition that prevents him from continuing.

"I want to say goodbye to everyone. From today, Xinba will no longer livestream. I officially announce my retirement," he said, according to Znews.

Xinba, 36, is the founder of Xinxuan Group, one of China’s leading multi-channel e-commerce networks. With 98.8 million followers on Kuaishou, he was the country’s second highest-earning influencer in 2023 with an income of 3.06 billion yuan (US$426 million), 8days reported.

China’s top livestreamer Xin Youzhi, known as Xinba. Photo from Weibo

He established the sanitary pad brand m.password in 2017 and once claimed during a livestream that 10 million users were buying its products. However, long-term consumers later reported health problems allegedly linked to the brand, including more than 112 cases of cancer, 10 cases of cervical or uterine cancer, and 35 instances of pregnancy loss, according to Shin Min Daily News.

The scandal first emerged in March when a whistleblower named Mr Wang disclosed through his independent media channel that thiourea, a substance associated with cancer, had been detected in m.password sanitary pads. In May, he urged consumers to submit samples for independent testing.

This is the fourth time Xinba has announced his retirement since 2020, 8days noted. In November 2023, his Douyin account was banned for repeatedly posting insults and false information, according to Dao Insights. He has also faced penalties in the past for selling counterfeit goods, such as bird’s nest soup that was later revealed to be sugar water.