According to 163rumors circulating on social media claimed that Zheng entered into the relationship because of the difficulties she was facing in the U.S. The rumors also claimed that she had a child with him in exchange for financial aid.

Zheng then responded through her representative’s Weibo account, posting a letter along with an audio message in which she said: “I hope everyone believes me. I have not done anything wrong.”

“I support myself and have never been a wealthy man’s mistress,” she continued. “This is my principle in life.”

Zheng expressed her belief that some people were exploiting her situation, attempting to tarnish her reputation for attention and social media engagement. She urged authorities to intervene and stop the spread of false information.

Her representative emphasized that Zheng does not want to be involved in further controversies. She had hoped to retreat from social media to lead a more peaceful life, focus on studying, and improve herself for a better future. However, the rumors have disrupted her daily life, forcing her to speak out.

At 34, Zheng was once a well-known actress in mainland China, gaining fame for her role in the 2009-2010 television series “Meteor Shower.” In 2010, she became the youngest nominee for Best Actress at the China TV Golden Eagle Awards, according to the South China Morning Post.

Zheng moved to the U.S. in 2021 following a tax evasion scandal and her use of a surrogate, which led to her being labeled a “dishonest citizen” in China. This label has restricted her spending, including bans on booking flights, purchasing high-speed train tickets, and staying in five-star hotels.

The scandals also triggered a financial crisis for Zheng, leaving her in debt to the production teams of “Jade Lover” and “Secret Keepers,” two projects she starred in that were suspended due to the controversies. The production teams filed lawsuits seeking compensation.

Renwu Magazine reported that Zheng was ordered to pay 120 million yuan (US$17 million) to the “Secret Keepers” crew, while The Paper revealed a court ruling requiring her to pay 90.5 million yuan to the “Jade Lover” crew.

In April, legal documents from Tianyancha indicated that Zheng was bankrupt and had no assets, sparking widespread speculation that she may have transferred assets to avoid repayment.