Mediacorp Ends 22-Year Partnership with Actor Zhang Yaodong amid Multiple Controversies

Mediacorp said on 20 Feb 2025 that it no longer represents actor Zhang Yaodong, marking the end of his association with Singapore’s national broadcaster.

The 47-year-old Malaysian actor’s profile has been removed from The Celebrity Agency’s website, Mediacorp’s talent management division.

This development follows multiple controversies surrounding Zhang’s personal life. In July 2024, allegations emerged on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, accusing him of being a serial cheater.

In response to the allegations, Zhang had filed a police report and sought legal counsel.

Zhang, who had maintained his single status, later acknowledged having two daughters but did not reveal their mother’s identity.

In January 2025, additional claims surfaced, suggesting Zhang had more children in China, Indonesia, and Thailand.

What Happened Recently

Fresh controversy erupted in February 2025 when a Xiaohongshu user posted audio recordings allegedly featuring Zhang criticizing Mediacorp’s drama scripts.

The recordings included statements claiming “Singapore’s scripts are notoriously bad” and referred to “higher-ups” deploying “fools” to execute projects.

It should be noted that there’s no confirmation that the voice is Zhang and the scripts are from Mediacorp.

Zhang entered showbiz after participating in Mediacorp’s talent show Star Search in 2001.

He initially left Mediacorp in 2012 but returned three years later.

His final project with the broadcaster was Born To Shine (2024).

The actor’s departure from the upcoming Mediacorp series Emerald Hill sparked speculation, though Mediacorp clarified this was due to scheduling conflicts