Annabel Yao, Huawei founder’s daughter, mocked for showbiz career announcement in a splashy 17-minute documentary
- New employer introduces the 23-year-old daughter of Ren Zhengfei as ‘a princess who breaks rules’. She calls career move a ‘special birthday present’ to herself
- Yao is often compared unfavourably with her half-sister Meng Wanzhou, and critics were quick to mock her for the life of struggle she presented in the clip
Huawei Technologies Co. heiress Annabel Yao has launched herself into show business, releasing a video documentary announcing her signing as an entertainment artist with a Beijing-based company.
“I’ve never treated myself as a so-called ‘princess’,” she says in the video. “I think I’m like most people my age, I have had to work hard, study hard, before I could get into a good school. I also get confused at times and have to try many different things to find my real path in life.”
The 23-year-old shared her excitement on her official account on Sina Weibo – China’s Twitter – saying the signing was a “special birthday present” she had given to herself. Within minutes of posting the announcement, critics stormed the social media platform to mock the daughter of one of China’s richest men for the life of struggle she had presented in the clip.
“If she came out in a low-key way, hid her identity and earned respect from the audience, then I think that’s admirable,” one commentator said. “Sadly, before we can discover her personality and talent, the entire world already knows who her father is.”