Singer Wang Leehom to step back from showbiz following divorce chaos

20-12-2021 14:34 HKT

Taiwanese-American singer Wang Leehom has apologized and said he is suspending all entertainment work after crossing fire with ex-wife Lee Jing-lei over prostitution and extramarital affairs.

Wang issued an apology on Weibo at noon on Monday to his parents, Lee, and his children, saying he would spend more time with family later on.

"A man should still take all the responsibility, and I'm not going to give any more explanations or excuses," Wang wrote. "It was my fault that I didn't manage my marriage well, that I brought trouble to my family and failed to account to the public."

"From now on, I will watch what I say and do and will assume the responsibilities of a father, a son, and a public figure," he continued, adding he will take care of Lee and the children financially.

Wang also said that he would offer the house where Lee and the children live to Lee and pay for the children's education.

After Wang confirmed he filed for divorce last Wednesday, Lee posted a 5,000-word letter on Instagram on Friday evening, slamming Wang for hiring prostitutes, having sex partners -- including at least a married one, and adding that she was mistreated by Wang's family members.

Wang finally responded on Sunday night, denying infidelity.

He alleged that for five years and eight months, from November 27 in 2013 to August 5 in 2019, he lived under fear, blackmail, and threats. He said that Lee pressured him into the marriage, threatening him that he would never see her and his child again if he did not agree to get married right away after she got pregnant.

He revealed that he and Lee had seen five psychologists for marriage counseling, but there was no improvement.

"When talking about the divorce agreement, Lee said to the mediator that if I failed to meet her requests, she would tell the media something that would ruin my career," Wang said.

However, Lee hit back past midnight Monday, saying a psychologist determined Wang to be a narcissist suffering from sex addiction.

"Treating your wife as if she has a mental illness – and describing her in this way to others – has been part of the problem contribution on your part," said a screencap of the psychologist's email to Wang.

Advertisers have cut ties with Wang, including luxury carmaker Infiniti, which confirmed its cooperation with Wang two days before.