A social media influencer in China has been exposed for living a 'double life' after her landlord revealed the filthy state of her apartment, contrasting sharply with the glamorous image she presented online. Lisa Li, a blogger with 1.1 million followers on Sina Weibo, saw footage of her rubbish-strewn, mouldy, and dog-excrement-laden flat go viral.
Landlord Ms Chen gave a guided tour of the apartment in Xi'an, stating that professional cleaners had refused to clean it and that Li owed thousands of yuan in unpaid utility bills. Ms Chen contacted the police and highlighted the discrepancy between Li's online persona and reality, calling the influencer 'disgusting'.
After the footage spread, Li resurfaced and apologised in person to her landlord, accepting full responsibility. She attributed her absence to a hospital visit and a business trip, claiming she had missed calls and messages. Li promised to clean the apartment, even overnight, but her sincerity has been questioned as she changed her social media handle and removed posts.
The incident has sparked widespread mockery and criticism online, with many users unfollowing her and calling her 'fake'. It comes amid a broader Chinese campaign for celebrities to be socially responsible, with authorities cracking down on influencers who set a bad example. Previous cases include a vlogger caught using a filter to appear younger and a live-streamer jailed for insulting the national anthem.
