A recent online controversy involving Yan Xuejing’s daughter-in-law, Xu Mengdi, has unexpectedly drawn an innocent party into the spotlight due to a case of mistaken identity. Because the two individuals share the same name, a rumor circulating online mistakenly targeted Xu Mengdi, a principal dancer at the Hangzhou Opera and Dance Theatre, triggering a wave of criticism before the matter was officially clarified.
The confusion stemmed from unverified claims that Yan Xuejing’s daughter-in-law, also named Xu Mengdi, was employed by a theatre troupe in Hangzhou but allegedly held a position without actually working, a practice commonly referred to as “drawing a salary without fulfilling duties.” As the rumor spread, some netizens latched onto the shared name and location without checking details, incorrectly identifying the Hangzhou Opera and Dance Theatre dancer as the subject of the allegation.
Public records show that the Xu Mengdi employed by the Hangzhou Opera and Dance Theatre is a different individual altogether. Born in 1994, she began formal dance training at the age of 11, later graduating from the Zhejiang Art Vocational College. She joined the Hangzhou Opera and Dance Theatre in 2015 and has since become a leading performer. Her career includes multiple professional awards, as well as appearances in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, reflecting a well-documented and active performance history.
As the online backlash intensified, the Hangzhou Opera and Dance Theatre released an official statement on January 25 to address the situation. The theatre confirmed that its dancer Xu Mengdi is a fully registered staff member who has consistently participated in rehearsals and performances since joining the company. The statement emphasized that allegations of her “drawing a salary without working” were entirely false and clearly distinguished between the two individuals who share the same name. To support its clarification, the theatre cited the dancer’s full performance schedule and announced that it had begun collecting evidence to protect its legal rights, stating that legal action may be pursued if necessary.
While the clarification has helped restore the reputation of the dancer involved, the incident highlights ongoing concerns about misinformation and the speed at which unverified claims can spread online. In an environment driven by attention and speculation, a simple name coincidence was enough to cause real reputational harm, underscoring the importance of fact-checking and restraint in public discourse.
