A Beijing court on Friday sentenced Chinese-born Canadian musician Kris Wu to more than 13 years for crimes including rape.
The rapper and singer was detained by Chinese authorities in July 2021, following a series of allegations of sexual harassment by internet celebrities and underage girls.
The Chaoyang District Court found Wu, also known as Wu Yifan, guilty of raping three women in November and December 2020, according to the court’s official Weibo account. The women were “intoxicated and helpless” when the incidents occurred, he added.
Wu, 32, made his Hollywood debut in the sci-fi film “XXX: Return of Xander Cage” in 2017. He was also previously a member of the K-pop group EXO. At least a dozen brands, including Porsche and Bvlgari, cut ties with the pop star after he was accused of rape in July 2021.
Wu was also found guilty of “group debauchery,” which is when three or more people come together to engage in sexual promiscuity. Being charged with group debauchery can result in a jail sentence of up to five years. The punishment for cases involving minors may be higher.
The pop star’s conviction has sparked a spirited conversation on Weibo, a Chinese social media app, where many netizens applauded the verdict. Some also said that they were “witnessing history” as Kris Wu is the first idol in China to be jailed for 13 years.
Wu is one of 88 celebrities blacklisted by China for “illegal and immoral activities” in November, according to the China Association for Performing Arts. The association’s official announcement stated that the blacklist was developed to “strengthen the self-discipline of the industry.”