Hong Kong actress and model Chrissie Chau, once dubbed the city’s “lingering angel”, is facing a lawsuit from billionaire businessman Li Ka Shing, who accuses her of defamation and harassment stemming from long-running dating rumors.
According to HK01, Li Ka Shing has taken legal action not only against Chau but also against five YouTube channels for allegedly spreading false information. In a public statement, the billionaire said: “I do not know Chrissie Chau at all and have no relationship with her.”
Li claims that Chau was the source of the rumors that followed him for nearly a decade, severely affecting his personal and family life. Through his legal representatives, he argued that Chau’s alleged motive in allowing or encouraging such speculation was selfish, aimed at increasing his fame and advancing his film career.
The controversy dates back to 2016, during the promotional period of a film starring Chau. At the time, some media outlets published stories suggesting that the actress was romantically involved with an “ultra-wealthy second-generation heir who was already married.” Online speculation soon linked that vague description to Li Ka Shing, fueling widespread rumors of an alleged relationship between the two.
Over the past decade, numerous articles and videos repeating these claims have circulated across mainstream media, social platforms and YouTube in mainland China, Hong Kong and beyond. Some content directly mentioned Li by name, showed images of him or his family, and implied that he was supporting Chau financially. Some videos even brought unrelated women into the narrative. Li claims that such content constitutes harassment and defamation, causing significant reputational damage.
The situation escalated in June 2025 when Chau addressed the long-standing rumors during an interview to promote a new film. When asked about the alleged affair with a rich man, she replied, “Thank you for asking. Actually, no one ever questions it because people assume it’s true. But I don’t know that person at all. I feel really offended.”
His remarks reignited public discussion about the alleged connection. At the time, Li and his family were mourning his father’s passing, making the renewed attention especially painful. Li argues that Chau’s comments were insensitive and selfish, especially given the family’s circumstances.
In recent years, some online videos have gone further, falsely implying that Li’s family was linked to criminal activity. Believing that the situation has gone beyond acceptable limits, Li decided to take legal action to protect his reputation and clarify the truth.
According to Forbes, Li Ka Shing was ranked as the richest person in Hong Kong in 2022. Meanwhile, Chrissie Chau, born in 1985 in Chaozhou, Guangdong, moved to Hong Kong at the age of ten. She debuted in 2009 and quickly rose to fame thanks to her stunning figure and best-selling photo albums, including the widely discussed “Kissy Chrissie,” which sparked what the media once called the “Chrissie Chau phenomenon.”
Over time, Chau transitioned into films, appearing in dozens of projects such as Journey to the West and Three Lives. She earned Best Actress nominations at the Hong Kong Film Awards for 29+1 (2018) and Madalena (2022), cementing her reputation as a serious actress beyond her initial “lingerie angel” image.
Sources: Znews
