A Chinese influencer, Gu Xixi, has ignited public anger after claiming she earned US$41,000 in a single day by doing “nothing.” The social media personality, who boasts nearly 5 million followers, revealed her staggering income during a live stream, leading to fierce criticism online.

A Controversial Rise to Fame
Gu Xixi, born in 1998 in Jiangsu province, has built a reputation on attention-grabbing stunts, including swallowing a ping pong ball and live streaming controversial acts. Her accounts have faced multiple suspensions for content deemed vulgar, including public insults and provocative behavior.

The Earnings That Sparked Backlash
Between February 8 and 16, Gu’s total sales on a major live-streaming platform reached 10.39 million yuan (US$1.4 million), with an estimated commission of 2.79 million yuan. On another platform, her sales over seven days amounted to 8.94 million yuan (US$1.2 million).

During a recent stream, she boasted about making over 1 million yuan in a day while staying in bed. “The more people criticize me, the more I earn,” she taunted viewers. Her remarks triggered a wave of public outrage, with many calling for her account to be banned.

Defending Her Wealth
Following the backlash, Gu attempted to clarify her comments, stating that her words were meant to provoke her critics. “Do you really think I do nothing all day? We didn’t steal or rob—our money is hard-earned,” she insisted.

However, her explanation did little to calm public frustration. One online user remarked, “Watching this is heartbreaking for a master’s student, and enough to make a PhD student cry.” Another added, “Please ban her account so she doesn’t have to ‘work so hard!’”

Gu’s lavish lifestyle and past criminal record have only fueled the criticism, with many questioning the ethics of social media-driven wealth.