Chinese company allegedly owes G.E.M. $3.3m in appearance fees

China – Hong Kong singer G.E.M., who is known for hits such as City Zoo and Full Stop, has reportedly been owed appearance fees totalling 16.3 million yuan (S$3.3 million) by a Chinese company.

According to Chinese media reports, court documents show that Hummingbird Music, the 31-year-old’s former label, has sued Shanghai Canxing Culture & Media, a company which operates entertainment businesses, such as television programme and music production.

The reason for the lawsuit is that Shanghai Canxing Culture & Media had invited G.E.M. to be part of the music variety show Heroes Of Remix in April 2016. In all, she appeared in three episodes, which aired in July 2016.

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Shanghai Canxing Culture & Media had asked G.E.M. to record the programme in advance, citing a tight schedule. But even after the recording, the company did not sign a contract with Hummingbird Music, it was alleged, and no remuneration was paid.

In 2018, Hummingbird Entertainment and the singer filed a lawsuit, which was dismissed by a court in Beijing. However, the court found that there was a breach of contract.

Because the lawsuit’s amount exceeds 10 million yuan, it was ruled that the case should be transferred to the Shanghai No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court. Lianhe Zaobao reported that it would likely take some time for a verdict to be reached. G.E.M. left Hummingbird Music in 2019.

According to Taiwan’s Next Apple News, Taiwanese model-actress Lin Chi-ling had a similar experience. She filmed two episodes of the Chinese variety show Go Fighting! in July 2017, but did not receive remuneration amounting to 4 million yuan for a long time.

She filed a lawsuit and it was only in November 2021 that Lin won the case.

This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.