[Trigger Warning/Content Warning: Bullying]
Chinese rapper, idol, and former Rocket Girls member Yamy exposes her CEO, Xu Mingchao, for bullying her. The idol shared an audio recording of them in a meeting where he constantly insults Yamy in front of others. The audio recording was given to Yamy by other colleagues present at the meeting who had recorded him.
The contents of the audio recording are:
"Xu Mingchao (XMC): You tell me, do you think Yamy is pretty?"
XXX: She's not ugly (laughs).
XMC: But I'm asking you if you think she's pretty.
XXX: What's your standard of beauty?
XMC: I'm asking for YOUR opinion! Ask me! Ask me! Ask me! Ask me! Come on, ask me! XXX, ask me! Ask me! Just ask me the same question I asked you.
XXX: Do you think Yamy is pretty?
XMC: She's super ugly! It's true! Is there anything else I should say?! She's really ugly! Really ugly! Really ugly! That's the trust! Is there anyone who doesn't agree with this fact? If I say Yamy is prettier than you, then you would be absolutely crushed!
XXX: There's no way (laughs).
XMC: I'm right, right? You wouldn't accept this statement. She's just ugly, right?
XMC: Yamy thinks that the clothes she wears are so fashionable, but do you think she's fashionable? The stuff she wears when she goes to the company make her look like a porcupine. I think she's sick in the head!
XMC: Okay, let me ask you all, can Yamy sing? Look at her, Yamy herself can't believe we're having a roast fest in the company. Can Yamy sing? Well, yes, she can. Okay, let me ask you a follow up question. Can Yamy sing well? No, she can't. I don't like to hear her singing.
XMC: After she sang "Trophy Child" or whatever it was called, right? Afterwards, her style changed drastically. She became a sissy. She was originally a cool boy -- cool girl, right? But now she's a sissy and no one likes you!
XMC: Originally, you were just a f*cking dancer! A back-up dancer! And then, Kenn thought you were pretty good and that you had spunk. At the time, she didn't even want to go to Produce 101.
XMC: Before this, have I ever told Yamy to her face that she was ugly. No. But I can't hold back anymore. I can't stand it!
XMC: I've said this before, is being ugly a problem? Being ugly isn't a problem! Being ugly is a good thing! For a woman, being ugly is an advantage, but you have to accept that you are ugly. Then, it becomes an advantage."
Along with the audio recording, Yamy released a statement to explain her situation and why she chose to come out with the recording. Her statement reads:
"What am I?
Since Produce 101, the terms people called me online would always be "ugly" or "old." As an artist, criticism from others is unavoidable; if there are people who praise you, there will be people who bring you down. I would put my feelings into my songs, sticking to my principles that my works speak for me, to affirm myself.
But the confidence that I worked so hard to build up was completely brought down three months ago. My boss, Xu Mingchao, who was the boss I had trusted and relied on the most, had insulted and humiliated me at a company meeting, saying I was so ugly that he couldn't stand it, that I had no value, and had forced the people present at the meeting to agree with him.
When I heard the audio recordings that my colleagues gave me despite the risks, I felt lost. These two years, have you been wearing a mask when you meet? Sorry, but I'm took it seriously.
Why? I used to not be so subservient, to be scared from making a basic request. I used to not hide at home and cry until the sun rises. My hands didn't shake before when I looked at message, nor did I want to escape when I heard audio messages. Now I understand, these symptoms have been around for much longer than just these three months.
For a long period of time, I was stuck in this loop. Mr. Xu's attitude towards me would always be one or the other side of an extreme.
'You have an advantage, be confident.'
'You're not worth it, you're worthless.'
'You will rise with your works, I support you!'
'If you want to make requests, make me happy first.'
More than two years now, going back and forth, suppressing and blaming me and making me feel depressed, then coming back around with promises and making me hope again. I once seriously believe that if there were problems, then it would be my fault because I didn't do enough.
But now that I think about it, it was fear and low self-esteem that made me choose to block out the damage that has been caused to me, making me life with self-doubt everyday. My parents are heartbroken, my friends are worried, and my fans are disappointed. I have this weak version of myself. That's enough, the damage ends here.
I submitted a notification of contract termination, but was told by you to 'understand the situation, don't seek death'. You are also the father of a girl who is blooming. How could you threaten me with death, threaten someone else's daughter?
You are the boss, I am the employee. Maybe in a lifetime, I won't even make ten-thousandth of what you make, but that doesn't mean my job is worth less than yours. Maybe my appearance doesn't match your standard of beauty, but that doesn't give you right to step on my dignity.
Maybe you once supported me, but doesn't mean you can forever insult me and leave me to rot. I'm not an audience for you to perform your 'overbearing CEO' bi, nor am I puppet for you to manipulate. I will not allow you to destroy the love and confidence I've fought to have.
From today on out, I will take responsibility for myself.
What I am doesn't matter. I am the most important."
Chinese netizens flooded Weibo to share their support for Yamy. On the Chinese social media platform, "Yamy's company meeting discussion recording" is trending at number one. At number four, "Rocket Girls members fervently support Yamy" is trending. As mentioned, the members of Rocket Girls took to their Weibo accounts to share messages of support, showing that though the project group has disbanded, they will forever stick together.
The Rocket Girls official Weibo posted a short but sweet message for Yamy that reads, "Our unique Ya-leader. You're the most beautiful, Yamy."
Sunnee shared this message to Yamy through her Weibo: "Yamy, our beauty is defined by us. You're Rocket Girls' best leader. No one has it easy. I hope our big rocket family are all healthy, happy everyday, I have your back. Making music together is something I've always talked about with you so I'll wait for you. As for the other things, I won't comment on them, good people have good karma, but bad people will have bad karma."
She added another comment that reads, "It's hard to be attacked by the one closest to you. I also want to ask everyone that no matter what you say or do, evaluate it and don't become a bad person. The world is beautiful, everyone works hard, you and I are the same, so be a better person everyday."
Lai Meiyun shared a short but sweet message for Yamy, saying, "You are the universe's most unique YAMY."
WJSN member and Rocket Girls' center also shared a message that reads, "I've got your back."
Fellow WJSN member and former Rocket Girls' member Xuanyi also shared a message for Yamy, saying, "A classic is a classic. It's impossible to replicate."
Li Ziting shared a photo of them to her Instagram account, saying, "You are rare! Don't give a * on what ppl say! Always be by your side."
Fujing shared a message too, saying, "You're the best YaYa, the prettiest girl, the flyest girl. I'm supporting you to the end!"
Chaoyue's message reads, "Yaya, you're the most beautiful. Whoever verbally abuses you is my enemy. Don't worry, we are always here for you. If you don't understand how to appreciate her, please let her go. Don't use conventional standards to judge a confident girl's beauty."
Aojuan's message for Yamy reads, "When you hand over your future to someone, there is initially trust, and initially you were filled with anticipation, the desire to more forward together. But if that person doesn't appreciate you then forget it. Your dreams are practically trampled over! And your mental state is abused! I'm seriously so mad that my hands are sharing! I'm warning you not to bully our leader! Yamy, don't be friend, I'll hold you! You deserve better!!!"
Zining's message reads, "Beauty is not judged by this one person. There are more people who love you. We will protect you always."
Xu Mengjie's message reads, "From today on out, only be happy for those who love and appreciate you. Don't lower your head to evil people. You are everyone's treasure. My perfect partner. I will never allow others to hurt you. Don't lower your head. If others don't appreciate you, then your sisters will."
Additionally, Huang Zitao, former EXO member and the MC of Produce 101, released a statement on Weibo supporting Yamy. His statement reads, "The person who scolding others and got recorded, can't we all see that this person and the way they talk in the company is disgusting??? Being the boss? You think you're suitable for this position? You have money? Just to do this??? At the beginning, why did you want to sign her??? Those who send idols to survival shows without even training them, just waiting to get lucky to earn money for the company, and those who only sign artists after they are chosen in survival shows, those who hold the contracts of their artists' head just to waste their youth and then point the finger at them when they want their contract terminate, they will be defensive when they read this, right? In this industry, you don't understand that there are many disgusting people, but karma will get to them."
The CEO of Yamy's company has not released a statement on the manner.
