Kris Wu Biography, Prison Sentence, Career Rise and Fall

Before fame, before the luxury cars and global deals, there was a young boy raised mostly by his mother, moving from China to Canada and trying to figure life out.

Many people knew Kris Wu from music, some from movies, others from headlines that later shook the entertainment world. If you are here to know the full story about Kris Wu, his real name, age, career, net worth, prison case, family, and what really happened, then stay with me and read carefully.

In this biography, we break down everything about Kris Wu in a clear way.

Height, Real Name and Quick Facts

• Full Name: Li Jiaheng
• Stage Name: Kris Wu
• Chinese Name: Wu Yifan
• Date of Birth: November 6, 1990
• Height: Approximately 6 feet 2 inches (1.87 meters)
• Nationality: Chinese-born Canadian
• Profession: Former rapper, singer, actor, model

Kris Wu Early Life and Background

Kris Wu was born on November 6, 1990, in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. His birth name is Li Jiaheng. After his parents divorced when he was still young, he adopted his mother’s surname and became known as Wu Yifan.

He spent part of his early childhood with his grandparents in Gansu Province before moving to Vancouver, Canada, with his mother.

Growing up in Canada, he used the name Kevin Li. Life was not luxury at that stage. He and his mother lived a modest life, and he reportedly worked part-time jobs during his teenage years.

He attended Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School and later Point Grey Secondary School in Vancouver. Basketball was one of his early passions, and he even served as a team captain while in China before relocating.

How Kris Wu Became Famous – EXO Era

Kris Wu auditioned for SM Entertainment in Canada as a teenager and later moved to South Korea for training. After years of training, he debuted in 2012 as a member of EXO, under SM Entertainment.

He was the leader of EXO-M, the Chinese sub-unit of the group. During this period, EXO released successful projects including XOXO and hit songs like Growl and Overdose. The group became one of the biggest K-pop acts globally.

In 2014, Kris Wu filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment, citing health concerns and contract issues. The legal dispute was later settled, allowing him to continue activities mainly in China.

Solo Career and Music Journey

After leaving EXO, Kris Wu built a strong solo career in China. He positioned himself as a hip-hop artist and worked to bridge Western and Chinese rap culture.

Some of his notable music projects include:

• Antares (studio album)
• Testing (EP)
• Deserve featuring Travis Scott
• Like That
• Freedom featuring Jhené Aiko
• Big Bowl, Thick Noodle

He also served as a mentor on The Rap of China, helping promote hip-hop culture in the Chinese mainstream space.

Acting Career and Hollywood Appearance

Kris Wu also transitioned into acting and became one of the high-profile young actors in China. He featured in movies such as:

• Mr. Six
• Somewhere Only We Know
• Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back

He also appeared in the Hollywood movie xXx: Return of Xander Cage alongside Vin Diesel. That appearance gave him more international exposure.

At his peak, he was considered one of the most marketable young celebrities in China.

Kris Wu Net Worth and Endorsements

Before his legal issues, Kris Wu had an estimated net worth of around 9 million US dollars based on multiple financial reports at that time. His income sources included:

• Music sales and streaming
• Concert performances
• Acting fees
• Luxury brand endorsements
• Fashion ambassador deals

He signed endorsement deals with brands such as Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Porsche, Bulgari, and several Chinese consumer brands.

However, his financial situation changed drastically after his legal convictions and tax penalties. He was fined approximately 600 million Chinese Yuan for tax-related violations. After that, reports suggested asset seizures and liquidation of properties.

As of now, there is no  updated  net worth figure, and it is widely believed his finances were heavily impacted.

Major Controversy and Prison Sentence

In 2021, serious allegations surfaced against Kris Wu involving sexual assault claims by multiple women. One of the public accusers was Du Meizhu, a young influencer.

Chinese authorities detained him in July 2021. After investigation and court proceedings, the Beijing Chaoyang court convicted him in November 2022.

He was sentenced to 13 years in prison for rape and organizing group sexual activities. The court ruled that he assaulted multiple women while they were intoxicated. In addition to the prison term, deportation after completion of his sentence was included in the ruling.

His appeal was later rejected, and the sentence was upheld.

All his music and content were removed from major Chinese platforms. Brands immediately cut ties with him, and he was effectively blacklisted from the entertainment industry.

Family, Relationship and Personal Life

Kris Wu has never been married. There is no confirmed wife or officially recognized child. Over the years, there were dating rumors involving different women, but none were officially confirmed as long-term relationships.

Most recent rumors about secret marriage or hidden children remain unverified and unsupported by court records.

As of now, he is serving his sentence and has no public activity.

Is Kris Wu Still Active in Music

No. Since his arrest and conviction, his music catalog has been removed from Chinese streaming platforms. There have been no new releases, performances, or public appearances.

Is Kris Wu Dead

There were online rumors claiming he died in prison, but authorities debunked those rumors. He is alive and currently serving his sentence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kris Wu real name?
His real name is Li Jiaheng.

How old is Kris Wu?
He was born in 1990.

What happened to Kris Wu?
He was convicted in China for rape and group sexual misconduct and sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.

Final Words

Kris Wu story is one of the biggest rise and fall cases in modern Asian entertainment.

From leading a global K-pop group to building a solo empire and later facing a complete career collapse due to criminal convictions, his journey remains a major lesson in fame, accountability, and consequences.