Chinese Host Accused Of Favouring 3-Yr-Old Son; Enrols Him In Same Kindergarten Class As Sister, 6, So She Can Look After Him

Chinese host Zhu Dan’s remarks on a variety show have once again landed her in the centre of controversy.

Recently, the 43-year-old was accused of gender bias for how she distributed chicken soup on reality show Wonderland.

She gave the two drumsticks to younger male guests Zhou Yiran, 25, and Winwin, 28, saying “they’re still growing,” while female guests — 21-year-old Ouyang Nana and veteran actress Ning Jing, 53, — were given chicken wings instead.

This reignited debate over her controversial parenting style, favouring her son over her daughter.

Back in 2023, Zhu Dan and her husband, actor Zhou Yiwei, appeared on reality show Viva La Romance, where she revealed how she enrolled her three-year-old son in kindergarten early so he could be in the same class as his six-year-old sister.

The goal? So the sister could take care of her younger brother.

Zhu Dan said her daughter takes her brother to school, feeds him meals, and even helps him with math.

“The two are very close, always sticking together. When the sister holds the brother, it really feels like a mother holding her son,” she added.

The remarks sparked backlash, with many accusing her of reinforcing outdated gender roles and sacrificing her daughter’s childhood for the sake of her son.

This could potentially impact the girl’s emotional well-being and social development, they said.

She was also criticised for treating her daughter like a part-time nanny.

Zhu Dan stated in the show that she was now focusing more attention on her daughter to prevent jealousy, and that the boy listens well to his sister.