Ex-NBA Star Yi Jianlian Accused Of Soliciting Transgender Prostitute After Leaked Nude Pics Go Viral

Former NBA star Yi Jianlian has been in the hot seat after he was alleged to have engaged a transgender prostitute in China.

Leaked photos purportedly showing a naked Jianlian, 36, and an identity card showing a man bearing a striking resemblance to the retired Chinese basketball star were widely circulated online last week.

According to screenshots of text conversations outlining a transaction between the pair, Jianlian had paid the woman US$1,500 (S$1,967) for her sexual services in a hotel in China.

However, some have questioned the authenticity of the pics.

Netizens began digging for the identity of the woman in the images and believe that she is 19-year-old transgender influencer named Li Jinjin, also known as “Sister Qiao of Beijing.”

However, Sister Qiao quickly came forward to clarify that the text messages were fabricated, and that she is not the woman in the scandal.

She added that she would take legal action to protect her rights and urged everyone to stop spreading false information.

Despite this, a netizen posted on Xiao Hong Shu over the weekend, claiming to have spotted the “female lead in the Yi Jianlian scandal” at the Beijing airport lounge.

According to the post, Sister Qiao appeared to be emotionally distressed, frequently making phone calls and crying.

She allegedly said that she had only bumped into Jianlian and would never have exposed herself.

Sister Qiao also mentioned that her accounts on WeChat and Xiao Hong Shu accounts had been suspended and she could be seen making a call to a bank to cancel her cards.

When the netizen was boarding her flight, she saw Sister Qiao again, this time with several police officers, but had no idea where they were headed.

“This is the closest I’ve ever gotten to such fresh gossip,” remarked the netizen.

She also claimed to have overheard Sister Qiao mentioning in a phone call that she wanted to flee to the UK, but since she was at the domestic terminal, it seemed unlikely that she was leaving that day.

Jianlian, who is married to model Jing Ling and has two sons aged 10 and eight, is one of China’s most celebrated basketball players.

Ever since the scandal broke, many brands have distanced themselves from Jianlian.

According to Jiemian News, brands like China Life Insurance, Oppo and Hyptec have removed all marketing materials featuring Jianlian on their official Weibo accounts.

Besides playing in the Chinese Basketball Association, Jianlian also played in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks, the New Jersey Nets, the Washington Wizards, the Dallas Mavericks, and LA Lakers.

He last played for the Guangdong Southern Tigers before retiring in August 2023.

Photos: Yi Jianlian/Weibo, Xiao Hong Shu