Singapore Actress Eleanor Lee Accused of Insulting China Amid Drama Cast Controversy

Singaporean actress Eleanor Lee has been embroiled in controversy after a leaked 31-second audio clip surfaced on Chinese social media, in which a woman, allegedly Lee, is heard calling most Chinese people "idiots" and stating she acts for money rather than fame. The clip was reportedly released by an anonymous source claiming to be Lee's former assistant, though the authenticity of the voice and context remain unconfirmed. Following the leak, Lee has faced significant backlash online, including calls for her to clarify the recording and threats to "cancel" her. The controversy has also led to speculation that Lee has been removed from the cast of the upcoming Chinese period drama "The Journey of Legend" (also referred to as "Go to the Mountains and Sea"), in which she plays a main character, and may have delayed the show's airing, although no official premiere date has been announced. Lee's management agency has stated they are investigating the matter and promised updates. Despite her name being omitted from recent promotional posts, Lee's scenes remain in the drama's trailer, leaving her involvement unclear.