Chinese Influencer Han Anran’s Miscarriage Ignites Online Backlash Over Husband’s Absence and Gender Expectations

Han Anran first entered the limelight in early 2023, sharing a stream of personal milestones with a growing fanbase. On June 20, 2023 she announced her marriage to Song Haoran, a man five years her junior. Because Haoran had not yet reached China’s legal marriage age, the couple postponed official registration for the following month, a detail that sparked early curiosity about the pair’s unconventional age gap.

The couple’s romance soon turned into a series of public dramas that unfolded almost entirely on livestreams and social‑media platforms such as Weibo. In 2020 Han Anran remarried a former husband, Xiaozhu, only to dissolve that marriage three months later. She announced another marriage on September 9, 2021, and by late 2023 a public spat erupted when Haoran accused Anran of slandering fellow influencer Dou’er and her ex‑partner Xiaozhu, prompting a wave of online criticism and speculation.

Amid this revolving door of relationships, the most emotionally charged episode emerged in late 2024, when Anran announced that she had suffered a miscarriage of twins. She revealed the loss during a late‑night livestream, visibly shaken but resolute, and the broadcast quickly went viral. The core of the public outcry centered on the fact that Song Haoran was not present with her during the ordeal. The phrase “韩安冉流产后宋浩然没有陪伴在身边” – translated as “Han Anran was not accompanied by Song Haoran after the miscarriage” – trended across Chinese social media, igniting debates over whether a husband’s duty includes standing by his wife in moments of reproductive crisis.

Comments ranged from heartfelt empathy for Anran’s solitary grief to sharp condemnation of Haoran. Some users labeled him a “phoenix man,” a derogatory term for a partner who allegedly exploits a woman’s status for personal gain. Others attempted to rationalise his absence, suggesting he was swamped by work or that Anran’s demanding public persona made the situation more complicated. The controversy also prompted broader conversations about gender roles: many Chinese netizens argued that a man’s failure to provide emotional support contradicts traditional expectations of husbandly responsibility, while others pointed to evolving definitions of partnership in the digital age.

Anran’s livestreams have repeatedly exposed her personal life to public scrutiny. On May 13, 2025 she announced another pregnancy – this time with twins – confirming the news on the same day Haoran posted a brief acknowledgment, noting the conception was only one to two weeks old and that the pregnancy remained unstable, requiring a cautious three‑month waiting period. The couple’s dialogue about the pregnancy continued into July, when Anran discussed early‑stage risks and the timeline for a formal medical confirmation.

The recurrence of marital tension soon resurfaced. On March 25, 2025 Anran disclosed in a live broadcast that she was facing another divorce, not because of a direct conflict with Haoran but due to pressure from his mother, who allegedly sought to separate her son from Anran. This revelation underscored a familiar pattern in the couple’s saga: familial interference, especially from in‑laws, playing a decisive role in their relationship dynamics.

By August 2025, Anran referred to a “fourth pregnancy” that would press on unhealed surgical incisions, a reference that hinted at her history of three cesarean sections and multiple pregnancy losses. In a later update she clarified that the earlier incident she had described as a miscarriage was, in fact, an induced abortion carried out because the fetus exhibited congenital developmental issues. This correction added another layer to the already intricate narrative, blending medical realities with the performative aspects of her online persona.

The episode illustrates the precarious balance influencers must strike between authenticity and privacy. Anran’s willingness to expose her reproductive health – a deeply personal and often stigmatized subject – turned private pain into content that attracted millions of comments, likes, and shares. The public’s appetite for such intimate details raises ethical questions about the extent to which creators should be expected to share their personal traumas, and what responsibilities platforms have in moderating the resulting discourse.

For brands and advertisers, the fallout is equally significant. An influencer’s image is a key asset, and moments like Anran’s miscarriage can shift public perception dramatically. Critics argue that negative sentiment surrounding a perceived lack of support can diminish marketability, while supporters emphasise the power of vulnerability in building deeper audience connections.

Beyond the sphere of influencer economics, the Han Anran–Song Haoran saga spotlights societal attitudes towards reproductive rights and gendered caregiving in modern China. The viral backlash against Haoran reflects lingering expectations that men must be present and supportive during pregnancy complications, a sentiment that resonates with broader global conversations about paternal involvement and emotional labour in partnerships.

Lastly, the incident underscores how swiftly personal crises can become viral news in the age of livestreaming. Without the filter of traditional journalism, stories spread unchecked, often accompanied by speculation, judgment, and, at times, harassment. While Chinese authorities have yet to enact specific regulations governing influencer conduct in such contexts, the incident adds to ongoing debates about the need for clearer guidelines to protect individuals from online abuse and overexposure.

In sum, the tragedy that befell Han Anran, the controversy surrounding Song Haoran’s absence, and the ensuing public debate encapsulate the paradox of digital fame: the same platforms that elevate personal narratives to celebrity status also render those narratives vulnerable to relentless public scrutiny. As the couple navigates another pregnancy and the lingering shadows of past losses, their story will likely remain a touchstone for discussions about privacy, gender expectations, and the evolving responsibilities of influencers in a hyper‑connected world.