Self‑Media Star Tao Baibai Discloses Six‑Figure Earnings, Sparking Debate Over Influencer Wealth and Personal Fallout
In a live broadcast that quickly went viral on China’s social‑media platforms, self‑media star Tao Baibai disclosed the earnings that have fueled his rapid rise from a modest newcomer to one of the most lucrative influencers in the country. The revelation, which directly contradicts statements made by his ex the speed of wealth accumulation in the influencer economy, and the personal fallout that can accompany sudden fame.
13 August 2025
Tao entered the self‑media arena in August 2016, focusing on astrology, relationship advice and emotive short videos that resonate with a predominantly young audience. Within a month his content between 30 By the time2017, he estimated an annual income of about 600,000 yuan (approximately $84,000). He further asserted that advertising revenue alone later topped three million yuan in a three‑month span, underscoring the explosive earning potential of the sector.
The timing of Tao’s disclosure is significant. Earlier this year the couple announced their divorce, which had already attracted public attention after his ex a month, owned no car or house, and relied on her mother’s 600,000‑yuan mortgage in his name. Tao’s live broadcast was meant, he said, to set the record straight: the 3,500 yuan was his first‑month salary when he had just left a regular job, and his earnings “exploded” from the second month onward. He framed himself not as “unmotivated,” as his former partner had suggested, but as a “crazy workaholic” who leveraged relentless output to achieve financial Weibo marveled at the speed of Tao’s can make so hard not to feel envious.” Others focused on the personal drama, recalling the tattoo The discussion has also broadened into a wider contemplation of the influencer economy, with users debating whether such rapid financial gains are the result of sheer hard work, market dynamics, or luck.
While the story has not yet generated extensive coverage outside Chinese platforms, its resonance within the domestic sphere highlights larger trends. Influencers like Tao epitomise a new class of digital entrepreneurs who can convert viral content into six‑figure incomes within months, challenging traditional notions of career progression and prompting questions about income transparency in an industry that remains largely un spark conversations about wealth disparity, and even draw the attention of tax authorities seeking to ensure compliance in a fast‑growing sector.
For Tao his audience story a testament to the power of relentless effort or as a cautionary tale personal relationships strained by rapid wealth remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the episode has cemented his place in the ongoing cultural conversation about how the digital age reshapes both fortunes and family dynamics.
