Chinese Influencer Zhou Yuan Under Investigation as ‘Sexual Intelligence’ Academy Teaching Women ‘How to Attract Men’ Earns INR 31 Crore
Chinese authorities have launched a formal investigation into high-profile social media influencer Zhou Yuan—widely known as the “Godmother of Sexual Intelligence”—whose lucrative business teaching women how to “charm” and “conquer” men has sparked a national debate over gender roles and social values.
The Investigation and Social Media Crackdown
On January 30, market regulators in Changsha announced the formation of a joint task force, including public security and cultural authorities, to investigate Zhou’s business operations. The move followed the suspension of her accounts across major Chinese platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu on January 22. The crackdown is part of a broader effort by Chinese regulators to sanitize the digital landscape. Officials have recently tightened enforcement against content that promotes "unhealthy" social values, misuses sexual health themes, or offers psychological counseling without proper professional qualifications. Alina Amir Viral Video: New Link Trap of Pakistani Girl after Fatima Jatoi and Marry.
High Costs and Controversial Content
Zhou, a former banking professional in her 40s, marketed her classes under the banner of a “Sexual Intelligence Academy.” While some introductory online sessions were priced as low as 9.9 yuan, her premium “all-dimensional enhancement” camps and personalized coaching sessions reportedly cost as much as 88,000 to 100,000 yuan ($12,000–$14,000).
The "Godmother of Sexual Intelligence" became a viral sensation for her instructional videos, which featured highly specific physical techniques, such as an “X-shaped” body stance and intense, sideways eye contact designed to appear “cute” rather than “scary” to men. While these clips became viral meme material, the underlying business was a serious commercial enterprise, drawing in tens of thousands of students.
Empowerment or Objectification?
The influencer’s rise has divided public opinion. Critics and state-run media outlets, including China Women’s News, have condemned the courses as "mistress training" that encourages women to pander to male approval. “Female charm should never be reduced to performances aimed at pleasing others,” the publication stated in a recent commentary, arguing that such teachings operate in a “gray area” between suggestive content and pseudo-psychology. In contrast, Zhou defended her curriculum as a tool for female empowerment. She argued that "sexual intelligence" allows women to take an active and confident role in intimate relationships, framing the techniques as a way to "please oneself" rather than simply serving the male gaze. How Payal Gaming Viral Video Leak Culprits Were Caught - Influencer Payal Dhare Reveals (Watch Video).
Background and Business Reach
Since founding her academy in 2018, Zhou’s influence expanded into a network of eight companies involved in health consultation, medical aesthetics, and adult products. Her offline "intensive training camps," held in cities such as Xiamen and Nanjing, were reportedly in such high demand that they required reservations weeks in advance. As the joint task force continues its probe, the case of the “Godmother of Sexual Intelligence” serves as a high-profile example of China’s increasing scrutiny of the "influencer economy" and the commercialization of relationship advice on social media.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 04, 2026 07:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).