The mainland Chinese fashion and streetwear scene was shaken on Jan 12 by news that popular influencer Ni De Du Kou (你的渡口), whose real name is Zhang Chun, had died suddenly at the age of 29.
Zhang, who had more than one million followers and was once dubbed the “Sneaker Goddess”, reportedly passed away after emergency treatment failed in the early hours of New Year’s Day. Her family later confirmed the news to mainland media, saying that her body had already been cremated in Shanghai.
The announcement sparked an outpouring of grief from fans online.
From rising star to financial collapse and adult platform work
According to Chinese media, news of Zhang’s death spread rapidly on social media, alongside screenshots of conversations between her mother, known as “Little Du’s Mum”, and close friends.
In the messages, her mother said, “It happened too suddenly. It was sudden death.”
She added that Zhang had a long-standing habit of staying up late and that her heart condition was already poor, which may have contributed to the tragedy. The family later confirmed that Zhang had been cremated yesterday (Jan 12), marking the end of her life journey.
Zhang first rose to fame in 2018 after sharing sneaker outfit photos with a fresh, university-student image. Her clean-cut looks quickly made her a standout figure in the fashion and streetwear scene.
At the height of her popularity, she also ventured into entertainment, appearing on various mainland rap variety shows where she showcased her rapping skills.
However, her career later took a sharp downturn. Her self-created fashion brand eventually went bankrupt, leaving her deeply in debt. She was also said to be struggling with depression during this period.
Online backlash and controversy before her death
In an attempt to repay her debts, Zhang made a controversial decision in 2024 to join a paid adult content platform. The move led to a sharp decline in her public image and subjected her to intense online abuse.
Last year, in 2025, she broke down during a livestream and revealed that she had contracted syphilis, which caused severe skin problems. The revelation sparked widespread discussion and sympathy online.
Despite her family confirming her death, some netizens have continued to raise doubts. A few pointed out that there appeared to be activity on Zhang’s social media accounts after news of her death broke, leading to speculation that she had staged a “fake death” to avoid her debts.
In response, several of Zhang’s close friends came forward to mourn her, remembering her as sincere and generous. They also urged netizens to stop mocking the deceased or making disrespectful speculations, calling on the public to let her rest in peace.
Once celebrated as a sneaker goddess, Zhang Chun experienced dramatic highs and lows within just a few years. Her life came to an abrupt end at 29, leaving many lamenting how quickly fame, personal struggles and online pressure can collide.
