The private message read "Hello, musician," but what was said on stage was "I don't think you're a musician, you're a clown." That gap is the core of this public falling-out between Xiao Weiba (Zeng Yuxiang) and Domi Doluo.
Xiao Weiba posted a video yesterday (the 16th), explaining for the first time the knot that had built up between him and Domi Doluo over the past six months. He revealed that his creative output had clearly declined during that period, and he even sought counseling at one point. What was truly unbearable to him wasn't netizens repeatedly leaving comments like "Prince's Date" or "Domi Doluo," but the fact that the other party had joked about his past multiple times, culminating in being called a "clown" on the Megaport Festival stage.
Xiao Weiba built his following through impromptu piano accompaniments and covers, but after gaining popularity, netizens dug up a clip of him at 24 years old appearing on the dating show "Prince's Date." He said that no matter what he posted afterward, the comment section kept dragging things back to that old clip, which gradually became one of the reasons his creative output declined.
On January 10 this year, Domi Doluo once again referenced the "Prince's Date" clip in a video. Xiao Weiba didn't like it at the time, but out of consideration for their friendship, he chose to endure it and even responded politely in the comments. He admitted he even doubted himself, wondering "am I being too sensitive," which is why he didn't directly voice his dissatisfaction.
The turning point came at Megaport Festival in March. About five days before the show, Xiao Weiba received a message from Domi Doluo informing him that a bit related to him would be used during the performance, but by then he was already so mentally and physically exhausted that he didn't dare open the message. On the day of the show, he was waiting backstage when he heard the "Prince's Date" clip replayed on stage paired with the song "I Love You." Domi Doluo then said during the talking segment: "I really don't think you're a musician, you're a clown."
Xiao Weiba later publicly shared screenshots of their private messages, pointing out that their conversation had originally been about music and the performance content. He had seriously shared his thoughts on how they'd collaborate, and privately even received the reply "Hello, musician" — yet on the public stage, it was twisted into something completely different. He emphasized that what truly hurt wasn't the word "clown" itself, but the fact that his original meaning had been distorted, and that he'd had no choice but to listen to the entire thing firsthand while standing backstage.
"What I felt was that my original meaning had been twisted. He said these things on stage, and I had to listen to all of it — it really hurt," Xiao Weiba described in the video. He also mentioned that he'd sought counseling multiple times over the past six months, ultimately reaching a decision: "I'm certain my relationship with him can't continue." He said he understands that most netizens' comments carry no ill intent, but the name "Domi Doluo" has become something he no longer wants to see, and he hopes his future work won't be tied to these events anymore.
In response to Xiao Weiba's public statement, Domi Doluo subsequently deleted the controversial video and posted a reply, saying he had originally just come across the clip on Threads and thought it was funny, so he included it in his content just for fun, assuming that if the other party felt uncomfortable, he'd say so directly. He admitted that after seeing Xiao Weiba's explanation, he realized the harm caused was more serious than he'd imagined, stating he never intended to hurt him and that he would reflect on it and try to make amends going forward.
