JJ Lin fans outraged at celebrity's copycat

A mainland look-alike of local singer JJ Lin has outraged his fans for pretending to be the popular singer and getting paid around NT$7 million (S$290,000) for performances over two years.

After realising the resemblance and his ability to perform Lin's hit songs, entertainment site SZ News reported that night clubs started to advertise Fan Yixian as the real deal, even though his manager labelled him a "JJ Lin substitute".

SZ News said that Fan has performed in local night clubs under the name of popstar JJ Lin and knowingly deceived his fans.

Sporting similar hairstyle and his trademark dimpled-smile, Fan reportedly sang the local singer's hit songs and mimicked his stage style that even his fans are unable to tell the difference between the two men.

Apple Daily said that copycat Fan had been a DJ and taxi-driver. He was even signed to a record company in 2012.

Apple Daily also reported that fans of JJ Lin have started a campaign to stop him from performing as JJ Lin and spreading the news of this imposter.

They even contacted his record company, Warner Music, to resolve this issue.

Kwong Hwa eNews said Warner is aware of this copycat and has even issued a warning to him earlier.

Reports online also said Warner's Beijing office is currently looking into the matter and attempting to gather evidence.

The company said it is difficult to take legal action as the imposter Fan had first presented himself as an "imitator" and other times, he posed as the local star himself.

wjeanne@sph.com.sg