Show Lo's sudden exit from fashion brand STAGE that he co-owned for 12 years shocks fans

Taiwanese star Show Lo shocked fans with his sudden exit from STAGE -- a fashion brand that he has co-owned for 12 years.

"Thank you for all the years of support and encouragement you have given to me and STAGE. I am very proud to see how far we’ve come. However, due to differences in future plans, I will be exiting STAGE from today onwards," wrote Show in an Instagram Story on Monday (Feb 18) evening.

The 39-year-old star continued his "official statement" saying that he will be leaving STAGE to his "buddy" and co-founder Zhang Zi Wen, and managing director Chen You Hui.

A simple statement -- but is it really that simple?

On the same evening, STAGE also blasted their "official statement" on their Facebook page.

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/stagegroup/videos/2027204937400371/[/embed]

"We are honoured to have Show Lo’s assistance and investment while we were managing STAGE.

"While he doesn’t have any actual experience in managing the brand, he has advertised STAGE clothing and accessories from ground zero to where it is today -- a well-known fashion brand," wrote the statement, emphasising that "investor" Show will be making an exit.

With that, a wave of confused and angry comments crashed upon them.

Fans were mostly mad at how STAGE's official statement seems to have conveniently excluded Show's co-founder status and his efforts at promoting the brand like it was his own child for the last 12 years.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVxLEa092Dc[/embed]

A mere miscommunication, or did the star just get dealt a bad hand?

Just a few days prior to this announcement, Show changed his Instagram handle from "showlostage" to just "showlo", and removed "STAGE director (主理人)" from his Weibo description.

Show and his manager Kini Hsu also posted some cryptic messages on Instagram Stories that seem to allude to this situation.

STAGE's full name STAGE Hyaline of World stands for SHOW and was founded by the celebrity and Zhang in 2006.

In the last 12 years, fans and onlookers alike have seen the Show's hard work with the brand -- not merely using his star power and name to profit as an "investor".

Have no fear though -- this will not be the last fans hear from him and his fashion dream.

Hsu wrote on her Weibo that Show will be setting up a new brand: "Please look forward to a brand of his own -- Gotnofears."

"Got no fears" is one of Show's favourite phrases. He had mentioned that it carried him through the lowest points in his life, and he hopes to pass this positive energy to everyone.

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BuDXDDqFpFd/[/embed]

The multi-hyphenate even got a fresh haircut to signify a fresh start.

While we can't confirm that Show was booted from STAGE, we are certain that a fresh start is always a good thing -- especially with the positive energy he emits.

lynette@asiaone.com