(Yicai Global) Oct. 22 -- Chinese concert pianist Li Yundi, regarded as one of the world’s greatest living interpreters of Chopin, was detained by Beijing police yesterday for hiring whores. The arrest is likely to cost him heavily as all traces of other celebrities recently arrested for alleged lewd conduct have been erased from public life.

On the line are Li’s many lucrative endorsement deals with carmakers GAC Toyota Motor, Great Wall Motors and Dongfeng Nissan, Swiss watchmaker Rolex, US fashion line Tom Ford and several others. He is also the image ambassador of the city of Guangzhou.

Already a number of episodes on the variety show ‘Call Me by Fire’ that he took part in this year have been pulled from broadcaster Mango TV.

Regulators are showing zero tolerance for celebrities who cross the line and exhibit lewd behavior. In August, K-pop star Kris Wu went down in flames over the alleged abuse of minors and Huo Zun also had to bid farewell to his singing career after his ex accused him of serial infidelity.

Authorities are also clamping down on the ‘excessive’ fan culture that gives entertainers such high popularity, enormous influence and great commercial value.

Born in Chongqing, southwest China in 1982, Li was the youngest pianist at the age of 18, and the first Chinese national, to win the XIV International Chopin Piano Competition in 2000 and then to judge it in 2015. He has performed at most of the world’s top stages including the US’ Carnegie Hall, Berlin Philharmonic, London’s Royal Festival Hall and Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra.

Editor: Kim Taylor