I saw some questionable activity from someone pretending to represent Madison Zhao’s team after I posted about her. At first, I believed the Substack post about a Reddit harassment case to be a singular occurrence. It didn’t seem like anyone would go to such measures to quiet a few critics, and there were enough of false gurus out there, so organizing spam or larping seemed pointless. But what transpired caused me to change my mind.
Strange Comments and Suspicious Accounts
When I got two comments asking me to make a YouTube video about Madison Zhao, that was the first warning sign. Although one commenter’s account has been suspended, they explicitly said that they were a member of Madison’s team. Another poster highlighted Madison’s purported capacity to “waste money” and made inflated claims about her fortune. However, no reliable sources were offered to support these assertions.
That post’s activity was even more suspicious. Less than half of the 20 comments were viewable. Oddly, there were no upvotes for the post, which is not typical for anything that gets that much interaction. A closer look revealed that all of the comments were made less than a day ago, indicating a concerted attempt to quickly increase involvement.
My doubts were only heightened by the accounts involved. Beyond that post, none of the commentators had any observable comment history, karma, or previous activity. This clearly implies that the accounts were either made from scratch or reused specifically for this purpose. Half of these accounts have already been suspended, which only makes it more bizarre. It felt like astroturfing and appeared to be manipulation.
Analyzing the Claims: Do They Add Up?
High-Stakes Poker Losses
One of the more prominent claims was that Madison lost $200,000 in a single poker game. But if she’s truly a billionaire, why is this loss even noteworthy? For someone with “immense Zuckerberg-level wealth,” this amount should be trivial. Yet, the screenshots provided lack a link or any verifiable source, and they may have come from Madison’s own team. Furthermore, her participation in poker games is not easy to find through titles or descriptions of recorded videos. In other words, she wasn’t a noteworthy player in the poker world. Even a quick Google search yields no meaningful results.
Spending at Host Clubs
She allegedly spends tens of thousands of dollars in host clubs, according to another accusation. However, “a friend of a friend” is purportedly the source of this. Should we really believe rumors without any concrete evidence? According to that reasoning, it would be equally plausible for me to assert that my friend’s friend is Elon Musk.
CEO of a Public Company
Why is there no credible evidence that Madison is the CEO of a publicly traded company? Easily available information must be disclosed by publicly traded corporations. The only reference to her business can be found in an article on FigureAsia that was published twice, on November 18 and November 21. The story originally labeled her company “Sijie Education,” then “Esprit Education,” and finally “Liuxuewd.” Why is the name of the company constantly changing? The credibility of the business is seriously called into question by these discrepancies.
Social Media Genius
Madison reportedly attracted 400,000 followers in less than a year. While it is feasible, particularly with rage-bait content, doing so is similar to using shorts to get subscribers—easy views, but no loyalty. Her Skool community stats also don’t add up. The majority of participants enrolled when the course was free, thus she doesn’t have 10,000 paying pupils. Those who had joined earlier were exempt from paying once the community started to make money. I have direct knowledge of this since I asked members of her community.
If she doesn’t need money, why bother running low-earning courses? The fact that she allegedly hires enforcers to promote her narrative and write essays or comments undermines her “self-made” persona.
Broke College Days
Madison’s story about transitioning from sharing a $400/month apartment in college to living in a $20 million apartment seems suspicious. There is no clear explanation of how she achieved this transformation. Once again, we’re left with the dubious “friend of a friend” source.
Haters Prove She’s Winning
Madison claims she edits videos to provoke hate for engagement, but her alleged team’s swift response to constructive feedback tells a different story. Some suggest her videos are intentionally crafted for clout, which aligns with the rage-bait strategy. But if she’s truly fine with the attention from rage-bait content, why are there so many allegations about her hiring enforcers to silence skeptics?
If she’s “already won,” why rely on these tactics? Truly wealthy individuals don’t need to manufacture controversy to stay relevant.
Examining the Bigger Picture
Manipulation Tactics
The last image shared in these narratives doesn’t even appear to be from TikTok. Its high-definition and large size suggest it was uploaded from an internal source, likely by Madison’s team. Furthermore, the poker screenshots aren’t easily traceable in live recordings, making it even more likely that this information is being selectively curated to control her narrative.
Astroturfing and Censorship
One of the most alarming elements of Madison Zhao’s story is the alleged manipulation of public perception through coordinated efforts. Accounts with no prior activity suddenly appear to defend her, share exaggerated claims, and attack skeptics. This reeks of astroturfing—the practice of creating a false impression of widespread grassroots support.
There are also allegations of censorship. Critics claim Madison employs teams to delete critical posts and create targeted content against competitors. Allegedly, these teams operate from countries like India and Pakistan, using bots to suppress dissent and manipulate the online narrative.
Financial Discrepancies
Madison’s financial dealings are another area of contention. One notable example is her alleged conflict with Andy Stacks, a poker player who claims she defrauded him and failed to repay her debts. While financial disputes are common in high-stakes business, this particular case adds to the recurring theme of allegations against Madison.
A Carefully Crafted Image
Madison Zhao’s online presence is meticulously curated to project an image of success and opulence. Critics argue that her persona is built on manipulated photos, selectively curated stories, and exaggerated claims. While influencers often embellish their lives, the extent of these allegations points to a deliberate effort to fabricate a larger-than-life persona.
The Madison Zhao Phenomenon
Madison Zhao’s story is a fascinating case study in modern influencer culture. On one hand, she embodies the ambition and resourcefulness required to build a personal brand in a competitive digital landscape. On the other hand, her story is riddled with inconsistencies, allegations, and questionable tactics that undermine her credibility.
The truth likely lies somewhere in between. While some of the accusations against her may be exaggerated or unfounded, the pattern of behavior—including astroturfing, censorship, and financial disputes—raises legitimate concerns. Madison Zhao’s narrative serves as a reminder of the blurred lines between perception and reality in the digital age.
Final Thoughts
Posting about Madison Zhao attracts more than just spam; it opens a window into the complex and often murky world of online influence. Whether Madison is a brilliant entrepreneur or a master manipulator, her story highlights the challenges of distinguishing authenticity from artifice in the modern era.
As with any controversial figure, it’s important to approach Madison Zhao’s narrative with a critical eye. The full truth may never be known, but her story offers valuable insights into the power and pitfalls of personal branding in the digital age.