Cryptocurrency tycoon Justin Sun, 36, is suing Chinese actress Jing Tian, 38, and her parents to recover a 30 million yuan ($4.5 million) "bride price." Sun, founder of the blockchain platform Tron with an estimated net worth of $8.5 billion, had proposed to Jing in January and transferred the money to her parents. The couple reportedly dated for about seven months and discussed marriage before their relationship ended earlier this year.
The dispute became public when Sun posted a lengthy account titled "My Girlfriend Jing Tian" on X, detailing their relationship, marriage plans, and an alleged plan to have a child via surrogacy. He claimed Jing later demanded an additional $50 million, prompting him to consult an AI chatbot, Claude, which advised him to reject the demand. Sun's lawyer confirmed that a court in Xi'an had accepted the case and that Sun applied for asset preservation.
Jing Tian, known for films like "From Vegas to Macau" and "Kong: Skull Island," responded on Weibo, denying that she would "sell her love for money" and stating her belief in the legal system. The public airing of their private life has become a major trending topic on Chinese social media, with reactions split between those criticizing Sun for disclosing intimate details and others mocking the involvement of AI in the breakup.
Sun admitted the dispute has taken an emotional toll and expressed doubts about relying on AI for personal crises. Despite concerns from his management about the impact on his business ventures, he stated the post was a necessary release of his feelings and he would leave the lawsuit to his legal team. Jing's management company has also stated they will handle the dispute legally.
