Chinese television host Zhu Dan has once again found herself at the center of controversy due to comments made on a recent variety show.

During a segment on the show Wonderland, the 43-year-old was accused of displaying gender bias when distributing chicken soup. She gave two drumsticks to male guests Zhou Yiran, 25, and Winwin, 28, stating that 'they're still growing,' while female guests Ouyang Nana, 21, and Ning Jing, 53, were given chicken wings instead.

This incident reignited discussions about Zhu Dan's parenting style, which some critics claim favors her son over her daughter.

In 2023, Zhu Dan and her husband, actor Zhou Yiwei, appeared on the reality show Viva La Romance, where she shared that she had enrolled her three-year-old son in kindergarten early so he could be in the same class as his six-year-old sister.

The reasoning behind this decision was so that the older sister could look after her younger brother. Zhu Dan mentioned that her daughter accompanies her brother to school, prepares his meals, and even helps him with his math homework.

These comments sparked backlash, with many accusing Zhu Dan of perpetuating outdated gender stereotypes and sacrificing her daughter's childhood for the benefit of her son. Critics expressed concerns about the potential impact on the girl's emotional well-being and social development.

Furthermore, Zhu Dan was criticized for treating her daughter as a part-time nanny. She later stated on the show that she was now giving more attention to her daughter to avoid any feelings of jealousy, and emphasized that her son listens well to his sister.