After more than two decades of keeping his personal life firmly out of the spotlight, Mandopop star JJ Lin has surprised fans by publicly acknowledging that he is in a romantic relationship.
The Singaporean singer, 44, shared a photo on Monday, December 29, celebrating his mother's 70th birthday, offering what many see as his most open confirmation yet of his love life.
In the image, a woman widely believed to be his girlfriend appears relaxed and at ease among Lin's family members, with her hand resting affectionately on his mother's shoulder.
Lin captioned the post with a reflective message, "Love doesn't need long speeches. It's about standing by each other, rain or shine, offering the truest companionship and sharing life's purest joys."
While understated by celebrity standards, the moment marked a significant shift for Lin, who has long guarded his private life. For months, speculation had swirled online that he was dating a younger Chinese influencer known as Annalisa Qi Qi.
The rumours gained traction earlier this year after the pair were reportedly spotted together in social settings, including in Los Angeles, with coordinated outfits adding to talk of a romance.
Annalisa Qi Qi is reportedly 23 years old and a graduate of the Parsons School of Design in New York City, according to her Instagram profile.
Media reports have also suggested that her family is well-to-do and owns properties in the United States and Japan, with Lin said to have stayed at one of the residences during visits. At the time, Lin's management responded cautiously, stating that his focus remained on music and declining to address questions about his personal life directly.
That changed following the December 29 post, which fans quickly dubbed the "family of four portrait". Netizens were quick to connect the dots, concluding that the woman in the photo was the same individual previously linked to the singer through online gossip.
Throughout his more than 20-year career, Lin has been notably private about romantic relationships. While he has occasionally been the subject of dating rumours involving actresses and models, he has rarely confirmed or denied them publicly.
Responding to queries from Lianhe Zaobao, Lin's manager said, "He's very happy now and thanks everyone for their concern. He doesn't have specific plans at the moment and will continue to focus on life and work." Addressing online speculation about a possible pregnancy, the manager added: "She is not pregnant."
The post sparked a wave of reactions across social media, with fans expressing surprise at Lin's openness and many offering congratulations. Singapore celebrities including Zoe Tay, Pan Ling Ling, Shaun Chen and Terence Cao also chimed in, though their attention was firmly on the occasion at hand — sending birthday wishes to Lin's mother.
For fans, the moment signals a rare and meaningful glimpse into the private world of one of Mandopop's most enduring stars.
