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Former Shen Yun dancers sue over alleged forced child labor, abuse
Two former dancers have filed a federal lawsuit against Shen Yun Performing Arts — the U.S.-based classical Chinese dance company known for its colorful stage performances and spiritual messaging — alleging that the organization subjected them to forced child labor, emotional abuse and brutal working conditions while they were minors.
Filed in the Southern District of New York last month, the lawsuit names Shen Yun, its affiliated Fei Tian Academy of the Arts and Falun Gong founder Li Hongzhi as defendants. The plaintiffs, Sun Zan, 32, and Cheng Qing Ling, 28 — both originally from New Zealand — claim they were recruited as teenagers and endured years of physical and emotional mistreatment while living under strict control at the group’s compound in upstate New York.
Life inside the company
According to the lawsuit, Sun joined Shen Yun at age 15 and Cheng at 13. They allege they were forced into intensive 15-hour training days six days a week, received little or no pay and had limited access to education. Dancers were allegedly compelled to perform through injuries and illness and were discouraged from seeking medical care.
The complaint describes a culture of fear in which strict obedience was enforced. Cheng said she spent five years in “survival mode,” afraid of making mistakes. Sun recalled being forced into extreme stretches that caused internal bleeding and muscle tears, leaving him in “extreme pain for several weeks.”
Pattern of previous allegations
The new complaint echoes a similar lawsuit filed in November 2024 by former dancer Chang Chun-Ko, who said she was recruited as a child and subjected to psychological pressure and coercive control. “I started dancing for Shen Yun when I was only 13. From the outset, they showed me how cruel they could be towards those who disobeyed their authority. Thus, I knew I couldn’t leave without suffering dire consequences,” she told Berger Montague.
Her claims are consistent with findings from a 2024 New York Times investigation, which reported incidents of emotional abuse and untreated injuries among Shen Yun performers.
Organizational response
Shen Yun, which was founded in 2006 and is affiliated with the spiritual movement Falun Gong, has denied the accusations, saying it “operates with integrity” and is “committed to upholding the highest artistic and ethical standards.” The company said it does not exploit dancers or restrict access to medical care.
Carol Merchasin, the plaintiffs’ attorney, said the lawsuit seeks accountability for the treatment her clients allegedly endured. She emphasized the vulnerability of children placed in isolated, high-pressure environments.
The case remains pending in federal court with no trial date scheduled.
This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices.
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