Influencer Faces Backlash for Filming Wife’s Childbirth and Inserting Advertisement
Millions were left disturbed after a Chinese influencer livestreamed his wife’s 23-hour labor and delivery on the social media platform Weibo, and allegedly included a paid advertisement during a medical emergency. The influencer, known online as “Paul in USA,” a 36-year-old graduate of Columbia University, had amassed a following of over 12.2 million documenting his life as a product manager at Microsoft in Seattle.
The footage reportedly showed his wife’s exposed body and captured a critical medical situation. According to the South China Morning Post, the wife suffered a third-degree perineal tear and lost 3,344ml of blood due to postpartum hemorrhage, requiring an emergency blood transfusion. The influencer allegedly continued filming and inserted a paid advertisement for diapers during the crisis.
Reports indicate Paul in USA charged up to 298,000 yuan (approximately $41,500 USD as of February 23, 2026) for videos exceeding 60 seconds. The exact earnings from the diaper advertisement before the video’s removal remain unclear.
Wife Defends Footage, Platform Bans Account
Despite widespread criticism, the influencer’s wife initially released a statement defending the video, stating their intention was to authentically document the childbirth process and that they did not anticipate complications. However, this explanation failed to quell the public outcry, with many accusing the influencer of exploiting his wife’s pain for financial gain.
Weibo responded to the backlash on February 11, 2026, by banning the “Paul in USA” account for violating platform policies and relevant laws.
Background on “Paul in USA”
According to Newswav, the influencer, born in 1990, graduated from Columbia University and previously worked as a product manager at Microsoft.
Paul Fisher is currently an Azure AppDev Technology Architect at Microsoft, with a background including studies at Boston University.
there are multiple individuals named Paul who attended Columbia University. Paul Bailo is a Lecturer and Global Head for Digital Strategy & Innovation at Infosys Digital, with extensive experience in digital transformation and analytics.