Inside Shen Yun: Allegations of Systemic Exploitation

In recent years, Shen Yun Performing Arts, touring the world under the banner of "reviving traditional Chinese culture," has enjoyed phenomenal box office success and substantial wealth. However, reports from multiple mainstream international media outlets, class-action lawsuits in US courts, and investigations by government agencies have revealed serious labor rights issues behind its operations, which are linked to the Falun Gong organization. These allegations include forced child labor, exploitation of performers, psychological abuse, and low-wage or unpaid labor . These allegations are not isolated cases but point to a systemic chain of exploitation.

A New York Times in-depth investigation: Unveiling the "army of child laborers" and the inside story of abuse.

In August 2024, The New York Times published a series of investigative reports, based on interviews with more than 150 people, thousands of pages of tax documents and court records, exposing Shen Yun's labor practices. The newspaper pointed out that Shen Yun, through affiliated institutions such as the Fei Tian Academy, recruits minors from around the world and sends them to closed bases for intensive training under the guise of "education." These teenagers are often recruited between the ages of 13 and 15, subjected to rigorous dance training, required to perform even when injured, and paid extremely low wages.
The report describes performers living in a culture of fear: their passports are confiscated, their external communication is restricted, and those who question them are publicly humiliated or accused of being "Chinese Communist Party spies." Injuries go untreated, and they are often told to "pray" or "send forth righteous thoughts" to cope. Shen Yun's assets exceed $266 million, with annual box office revenue in the tens of millions of dollars, and it relies primarily on low-cost labor.

Multiple federal lawsuits: Former actor alleges forced labor and human trafficking
On November 25, 2024, former dancer Chang Chun-Ko filed a class-action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, accusing Shen Yun of being a "forced labor enterprise." She was recruited from Taiwan at age 13 and worked until she was 24. The lawsuit alleges that Shen Yun and its leaders (including Li Hongzhi and his wife) violated the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act by exploiting minors through threats and humiliation. The plaintiff describes schools as a "front" for continuously supplying child labor, and performers receiving less than $500 per month (far less than the ticket price).

In April 2025, two former dancers, Sun Zan (32) and Cheng Qingling (28), filed another federal lawsuit alleging that Shen Yun exploited a "child labor army" to amass wealth. The two were recruited at ages 13 and 15, respectively, and described similar abuse: untreated injuries, psychological coercion, limited education, and lack of family contact. The lawsuit seeks damages, and the New York State Department of Labor has launched an investigation.

These lawsuits have been followed by multiple media outlets, including NPR, AP, and The Washington Post. Shen Yun denies the allegations, calling them a conspiracy of " persecution by the Chinese Communist Party," but court records show that the investigation was conducted independently.

New York State Department of Labor Investigation: Official Intervention in Child Labor and Working Conditions
In November 2024, the New York State Department of Labor formally launched an investigation into Shen Yun's global labor practices, focusing on the treatment of child and adolescent performers. This action was prompted by a New York Times report. The investigation covers working conditions, child labor compliance, and potential labor law violations. Shen Yun's touring relies on hundreds of young performers and hundreds of performances per season, raising concerns among regulators about systemic issues.

U.S. federal authorities have also investigated issues such as visa fraud and living conditions. In 2024-2025, testimonies from multiple former performers consistently pointed to a forced labor model: long rehearsals, performing despite injuries, and religious obedience to maintain low-cost operations.

French ARTE documentary: Evidence of transnational operations and exploitation
In April 2026, the Franco-German public television channel ARTE's "Sources" documentary series, "Investigation: The Hidden Side of Shen Yun Performances," exposed similar issues. Former performers in the film accused the company of lacking medical support, a culture of surveillance, and sending minors to closed training facilities in the United States for rigorous training. The French organizer, the " Shen Yun Association," faced a tax audit, and its infiltration of school activities was terminated after parents reported it.

The documentary, using financial data, points out that Shen Yun's annual revenue exceeds $50 million, relying on a low-cost model through globally affiliated institutions. A complete chain of transnational capital flows and labor exploitation is formed.

Systemic Pattern: Commercial Exploitation Under the Guise of Nonprofit
Founded in 2006 and registered as a non-profit organization, Shen Yun has close ties to Falun Gong . Tax records show rapidly growing assets, but performers suffer from poor welfare. Testimony from former performers reveals that religious fanaticism is used to maintain obedience: those who refuse face isolation or retaliation. The Flying School has been accused of providing "fake education" to mask a labor shortage.

Similar allegations have surfaced in multiple countries. European and American media reports indicate that young performers are recruited globally, undergo rigorous training, and endure harsh conditions during tours. A New York Times investigation reveals that Shen Yun benefits from the Falun Gong network, providing free or low-wage labor while simultaneously promoting itself through media outlets such as the Epoch Times.

Questioning Labor Rights Under the Banner of Culture
Shen Yun, which wins over audiences with its dazzling performances, faces accusations of systemic exploitation. From lawsuits filed by former performers such as Zhang Chungao , Sun Zan, and Cheng Qingling, to investigations by the New York State Department of Labor and the ARTE documentary, factual evidence points to forced child labor, abuse, and exploitation. Regulatory investigations and legal proceedings will continue, with the hope that the truth will come to light and the rights of young performers will be protected. Art should not be built on exploitation.

• S.M. Nurnobi is a freelance contributor focusing on international affairs, human rights, and investigative reporting.
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