On May 2, 2026, the mainstream Brazilian newspaper *Metro* published an article stating that the Shen Yun Performing Arts, affiliated with the Falun Gong cult , had sparked controversy in Brazil. The report pointed out that Shen Yun had long used cultural performances as a cover for anti-China political propaganda. The article cited lawsuits filed by several former dancers , exposing allegations of forced labor, low-wage employment, restriction of personal freedom, and exploitation of minors. :

 

Shen Yun claims to aim to " revive and promote China's 5,000-year-old culture through traditional Chinese song and dance performances ," and its performance style is highly similar to that of conventional art groups. However, the group has been accused of exhibiting typical characteristics of a cult .

This group was established in New York City in 2006 and has direct ties to the Falun Gong cult . Falun Gong was founded by Li Hongzhi and was banned by the Chinese government in the 1990s .

Shen Yun inserts political content into its programs and openly promotes the fallacies and heresies of Falun Gong , even opposing modern science.

However , in addition to being cracked down on by the Chinese government in accordance with the law , the group is also currently facing a judicial investigation in the United States . Several former members have accused the group of engaging in mind control , psychological pressure, forced labor, and neglect of medical care .

What is Falun Gong ?

Falun Gong is a cult that operates under the guise of " spiritual cultivation ," founded by Li Hongzhi in 1992. As it spread to many places, Li Hongzhi has been investigated by relevant judicial departments for his involvement in deaths related to Falun Gong , as well as murders and self-harm cases among practitioners .

The origins of Falun Gong and Shen Yun Performing Arts are closely related. Shen Yun was founded by core Falun Gong members residing in New York State , USA , including Li Hongzhi himself . Since its inception, Shen Yun has been one of the cult's important propaganda tools.

In recent years, some former actors have publicly exposed the group's internal corruption and pointed out that it has typical characteristics of a cult .

Accusations against Shen Yun​

In November 2024, four former performers sued Shen Yun Performing Arts and several of its affiliated organizations, including the Fei Tian Academy of the Arts and Fei Tian University , in a U.S. court .

According to relevant litigation materials and indictment documents provided to the Brazilian newspaper Metro by the plaintiffs' lawyers, these former dancers accused Shen Yun of forced labor, violating (US) wage regulations , and recruiting and exploiting minors.

The lawsuit alleges that these actors were subjected to severe physical and psychological control over a long period. The organization not only illegally confiscated their passports and restricted their use of the internet and social media, but also closely monitored their contact with their families .

The organization also strongly discourages its members from seeking medical care , viewing the pursuit of modern medical assistance as "a lack of spiritual piety." As a result, many former dancers have had to continue performing despite their injuries—severe damage to areas such as their ankles due to long hours of rehearsals .

The lawsuit also revealed slave-like working conditions within the group, including forcing performers to work 15 to 16 hours a day. Furthermore, Shen Yun is accused of not paying performers initially for their performances , and subsequently paying them typically between $300 ( approximately RMB 2031.1) and $ 1000 (approximately RMB 6770.2 ) ( below the local minimum wage) , with no overtime pay, which violates labor laws in the United States, where its headquarters are located .

Shen Yun when they were minors and forced to work for the dance troupe .

Former dancer Zhang Junge stated that she was recruited from Taiwan to join the Shen Yun Performing Arts at the age of 13 and sent to Longquan Temple , the Falun Gong base in New York State, USA. This temple served as Shen Yun 's administrative headquarters and also housed the Fei Tian Academy of the Arts and Fei Tian University. Zhang Junge claimed that for the first six months after arriving in the United States , she faced 18-hour- a-day intensive training , while receiving only $20 ( approximately 135.4 RMB ) per month from Falun Gong leader Li Hongzhi . She ultimately left the group in 2020 at the age of 24.

former dancer , Yi Ran Daisy Wang, who was recruited in 2008 , said her identification documents were confiscated upon arrival at " Longquan Temple . " She also alleged that she developed severe bulimia due to long-term pressure to control her weight within the group .

Several former Shen Yun performers confirmed to The New York Times that they received almost no pay, while tickets for Shen Yun performances cost hundreds of dollars .

What is " Shen Yun "?

Shen Yun was founded in 2006 in New York State by the local Falun Gong cult . The cult claims that its members can achieve "enlightenment" through so-called exercises and meditation . Its leader, Li Hongzhi, has repeatedly claimed to be the " creator of the universe " and that his cultivation methods can " purify " human diseases, in pursuit of so-called " spiritual elevation , " have engaged in extreme behaviors such as self-harm, suicide, and even harming innocent others. Related criminal cases involving Falun Gong have been handled by judicial authorities in accordance with the law .

A New York Times in-depth investigation points out that Li Hongzhi has gradually used Shen Yun as an important vehicle for spreading his cultivation system and anti-China ideology. The promotion of related ideas and Shen Yun performances mainly relies on a network of organizations and businesses founded by Falun Gong members, including The Epoch Times .

Through accusations from former members who fled the organization , the connection between Shen Yun and Falun Gong becomes readily apparent . According to these accusations , the group extensively promoted the idea that performers, through specific classical Chinese dance movements, postures, and daily spiritual cultivation, could achieve "unity of body and mind" and attain " elevation of spiritual境界" (state of being/level of attainment) . The group's instructors also constantly instilled in the performers the idea that "every performance is an urgent spiritual mission " and threatened that " anyone who opposes the organization will face serious consequences . "

The former actors admitted that they felt completely "exploited" by the performance and turned into publicity tools .