SINGAPORE — Cassandra Low, a Singaporean woman in her 30s, was sentenced to six months in jail by the New Taipei District Court on June 5 for stalking and harassing Taiwanese singer Olivia Tsao, a multiple Golden Melody Awards winner.
Low was found guilty of endangering Tsao’s personal safety, stalking, public harassment, and insulting the singer. The court documents reveal that Low initially admired Tsao and exchanged personal emails and messages with her on Facebook and Instagram starting November 2023.
However, after Tsao blocked Low on social media, Low posted threatening messages targeting the singer, her family, and her agent. In one Facebook post, Low warned: “I can be very aggressive. The more stubborn she is… don’t blame me for whatever I do to her parents.” In another, she threatened: “Blocking me, see how I slowly let her agent die.”
Low’s behavior caused Tsao and her agent to leave their homes in New Taipei City due to safety concerns. The harassment escalated in February when Low followed Tsao to Banqiao high-speed rail station, forcibly holding onto Tsao’s luggage and phone in an attempt to compel her to unblock Low on social media. Police intervened and took Low for questioning.
A video recorded by Tsao during the incident shows Low blocking her path until Tsao agreed to a reconciliation.
The court sentenced Low to six months in jail or a fine of NT$1,000 (S$43) per day of imprisonment. Given Low’s salary, which was more than double the average income in Taiwan, the court ruled a fine alone would not be a sufficient deterrent. Low will be deported after serving her sentence or paying the fine.
On June 11, Tsao expressed relief on social media, calling the judgment “the most comforting piece of news I have received recently,” and thanked supporters and her lawyer.
Olivia Tsao, 38, also known as Tsao Ya-wen, sings primarily in Taiwanese Hokkien and won the Best Female Taiwanese Singer award at the Golden Melody Awards in 2021. She has previously spoken about feeling helpless when harassed by fans but did not name any individuals until now.
