Chinese actress Zhao Lusi was recently at the center of a massive controversy, after being accused of forging a government seal and falsely calling herself an “ambassador supporting farmers.” The accusations spread like wildfire, with nearly 200 million netizens debating the issue on social media.
However, after a day of online chaos, authorities confirmed that the seal was genuine, clearing Zhao Lusi of any wrongdoing. Netizens quickly discovered signs that the scandal was not organic but rather a deliberate smear campaign. Suspicion fell on media outlets linked to Esther Yu — Zhao Lusi’s long-rumored industry rival.
On August 13, a self-proclaimed agricultural expert posted claims that Zhao Lusi exaggerated farming difficulties in Shaanxi and hinted that the official seal might be fake. Just 18 minutes later, a media company called Qianjiang Video released a video accusing Zhao Lusi of forging the seal, framing her livestream words to sound misleading.
That same company has ties to Yuehua Entertainment, Esther Yu’s management agency, and has a history of posting negative coverage of Zhao Lusi while heavily promoting Esther Yu, even for her less successful projects.
Zhao Lusi attempted to clarify that the “ambassador” title was given to her company, not herself personally. But the wave of online hate escalated so quickly that Zhao Lusi ultimately deleted her Weibo account permanently on August 13.
Fans believe this was exactly what her rivals intended — to silence her voice and damage her reputation.
Despite the attacks, mainstream Chinese media later defended Zhao Lusi, praising her efforts in promoting apples from Shaanxi province, which farmers confirmed had suffered from hail damage and poor sales.
Grateful farmers publicly thanked Zhao Lusi for helping boost their income, and many netizens began to question the motives behind the smear campaign.
While Zhao Lusi is not entirely free from risk — especially with ongoing disputes involving her management — the scandal may end up strengthening her public image. She is now seen as both a victim of industry sabotage and a celebrity genuinely using her platform to support farmers.
Her rivalry with Esther Yu, however, seems destined to intensify.
Sources: kenh14
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