Chinese actress Zhao Lusi, once celebrated as the nation’s “sweetheart actress,” is now facing intense scrutiny after her official Weibo account, with 31 million followers, was permanently deleted on August 19.
The deletion, requested by Zhao Lusi herself, sparked widespread speculation, as fans and media wondered if it was linked to ongoing controversies regarding her livestreams and management disputes.
Weibo Deletion Sparks Buzz
Earlier on the same day, Zhao Lusi was still active on Weibo, updating her profile picture. Her sudden account removal triggered rumors of a “soft ban,” but authorities clarified that Zhao Lusi had voluntarily requested the deletion. Under Weibo’s policy, accounts are removed within 15 days of a user request. Despite losing her Weibo presence, Zhao Lusi continues to engage fans on Xiaohongshu and Douyin.
In a recent livestream on her remaining platforms, Zhao Lusi called Weibo a “WC” (bathroom), expressing frustration at the platform’s hot search practices—a bold public statement rarely made by top-tier Chinese celebrities.
Contract Disputes and Alleged Exploitation
Zhao Lusi is also embroiled in a contract dispute with her management company, Galaxy Cool Entertainment, over alleged labor exploitation. Zhao Lusi wants to terminate her contract, but the company reportedly demands compensation at a 3:7 ratio, totaling 400 million CNY. She publicly exposed these issues during livestreams, revealing harsh working conditions and unfair demands.
Earlier, Zhao Lusi faced criticism related to promoting agricultural products via livestream. Some accused her of falsely claiming official “agriculture ambassador” status to profit from sales. However, authorities confirmed that the relevant government certification was only granted to the brand, not Zhao Lusi personally, clearing her of allegations of forgery.
Career Downfall
Once admired for her breakout roles in Oh! My Emperor and The Romance of Tiger and Rose, Zhao Lusi’s career has increasingly been overshadowed by controversy:
- Professional disputes: She publicly criticized her management without providing clear evidence, eroding public trust.
- Work reliability: Zhao Lusi skipped filming obligations while attending entertainment events, disrupting production schedules.
- On-set tensions: Accusations arose that she undermined colleagues and leveraged others’ fame to advance her profile.
- Excessive victim narrative: Her frequent mentions of personal struggles and health issues in livestreams were seen as overplayed, turning initial sympathy into criticism.
As a result, Zhao Lusi has shifted from a rising star to a figure associated with scandal, controversy, and unreliability. Industry insiders now regard her as a high-risk collaborator whose involvement can trigger negative media attention.
Zhao Lusi’s Weibo deletion, livestream provocations, and management conflicts highlight the precarious nature of celebrity fame in China. Fans remain divided: some support her outspokenness and fight for fair treatment, while others criticize her handling of controversies and professional image.
Unless Zhao Lusi manages to rebuild her public image and stabilize her professional relationships, her future in the fiercely competitive Chinese entertainment industry remains uncertain.
Sources: kenh14
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