On October 8, Sina Entertainment reported that actress Zhao Lusi is currently facing challenges in her career due to ongoing disputes with her management company, Galaxy Cool Entertainment. However, amid the turbulence, she has achieved a remarkable milestone — becoming the most-followed Chinese actress on Douyin with over 50 million followers, officially surpassing Dilraba Dilmurat, who had held the top position for the past two years.
In addition to Douyin, Zhao Lusi also ranks No.1 on Xiaohongshu, another major social media platform in China where Dilraba previously served as a brand ambassador. Given that Douyin and Xiaohongshu are currently the most widely used social platforms in China after Weibo, Zhao’s dominance highlights her unparalleled influence and mass appeal.
A Smart, Relatable Approach to Fans
According to Sina, Zhao Lusi’s success lies in her clever approach to audience engagement. Unlike many celebrities who maintain a distant or mysterious image, Zhao Lusi frequently shares snippets of her daily life, beauty routines, and product recommendations. This transparency and friendliness have made her appear more like a close friend than an unreachable star.
On Douyin, Zhao Lusi actively participates in trending challenges, posts lighthearted singing and dancing clips, and often appears on the platform’s “most viewed” list. Her drama projects are also heavily integrated with Douyin promotions, ensuring that her name and image stay visible to millions of users. This strategic use of social media has propelled her fame beyond established A-listers such as Liu Yifei, Zhao Liying, Yang Mi, and Ju Jingyi.
The Rivalry With Dilraba Dilmurat
Zhao Lusi is often described as the “rival” or even “nemesis” of Xinjiang-born beauty Dilraba Dilmurat. The comparisons date back to 2020, when both actresses starred in the historical drama The Long Ballad. Zhao Lusi portrayed Dilraba Dilmurat’s younger cousin — a role that unexpectedly drew more audience affection due to her gentle, charming appearance.
Critics pointed out that while Dilraba Dilmurat’s sharp, Western-influenced features give her a modern appeal, they do not always align with the soft aesthetics of period dramas. As a result, online discussions often favored Zhao Lusi, with some fans claiming she “outshone” Dilraba Dilmurat in visual chemistry and screen presence.
Moreover, the secondary couple — Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning — reportedly gained more popularity than the drama’s main pair, Dilraba Dilmurat and Leo Wu, highlighting Zhao Lusi’s ability to connect deeply with viewers.
Audience Power and Career Momentum
The rivalry reignited in June 2023, when both actresses released new series. Dilraba Dilmurat’s Prosecution Elite received lackluster reviews, with many criticizing her performance, while Zhao Lusi’s Hidden Love became one of the year’s most-watched romantic dramas across Chinese streaming platforms.
This contrast reinforced public opinion that Zhao Lusi is currently more capable of carrying a project and drawing audience attention than her established counterpart.
Despite management controversies, Zhao Lusi’s ability to maintain her charm and visibility through digital engagement demonstrates a clear understanding of the evolving entertainment landscape — one where social media presence can be as powerful as screen performance.
As her follower count continues to climb and her works maintain momentum, Zhao Lusi seems poised to solidify her standing not only as a leading actress but also as one of China’s most influential cultural icons of the new generation.
Sources: kenh14
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