Chinese actress Zhao Wei is reportedly going through the darkest period of her life, as confirmed by her older brother, Zhao Jian, on July 12. According to Chinese media, Zhao Jian broke his silence to speak out about the sustained online attacks and fabricated rumors targeting his sister’s reputation over recent years.
In particular, Zhao Jian revealed that multiple social media accounts had been spreading false claims about Zhao Wei, linking her to illegal online activities in northern Myanmar. These allegations included fabricated stories of her involvement in scams and damaging insinuations about her personal life.
“My sister is going through the darkest, most painful time in her life,” Zhao Jian said. “She’s overwhelmed by insults and attacks online, unsure how to defend herself or who to confide in. Zhao Wei is not a superhero—she’s just a simple, sincere person. She’s an actress and director who loves her craft. She’s flesh and blood, capable of love, and yearning to be loved. But people are hurting her,” Zhao Jian said, visibly angered.
Zhao Jian also revealed that the impact of the malicious rumors has extended beyond Zhao Wei herself, severely affecting their family—especially their elderly mother, who has been unable to eat or sleep due to anxiety and sorrow.
“These groundless rumors have caused deep pain. That’s why I’m speaking on her behalf, to clarify the situation and plead with the public to stop the cyberbullying,” Zhao Jian added.
One shocking discovery came after the family reported the incidents to the police. Investigations found that the mastermind behind the defamation campaign was a practicing lawyer. The man admitted to fabricating rumors to gain media attention and attract potential clients for his law firm.
Beyond the impact on Zhao Wei herself, Zhao Jian described the emotional toll the situation has taken on their family. Their elderly mother has reportedly suffered from sleepless nights and emotional distress, frequently calling her children to share her anxiety and heartbreak.
Zhao Wei, he emphasized, is not a “superhuman,” but an artist and a sensitive soul who cherishes her craft and longs to be understood and loved. “She’s a flesh-and-blood human being, a sincere and simple actress and director who loves art”, he insisted.
After enduring years of silence and emotional strain, Zhao Wei has finally decided to take a stand. According to Zhao Jian, she has officially filed a lawsuit against those responsible for spreading malicious content, choosing the legal route to protect her name and integrity.
This marks the first time in her more than two-decade career that Zhao Wei has taken public legal action over defamatory rumors. Her decision was met with an outpouring of support from fans and the general public.
Online, netizens quickly rallied behind Zhao Wei. Comments on social media praised her courage and expressed frustration that she had endured so much without speaking up sooner, such as, “She should’ve done this a long time ago, We fully support Zhao Wei in seeking justice!, and I hope she wins the lawsuit and makes a comeback soon.“