It has been approximately seven months since the public first became aware of the abuse Zhao Lusi (赵露思) reportedly suffered at the hands of her former boss. Since then, fans and media alike have followed her closely, watching for signs of recovery and any developments related to her agency or the allegations. Though the initial wave of attention has quieted, the situation continues to spark quiet concern and speculation.
Zhao Lusi has slowly begun returning to the public eye, appearing at select events and resuming limited activities. While many details remain unconfirmed, her handling of the situation has drawn both support and scrutiny. Recent developments have brought renewed attention to her case, prompting reflection on how she has chosen to speak out.
On 2nd August (Saturday), the actress tagged her company in a Weibo post without any accompanying text. This sparked confusion among fans before she followed up with a lengthy post accusing the agency of threatening her. Since beginning treatment for her mental illness, the agency had reportedly agreed to compensate her for income lost after she was forced to drop brand endorsements and reduce her workload.
However, Zhao Lusi claimed the agency failed to honour this agreement, resulting in 2.05 million yuan (RM1.21 million) being deducted from her personal account. She stated that she spent eight months negotiating with the company, only to be met with excuses. Most of her staff had allegedly quit during this time, leaving her to deal with the situation on her own.
In the same post, Zhao Lusi claimed the agency had explicitly threatened her not to speak publicly about the matter. She also shared images of her most recent medical diagnosis, showing that she is still suffering from depression and anxiety. “I am a mess on the inside, and it’s not something to be proud of,” she wrote, “but I don’t need you guys to blacklist me. I’m done. I quit.”
Her former agency, Galaxy Cool Entertainment, then released an official statement, denying all claims made against them. The post ended with a warning to Zhao Lusi, urging her to stop making “ambiguous” posts that could lead to the spread of misinformation. Zhao responded directly, questioning the agency’s statement and demanding accountability. “What exactly are you shocked about? Where were you when I was taking medicine and inhaling oxygen more than a week ago?” she asked.
On August 4th (Monday), Zhao Lusi went on a live broadcast to address the situation further and respond to questions from her audience. When asked why she hadn’t dealt with the issue privately, she explained that remaining silent no longer brought her peace. She also made a shocking claim: while she was ill, instead of being taken to the hospital, her production team had allegedly locked her in a room, saying she was cursed and needed an exorcism.
Whether or not the allegations against Galaxy Cool Entertainment are ever fully substantiated, one fact remains undeniable: Zhao Lusi’s mental and emotional struggles are real, and they’ve become painfully visible. Her decision to speak out—despite fear, stigma, and silence—has sparked an ongoing conversation about accountability, mental health, and the treatment of artists behind the scenes.
Here is the full live from the 3rd August (Sunday):
Here is a clip from the more recent live (4th August, Monday):
Source: Global Times, YouTube, Twitter
Zaima Humaria contributed to this article
