Even if you’re not familiar with Chinese pop culture, you’ll know that Weibo is the country’s biggest social media platform – so why is one of China’s most popular actresses ditching her account? Recently, Zhao Lusi (赵露思) bid farewell to her Weibo account and her 30 million-plus followers.
Earlier this week, the 26-year-old actress surprised fans after officially deleting her Weibo account. Since Weibo is one of China’s biggest social media platforms where most Chinese celebrities connect with the public, the move sparked concern. Additionally, Zhao Lusi is one of the biggest stars on the platform, with 31.22 million followers. However, the decision to delete her Weibo account wasn’t impulsive.
The actress expressed her wish to step down from the platform earlier this month, citing various issues, including online harassment and targeted attacks. As one of China’s most prominent young stars, Zhao Lusi constantly finds herself a victim of online harassment and false accusations. A recent example was when netizens accused her of using her role as China’s Agricultural Ambassador to promote a friend’s business.
Despite denying the allegations, the backlash towards the actress persisted. Adding to the frustration, Weibo did little to mitigate the hate, prompting Zhao Lusi’s decision to step down from the platform. The public figure also said that she had already discussed the matter with her partner brands and will no longer conduct any business on Weibo. Instead, Zhao Lusi is shifting her attention to her XiaoHongShu account, which now boasts over 20 million followers.
While the news saddened fans, many ultimately supported Zhao Lusi’s decision. Some also praised her for prioritising her mental health, noting how much hate and harassment she has faced on Weibo. In a recent live stream, the actress also alleged that Weibo had deliberately promoted and engaged in smear campaigns when she failed to attend one of its events, sparking more backlash towards the platform.
As a celebrity, deleting your social media isn’t an easy decision. However, we applaud Zhao Lusi for stepping away to take care of herself. What are your thoughts on this?
Sources: DimSum Daily, Twitter (1)(2)(3)
