Popular mainland Chinese actress Bai Lu announced on July 16 that she has parted ways with her longtime agency, “Huan Yu Entertainment,” after nearly 10 years as their contract expired without renewal. She took to Weibo to express her gratitude to the company, the boss Yu Zheng, and her colleagues. The news quickly made it to the top trending topics on Weibo, capturing the attention of a large number of fans.
At the age of 31, Bai Lu, who started her career as a Taobao model without formal training, signed with Yu Zheng’s “Huan Yu Entertainment.” She reminisced about her early days in the entertainment industry, expressing her gratitude to Yu Zheng for his guidance, stating, “Thank you for giving a young person who knew nothing a key to change destiny,” and describing Yu Zheng as a family member who supported and encouraged her.
Over the span of 10 years, Bai Lu appeared in over 15 drama series under the management of “Huan Yu Entertainment,” with Yu Zheng’s support propelling her popularity in recent years with series like “Bai Yue Fan Xing,” “Lin Jiang Xian,” and “Mo Li.” Yu Zheng has been known for his protective stance towards his artists, publicly defending Bai Lu’s team against unjust accusations, providing her with a strong sense of psychological security in the industry.
Bai Lu, known for her versatility, has successfully transitioned from roles in series like “Lie Huo Jun Xiao” to hits such as “Zhou Sheng Ru Gu” and “Ning An Ru Meng,” gradually becoming one of the leading actresses representing the post-90s generation in the mainland Chinese entertainment industry. Her exceptional commercial appeal and high viewership ratings have made her one of the key figures of “Huan Yu Entertainment” in recent years.
As the 10-year contract came to an end, there were no reports of resource disputes or legal battles, unlike common occurrences in the Chinese entertainment industry. Following Bai Lu’s announcement of not renewing the contract, Yu Zheng responded graciously, likening the departure of an artist at the end of a contract to “giving away a daughter,” emphasizing that expiration does not sever their bond and expressing his willingness to support her whenever needed.
Yu Zheng proudly stated, “Under my protection, they are all clean and pure, with no obligation and no hidden rules.” He mentioned how he feels saddened every time an artist decides not to renew, struggling to understand why, despite giving 100% of his sincerity and effort, they choose to leave. He believes that everyone is tempted by opportunities outside, and just like young birds growing up and desiring to explore beyond their nests, individuals also seek to venture to greater heights.
While the collaboration between Bai Lu and Yu Zheng garnered praise, some netizens interpreted Yu Zheng’s response as slightly sarcastic, suggesting that his love for Bai Lu had been in vain. Apart from thanking Yu Zheng, Bai Lu also expressed her gratitude to the company executives, colleagues, and her fans, who have supported her journey. Looking ahead, Bai Lu stated her willingness to explore new roles, new forms of expression, and embrace new rhythms in her career.
It is reported that Bai Lu has established her own studio and will lead her first new drama, “Kai Dao Tu Mian,” after parting ways with her former agency. She will star alongside talented actor Peng Guan Ying and young actor Chang Hu Sen. The drama is set to commence filming in Foshan, Guangdong on July 24, with many fans leaving messages of support and anticipation for Bai Lu’s new chapter in her acting career.