Recently, the 26-year-old Chinese actress Zhao Lusi had a falling out with her management company “Galaxy Entertainment,” leading to a halt in her acting career. After publicly accusing her former agency, she deactivated her Weibo account with over 31 million followers. On the 20th, she made a public appearance in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province as a brand ambassador, causing chaos as a large crowd gathered, resulting in the premature end of the event.
During the brand event at a department store in Xi’an, Zhao Lusi, dressed in a pink round-neck sweater with a brown coat and matching pleated skirt, complemented her slender figure and elegant demeanor with knee-high boots and a coffee-colored handbag. She waved and greeted fans with a bright smile, causing screams of excitement throughout the venue.
However, Zhao Lusi only took a few photos on stage before the event was abruptly ended. The overwhelming crowd of fans filled the six-story department store, despite the efforts of 200 security personnel to maintain order. Concerns over safety forced the event to be called off prematurely, highlighting her enduring popularity.
Before leaving, Zhao Lusi urged fans to prioritize their safety. Later, during a live stream for the brand, she was seen emotional and shedding tears, possibly relieved after embarking on activities independently following the establishment of her new company.
Known for her roles in popular dramas such as “Shining Star,” “Can’t Hide,” and “Curtain Call,” Zhao Lusi gained fame in recent years. Last year, during the filming of the drama “Lover,” she was rushed to the hospital due to health issues, leading to work cancellations. Following her recovery, she accused “Galaxy Entertainment” in live streams of failing to fulfill compensation responsibilities as per their agreement, and placing the burden of losses solely on her.
Revealing the eight-month dispute with “Galaxy Entertainment” following her illness last year, Zhao Lusi described her ongoing contract with them until 2030 as a “foolish renewal.” She accused the agency of overworking her, misappropriating over 2 million yuan without consent, confining her to a hotel for exorcism rituals, and more, painting the agency in a negative light.
Amid her public criticisms and being unable to terminate the contract without paying a substantial penalty, Zhao Lusi declared on social media, “I quit without your suppression!” She publicly denounced the contract with Galaxy Entertainment, prompting shockwaves in the entertainment industry similar to unilaterally terminating the agreement.
According to mainland Chinese media “Red Star News,” a veteran talent agent mentioned that disputes over contract terminations often revolve around the power struggle between established artists and companies, not just financial gains. When artists are newcomers, the company holds all the decision-making power; once they become successful, the power shifts to the artists, leading to conflicts over control and differing opinions from family, friends, and fans.
Having collaborated with “Galaxy Entertainment” since she was 17, Zhao Lusi announced in a live stream on August 8th that she has partially left the entertainment industry and even helped her former manager find a new job. Following the establishment of her new company at the end of August, her association with “Galaxy Entertainment” ceased, indicating that the dispute between both parties may continue for a while.