Popular mainland Chinese actress Zhao Lusi fell ill while filming at the end of last year and had to cancel work, leading to a contract dispute with her agency “Galactic Entertainment”. She revealed during a live broadcast on August 8th that she currently feels like she has “one foot already out of the entertainment industry”. She even went on to help her former agent find a job online, sparking public attention.
Zhao Lusi, a 26-year-old rising star, gained fame in recent years for her roles in dramas like “Brilliant Starry Sky”, “Can’t Hide Love”, and “Pearl Screen and Jade Curtains”, earning her the title of a “top-tier young actress”. She fell ill while filming the new drama “Lover” at the end of last year and had to be rushed to the hospital. Recently, she took to social media to accuse her agency “Galactic Entertainment” of demanding compensation for losses incurred while she had to cancel work due to health issues and refusing to address related matters.
In various live broadcasts on different platforms, Zhao Lusi detailed the inhumane treatment she received from her agency after falling ill. The series of posts related to Zhao Lusi became a hot topic of discussion, with her name almost daily trending on search engines.
During the live broadcast on the evening of August 8th, Zhao Lusi responded to fans’ questions about “being oneself”, expressing her willingness as an artist and actress to listen to the opinions of the audience. She said, “Whatever the audience likes, that’s what I will be, unless I choose to leave this industry. As long as I remain in this industry, I will always listen to everyone’s opinions.”
However, feeling physically and mentally exhausted, she expressed helplessness, saying, “I may have already stepped half out of this industry, only that my other foot hasn’t caught up yet. So, I am starting to feel less inclined to listen to the opinions (of the audience), my compliance is not as strong anymore.”
When asked about being frozen by the agency without income and not allowed to terminate the contract, Zhao Lusi stated that she would put her best effort into any job she does. She admitted that since entering the entertainment industry, she has constantly changed herself based on external feedback, but now she wants to be true to herself. She choked up saying, “Do you believe in fate? I believe in fate. But even if I drive for Didi (Chinese ride-hailing service) tomorrow, I will drive two hours longer than others because I am someone who works hard.”
Seeking job opportunities for her agent, Zhao Lusi said, “I have nothing to do now, I am job hunting online, is there any HR manager here?”
In a series of six consecutive live broadcasts, Zhao Lusi showed her true self, admitting that “pretending to be sophisticated every day is exhausting”, and jokingly calling herself a “homebody actress”. She mentioned that she currently declines any endorsements or product placements because the proceeds would ultimately have to be shared with the agency, even firmly rejecting gifts from fans.
In exposing the dispute with “Galactic Entertainment” that has lasted for 8 months since falling ill last year, Zhao Lusi described her ongoing contract with them as “foolish renewal”, with more than 4 years left until its expiration in 2030. She accused the agency of abuse and verbal insults, and suspected being given the cold shoulder upon returning to work. Recently, it was revealed that she was asked to bear a compensation of 2.05 million Chinese yuan alone, but her request for a direct response was met with a denial statement.