Chinese Star Zhao Lusi, who had been diagnosed with aphasia and depression at the end of last year, announced a hiatus for treatment. However, after a month of rest, she appeared at an event at the end of January using a cane and gradually resumed work. Recently, during her participation in a variety show, she experienced sudden confusion in speech and moments of absent-mindedness, leading to speculation from the public that it might be related to the aftermath of her depression.
Zhao Lusi rose to fame for her performances in dramas such as “Stars Shining Brightly,” “Can’t Hide My Secret Love,” and “Luxurious Screens and Curtains.” At the end of last year, she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital while filming a new drama called “Lovers,” leading to a complete halt in her acting work. Video footage from that time showed her head limp on her shoulder, body curled up, face pale, with a tube in her nose, revealing her struggles with aphasia and depression to the public.
After a month of recuperation, Zhao Lusi recently participated in filming the reality show “A Little Courage” on Hunan Satellite TV’s Mango TV, sparking concerns about her health condition among the public. Sharp-eyed netizens noticed that during a conversation with the show’s staff, she suddenly exhibited language confusion and moments of absent-mindedness, taking about 3 seconds to regain composure, causing significant worry.
Following the broadcast of the show segment, internet users referred to Zhao Lusi’s vacant absent-minded behavior as “brain fog reaction,” and the keyword “Zhao Lusi brain fog reaction” immediately trended on Weibo. Netizens sent messages of encouragement to Zhao Lusi, urging her to take good care of herself and not rush back to work.
According to reports from mainland media, due to the intense discussion around the “brain fog reaction,” especially with experts pointing out that “brain fog” is a common symptom under mental stress, possibly caused by prolonged pressure or psychological illnesses, which can inevitably affect one’s daily life and work performance. To avoid unnecessary controversies, the TV station discreetly edited out the footage of Zhao Lusi’s vacant expression, cutting the original 80-minute episode down to 74 minutes, and the extended version from 22 minutes to 19 minutes.
Many netizens expressed that Zhao Lusi is currently in a fragile state, and as a star who garners constant attention, she may have chosen to participate in such a program in hopes of self-healing. However, this challenge may have intensified her inner anxiety, making her seem like someone on the path to healing, forcefully thrust into the spotlight, displaying wounds that have yet to fully heal. Some netizens lamented that in this era of pursuing ratings at all costs, some programs are willing to sacrifice everything for popularity, which is truly saddening.