‘I quit’: Zhao Lusi voices out alleged ill-treatment by management agency

Chinese actress Zhao Lusi has voiced out alleged mistreatment by her management agency Galaxy Cool Entertainment.

In a Weibo post on Aug 2, the 26-year-old claimed that the company had manipulated her into signing the withdrawal of 2.05 million yuan (S$366,400) from her personal studio’s account.

She wrote: “Because I was unwell, I was forced to cancel some brand endorsements to reduce the pressure from filming. You said you would be responsible for my illness, but I was the one who made monetary compensation in the end.”

This January, Lusi revealed she is suffering from depression after photos of her in a wheelchair at the accident and emergency department of a hospital circulating online sparked public concern.

She also shared then that she was assaulted by an unnamed individual from her management company in 2019 for failing an audition.

Some of Lusi’s notable works are Love Like the Galaxy (2022), Hidden Love (2023) and The Story of the Pearl Girl (2024). Her upcoming drama includes Love’s Ambition, which also stars Hong Kong actor William Chan. She was filming Chinese drama Almost Lover when her health condition worsened and filming was stopped indefinitely.

Lusi added in her latest post that despite the compensation, there haven’t been any discussions with her about reinstating her studio’s operation.

She wrote: “I had given 2.05 million yuan, but there’s no outcome to the discussion, do I still continue to fork out money in the future? Despite multiple discussions, there’s still no agreement about reinstating the studio’s operation, how many staff are there left in the team?

“I waited eight months for an outcome, and this is the outcome? Dissolving the drama production team is the outcome? … My compensation is the outcome?”

She claimed that she had tried to discuss with her company about terminating her contract, but someone there has allegedly been avoiding the conversation, telling Lusi to lie low as she could be cancelled in the industry.

“I don’t need you to blacklist me. I quit,” she added.

Lusi also included two medical reports in her post, with the clinical examinations for depression and anxiety putting her in the severe range.

Lusi’s agency ‘silently withstanding immense pressure’

Galaxy Cool Entertainment responded in a Weibo post yesterday (Aug 3) that they were “shocked” by Lusi’s claims and that they have been communicating with her.

The statement added: “We have never engaged in any illegal behaviour or breach of contract. Especially after Lusi’s illness, out of consideration for her physical and mental well-being, our company has prioritised her wishes and actively coordinated all matters.”

They also wrote that they have been “silently withstanding immense pressure” to prevent negative impact and losses and that Lusi is welcomed to contact them for a resolution if she has any questions about their work.

“We hope that Lusi will refrain from posting ambiguous content online that could mislead the public,” they added.

The agency has also reportedly unfollowed Lusi’s personal Weibo account.

‘Nothing is forever’

Lusi subsequently reposted the statement claiming nobody in the company had attempted to contact her and that a staff member has been going around the industry claiming she is feigning her illness.

Lusi also livestreamed on Douyin yesterday, where she assured fans multiple times that she is okay.

She said: “There were many people who started spreading rumours, such as how I did this (made the posts) because I am ill… I just want to show everyone that I am undergoing treatment and don’t want anyone to speculate about me… I am okay, I am very calm right now.”

She added she made those posts because she doesn’t want to put up with how she was treated anymore.

Lusi also said: “After years in this industry, not saying I’ve earned a lot of money, but I still have some savings. So don’t worry about me. If I am really unable to continue [in showbiz], I am thinking of opening a small noodle business. It’s really alright, nothing is forever.”