Zhao Lusi Breaks Silence Amidst Health Issues

Chinese actress, Zhao Lusi, 26, hugged headlines recently due to the expose' of her friend about the actress's major health crisis due to mental and physical abuse from her company and staff members. 

Zhao Lusi's friend puts into the details the struggle and trauma that the actress experienced for the past years as a result of these abuses. "I hope someone will step forward to take responsibility and provide a clear explanation," she said.

Zhao Lusi in "The Story of Pearl Girl"

According to her friend, the actress is suffering from "aphasia", which is defined as a language disorder that affects how you communicate, and caused by damage in the area of the brain that controls language expression and comprehension. Aphasia leaves a person unable to communicate effectively with others.

On Dec. 27, Zhao Lusi’s management team announced that she experienced health problems a few days ago and was taken to the hospital for examination. 

The team also announced that the actress will pause all work-related activities to focus on health recovery.

Zhao Lusi for a brand campaign 

Just today, January 1, 2025, Zhao Lusi posted a long message on her Weibo account, in response to controversy and disclosed sensitive information about her health and what she went through:

(The following is a Google translation of Zhao Lusi's statement on Weibo, there might be difference between the real meaning in Mandarin and the Google's English translation)

"This is my first and last response to all the recent events. I am really sorry for occupying public resources.

Before this, my illness did not affect my work and the people around me. I also acknowledged my own problems because I am more tolerant. It was only during this half month that I realized that I am not a magnanimous person at heart, so I am also responsible.

My profession has allowed me to get more help and support. I am really grateful and lucky, so I can understand all the misunderstandings and support. 

You can choose the career you yearn for at any time because you always have the right to escape from the current predicament that makes you suffer and tired. You can stop at any time. You are free and you can be brave. 

You also understand that you have been wronged and unfair, and have heard too many terrible stories. If you are covered in the mouth without getting any help and the perpetrators continue to intensify, regardless of profession, age, or gender, I think it is wrong to force the scars to prove that "it's not that I can't think it through", "it's not that I can't bear it", "it's not that I am dissatisfied". 

This is outrageous, but no matter what the cause of the trauma is, no one except doctors is qualified to judge whether the incident is serious or not, or whether it can be the cause of the disease.

In 2019, I became depressed and said, "Don't make a fuss." "Everything will be fine if you think about it." I also feel that I am too hypocritical and too sensitive and do not pay attention to my psychological problems.

In 2021, I felt like there were bugs crawling on my body and a feeling of being pricked by needles, accompanied by allergies. I went to the hospital to get medicine and injections, but the symptoms did not improve. Then I found a psychologist and started treatment to relieve emotional tension.

In 2023, pneumonia, emphysema, pityriasis rosea, urticaria, night sweats, awakening, neurological deafness, and various news about the death of relatives and cancer occurred one after another in a short period of time. However, the events were greater than my feelings, which led me to continue to ignore them.

In 2024, I began to experience frequent dry retching, dizziness, joint pain, cervical pain, etc., and obvious somatic symptoms and aggravation of allergies. At that time, I thought it was because I had taken allergy targets. It was caused by the normal side effects of the drug.

When I was a child, I was always told that I was a good-for-nothing vase. I was beaten in the teacher's dormitory during after-school tutoring. I thought it was right to be beaten for not studying well, but I didn't dare to say anything because "you have to find the reasons from yourself for everything."

When I grew up, I was beaten again. I thought it was my fault that I didn't get a chance to act in a play. I didn't dare to make a fuss. I just wanted to escape. I was used to handling my own affairs, and I didn't have the habit of asking anyone for help. Later, because my work was recognized, I was grateful for the confidence given by everyone, so I had the courage to say goodbye.

In the end, she took away the huge "breakup fee" and she was willing to stop "crying, making a fuss, and hanging herself." The industry and outsiders have been constantly spreading rumors and slandering countless people. After "gossiping", they come to chat with me.

In fact, each time, the pain deepens, so this has not stopped hurting me.

In fact, I understand very well that I have no right to want everything, nor can I demand that everything around me, my friends, parents, company, etc., be perfect. I have never been hurt, and I have tried my best to protect me, which is enough.

I have never mentioned this disease before, and I don’t want the illness to become the so-called "hype" it is now. But now that things have come to this, I want everyone to understand more: Depression is an emotion, but depression is a disease. It is no longer something that can be solved by "thinking more open-mindedly" or "speaking out".

I sincerely hope that you who "feel the same" as me, whether you are truly "understood" in such a situation is no longer important, and you will continue to be in the vortex of discussion, constantly proving yourself but unable to save yourself. 

It is really important to understand mental illness and attach importance to psychotherapy. Regret is a useless emotion. "Then think of it as giving yourself "special time" to overturn the previous inner contradictions and an opportunity to rebuild yourself." 

I am grateful for all the care, because love makes me live again. I wish you all a happy new year and happiness every day".

Zhao Lusi in the filming of Almost Lover 

Zhao Lusi last starred in the costume drama, "The Story of Pearl Girl" (2024). She has two upcoming modern dramas: " Love's Ambition" with William Chan and "Almost Lover" with Peng Guanying.