Chinese actress Zhao Lusi opens up about battle with depression

Chinese actress Zhao Lusi. Photo from Zhao's Weibo

As reported by Sohu and Sina, in a Weibo post on Wednesday, Zhao emphasized that she does not use her illness to garner media attention. She decided to go public following numerous rumors that adversely affected her and her family.

Zhao recounted being labeled as "a vase" in her childhood—an epithet suggesting beauty without talent—which led to bullying. Growing up with this stigma, she believed that poor treatment she received was a result of her inadequacies and chose to handle her challenges alone without seeking help. She weathered numerous unfounded rumors, including allegations of cosmetic surgery and mistreating colleagues. Despite paying a breach of contract fee to part ways with her former management company, she continued to encounter significant slander, each instance adding to her mental distress.

Zhao first noticed symptoms of depression six years ago, when people around her would dismiss her concerns, advising her to "not overdo it" and to "think broadly and everything will be fine." Such comments led her to overlook her psychological issues, considering herself weak.

Her condition deteriorated in 2021, when she experienced sensations of needles or insects crawling on her skin, accompanied by allergic reactions. Despite seeking medical advice and receiving injections, her symptoms persisted. Eventually, Zhao turned to psychological therapy and began treatment to alleviate her stress.

In the following years, her health worsened further, suffering from ailments including pneumonia, pneumothorax, hives, night sweats, and episodes of waking up in terror. The death of a family member within the same period compounded her stress, yet she continued to neglect her well-being due to her professional obligations. In 2024, she battled symptoms like dry vomiting, dizziness, joint and neck pain, and frequent allergic reactions.

At the conclusion of her post, Zhao expressed a wish for greater public understanding that depression cannot simply be resolved through positive thinking or open expression.

"Do not let yourself be trapped in a whirlwind of public opinion but unable to save yourself," she wrote. "Understanding mental illnesses and focusing on treatment is crucial. Consider it a time to resolve inner conflicts and reestablish yourself."

Zhao also expressed gratitude for the support she has received: "Thanks to everyone’s love, I can live again. I wish everyone a happy new year and happiness every day."

Her revelation quickly became a trending topic on Weibo, receiving millions of likes and over 160,000 comments. One fan expressed hopes for Zhao to find joy and sorrow freely: "On the first day of 2025, I just hope you can cry and laugh whenever you want. Life can be both bitter and sweet, it can bear burdens or let them go, to be peaceful and happy."

"Things will go well," another commented. "We will always support you. Believe in yourself and in us."

A representative from Zhao’s management company confirmed on the same day that they have been actively supporting her in navigating these challenges.

"We will not tolerate any baseless and malicious slander," the representative declared. "We earnestly request that everyone provides her with the necessary time and space to recover and await her return."

Footage of Zhao being wheeled into a hospital circulated widely last month. Her team announced on Dec. 27 that following medical advice, she had been dealing with health issues prior to her hospitalization and decided to halt all work-related activities to focus on her recovery.

Friends of Zhao shared on social media that she has been adhering strictly to her treatment plan since her hospitalization, revealing that she has struggled with aphasia. Additionally, an entertainment blogger disclosed that despite facing multiple challenges and pressures during the ongoing shooting of her film "Almost Lover," Zhao continued to work until a collapse necessitated emergency medical care, which has angered her fans.

Another friend of the actress disclosed on social media an episode from 2019. According to the post, Zhao was forcefully taken into a bathroom by someone who berated her for not securing a film role, criticizing her weight, skills, and appearance, and unfavorably comparing her to other actresses. The confrontation turned physically violent.

Zhao, 27, began her acting career in 2017 and has gained fame through roles in popular drama series such as "The Romance of Tiger and Rose," "Dating in the Kitchen," "Love Better Than Immortality," "Love Like the Galaxy," and "Hidden Love."