Zhao Lusi Sparks Outrage After TV Appearance Criticizing Parents and Life Struggles Netizens Call for Her Exit from Showbiz
Actress Zhao Lusi has ignited a major backlash across Chinese social media after her recent appearance on the reality show “Little Courage” aired on the evening of March 27. Her controversial remarks about her health, struggles growing up, and lack of parental support have led to over 130 million reactions on Weibo, with many netizens demanding she leave the entertainment industry immediately.
“When will Zhao Lusi finally stop?”
That’s the question flooding social media in China.
Despite branding “Little Courage” as a program meant to uplift and inspire, Zhao Lusi repeatedly lamented her health struggles and complained about the burdens of fame, often in front of children and impoverished villagers in Gansu Province, many of whom are enduring far greater hardships.
In one segment, a cheerful child shared a heartfelt memory about crying during his first commercial shoot with his mother. Instead of offering encouragement, Zhao pivoted the moment to talk about her own pain, saying she felt unseen by her parents and had no one to call when she was sick.
However, this narrative stood in stark contrast to her past TV appearances, where she proudly described herself as a “princess” adored by her parents, even revealing that they had prepared penalty money in case she wanted to quit the entertainment industry.
Previously, Zhao Lusi also faced backlash for her remarks on “Little Courage”. When a young girl told her, “You don’t value your own life,” Zhao openly agreed, replying, “That’s right. Exactly.” The moment quickly trended across Chinese social media, with netizens slamming her for seemingly glorifying burnout and toxic work culture. Critics argued that if fame feels unbearable, stepping away quietly would be more responsible than publicly endorsing such self-destructive mindsets.
Insensitive Remarks and Contradictions
One of the most criticized moments came when Zhao, in a conversation with two elderly individuals, said, “Before I got sick, I thought crutches and walking sticks were symbols of power. I used to wonder why people used them. After I got sick, I finally understood their true meaning…”
The remark was seen as shallow and ignorant, prompting widespread backlash across Chinese social media. According to Sohu, Zhao’s attempt to market her illness through the show, using it as a central theme, was “the last straw” for many viewers. She is now being dubbed the first celebrity in Chinese entertainment to produce a reality show centered on her own medical condition. The public, however, found her approach to be emotionally detached and inappropriate, especially as she invoked her parents and strangers alike to dramatize her narrative.
Calls for a Permanent Exit from the Industry
Anger toward Zhao Lusi has reached a boiling point, with many netizens asking, “When will she stop?” Others have gone so far as to search for ways to block her content online, expressing exhaustion with her frequent presence on social media.
According to QQ, the actress is rapidly losing public affection and may be facing irreversible damage to her image. As of now, Zhao Lusi has yet to respond to the wave of criticism.
Whether she can recover from this PR disaster remains uncertain, but for many Chinese viewers, the damage may already be done.