Whereas I don’t usually cowl Chinese language leisure information, largely as a consequence of my unfamiliarity with the scene, one story has sadly just lately made waves on social media just lately. Actress Zhao Lusi‘s administration just lately introduced that she would take a hiatus as a consequence of well being points, which solely appeared to occur after disturbing video of her emerged in a wheelchair and seemingly being unable to perform.
That was regarding sufficient, however quickly after an alleged pal got here ahead and revealed (with Zhao Lusi’s permission) that the foundation trigger was the abuse she suffered on the hand of her company for years.
“In April 2019, throughout a break in her schedule, Lusi was in Beijing auditioning for roles. On the time, she didn’t have a spot to remain, so she stayed at my home. In the course of the day, we had been each busy with our personal work and solely sometimes ate and talked collectively. However one night time, I got here residence, turned on the sunshine, and located her curled up in the lounge at nighttime. I requested her what was unsuitable, and he or she mentioned, ‘I don’t know why they hit me. I’m actually scared.’ I used to be shocked. ‘Why? There must be a motive, proper?’ She advised me about somebody who had dragged her into the lavatory and berated her for 2 hours, saying issues like how ineffective she was, why she couldn’t land a task, and the way she ought to mirror on why she hadn’t been solid as a lead actress earlier than. They criticized her weight and mentioned she wasn’t nearly as good as others, simply continuously placing her down. This went on till 2 AM. Lastly, as a result of Lusi stayed silent, that individual slammed the door and left. Lusi, feeling aggrieved, grabbed her bag and opened the door to go away. It was drizzling exterior. and the individual chased after her, seemingly attempting to seize her. We’re undecided whether or not they supposed to slap her or pull her hair and missed, however both means, she was hit. She was terrified. Over time, we’ve talked about this incident many instances, and I’ve at all times felt responsible for not realizing how a lot it had been weighing on her. Each she and I assumed that brazenly discussing what occurred meant she had moved on. Lusi has been doing higher and higher, so we assumed she wasn’t dwelling on it anymore. Nonetheless, once I discovered that she nonetheless wakes up in terror from nightmares about it, I noticed that this situation was removed from resolved. “
They go on to say how a lot it weighed on the actress, together with recurring night time terrors. On the time they thought of going to the police, however nervous that they wouldn’t have proof so justice wouldn’t be served and they’d solely burn bridges and face potential monetary penalties. The company brushed it apart with an excuse that the individual was drunk, however that they’d already contacted her mom to complain that she was disobedient.
Then in the present day, Zhao Lusi herself spoke up, beginning by speaking about psychological well being, normally.
My profession has introduced me extra assist and assist than I might have imagined. I’m really grateful and really feel lucky. This has helped me perceive all of the misunderstandings. I assist anybody’s proper to decide on their desired profession at any time since you at all times have the proper to flee conditions that convey struggling and exhaustion. You possibly can cease anytime—you’re free, and you’ll be courageous. I additionally perceive that everybody has confronted grievances and injustices. I’ve heard far too many horrifying tales. When there isn’t a assist, and the abuser continues to escalate, no matter career, age, or gender, it’s unsuitable. Forcing somebody to reopen their wounds to show “it’s not overthinking,” “it’s not weak resilience,” or “it’s not dissatisfaction” is absurd. Nobody however a health care provider has the proper to find out the severity of somebody’s trauma or whether or not it qualifies as an sickness.
She then described the development of her sickness since 2019.
In 2019, I skilled despair. Folks advised me, “Don’t overthink it” or “In the event you assume positively, every thing will probably be positive.” I additionally thought I used to be being dramatic and delicate and didn’t take my psychological well being severely. In 2021, I felt like bugs had been crawling on me, like needles had been pricking me, accompanied by allergy symptoms. After seeing medical doctors, getting medicines, and receiving injections, the signs didn’t enhance. I sought out a psychologist to assist ease my anxiousness. In 2023, I skilled pneumonia, emphysema, pityriasis rosea, urticaria, night time sweats, neurogenic listening to loss, and the lack of family members and most cancers diagnoses amongst relations. All these occasions occurred in a brief interval, overshadowing my feelings, and I continued to neglect my well being. In 2024, frequent retching, dizziness, joint ache, neck ache, and different apparent bodily signs appeared, together with worsening allergy symptoms. I assumed these had been regular unwanted effects of allergy-targeted remedy.
She additionally confirmed the abuse she had suffered, each as a baby after which later as an grownup.
Once I was a baby, individuals referred to as me a ineffective “fairly face.” Throughout extracurricular tutoring, I used to be crushed within the trainer’s dormitory. On the time, I assumed it was proper to be punished as a result of I wasn’t good at learning. I didn’t dare communicate out as a result of I used to be taught to “at all times discover the issue inside your self.” Once I grew up, I used to be crushed once more for not securing an appearing function. I assumed it was my fault, so I didn’t dare make a fuss—I simply needed to flee. I used to be used to dealing with my issues alone and didn’t have the behavior of searching for assist. Later, when my work was acknowledged, I gained the braveness to say goodbye to those that damage me. Ultimately, the individual demanded an enormous “breakup payment” earlier than they had been keen to cease their manipulative conduct. Numerous defamation makes an attempt inside and out of doors the trade adopted, with individuals coming to me after gossiping about me. Every time, the ache solely deepened. The hurt has by no means stopped.
All of that and her present state of affairs is apparent tragic, however she ends it on a optimistic and hopeful observe going ahead.
To these of you who can relate to me: in such circumstances, whether or not you’re really “understood” not issues. What issues is breaking free from the infinite cycle of proving your self and discovering a strategy to save your self. Understanding psychological well being and prioritizing psychological therapy is really necessary. Remorse is a ineffective emotion. Deal with this as a “particular time” to overturn internal conflicts and rebuild your self. I’m grateful to everybody who cares. Due to love, I get to reside once more.
Whereas there are classes about how corporations/companies unsurprisingly abuse the leverage they wield over abilities regardless of the place they’re positioned, largely I like Zhao Lusi’s messages to others about psychological well being regardless of how personal state and I’m glad she at the least appears to be optimistic for herself going ahead. I gained’t maintain my breath about any penalties for individuals who did this to her, for the explanations already outlined, however that may be good for as soon as.