Media Unveils Disturbing Details of Zhao Lusi’s Forced Return Amidst Exhaustion, All for 14.4 Million USD
Zhao Lusi is set to make her return to the entertainment industry on January 25 at a commercial event in her hometown, Chengdu, China. However, her appearance has sparked concern rather than excitement among her fans.
Pressures to Return over Health Concerns
In the announcement video, Zhao Lusi appears frail, with a gaunt face and pale complexion, indicating that she has not yet fully recovered and is still physically weak. Doctors have stated that, given her condition, she requires at least 2-3 months of treatment, monitoring, and rest. Her return to work just one month after falling ill is considered too soon.
According to China Times, Zhao Lusi’s decision to risk her health and return to showbiz at this point suggests she has no other choice and has been forced to fulfill her “commitment.” Despite this being an event marking her return, the scale is not grand, and it is being held privately. Only 100 fans with tickets are allowed to attend, which highlights that the actress is not yet ready to face a large audience. Previously, Zhao Lusi’s commercial events attracted thousands of people and were often held in open spaces like shopping malls.
Commercial Obligations
QQ reports that Zhao Lusi is currently the most sought-after 90s star in the entertainment industry, holding approximately 25 brand contracts. She is required to constantly participate in commercial events, take photos, and film advertisements to fulfill her obligations to her clients. Therefore, the longer Zhao Lusi remains on break, the larger the financial compensation her management company must pay to partners.
Additionally, according to media in China, Zhao Lusi’s attempts to “rebel” and publicly disclose her mistreatment, claiming she was physically abused and exploited, failed to help her terminate her contract with Galaxy Cool Entertainment. In response to public calls to release Zhao Lusi, the company stated, “We ask for space and time for Lusi to recover and await her return.” According to 163, the phrase “wait for her return” was a firm declaration from Galaxy Cool Entertainment that terminating Zhao Lusi’s contract is not an option.
Contractual Constraints and Career Risks
Media outlets have discovered that Zhao Lusi signed a contract with Galaxy Cool Entertainment in September 2016 for a 10-year term. The contract stipulates that if the artist unilaterally terminates the contract or violates the agreement, they must pay ten times the contract amount as compensation. As a result, if Zhao Lusi leaves now, she could face a termination fee of up to 450 million TWD (14.4 million USD). She still has two years remaining on her contract with the company.
On the other hand, if Zhao Lusi chooses not to terminate the contract but instead protests by “striking” and opposing the company, she will also face severe consequences. Galaxy Cool Entertainment could use its connections to freeze the career of the 1998-born actress for the next two years. In an entertainment industry with high competition and constant turnover like China’s, taking a two-year hiatus could lead to Zhao Lusi’s career being cut short. Therefore, the media suggests that, despite not being fully healthy, Zhao Lusi must comply with Galaxy Cool Entertainment’s arrangements and appear before the public.
Zhao Lusi has been battling mental health issues since 2019. The actress has disclosed that she suffers from depression due to childhood trauma from bullying by teachers, abuse from a superior in her agency, extortion from her personal manager, the loss of loved ones, public pressure, and a demanding work schedule. These factors have taken a toll on both her physical and mental health. Despite her years of depression, Zhao Lusi did not dare to publicly acknowledge it for fear of being accused of using a fake illness for publicity. She endured silently until the end of 2024, when she finally “collapsed.”