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Fran Lu

A Chinese actress says that her agency locked her in a hotel room and performed an exorcism on her to treat her depression.
The shocking allegation has sparked a heated online discussion about possible abuse and mental health-related stigma in China.
Zhao Lusi, who is also known as Rosy Zhao, has been dubbed one of China’s “top flowers born after 1995”.
The 26-year-old debuted in the variety show Mars Intelligence Agency in 2016 and became a household name for appearing in television series like The Romance of Tiger and Rose and Hidden Love.

She reportedly fell ill due to depression last December and had to cancel and suspend ongoing work.
On August 2, Zhao revealed on her social media account, which has 31 million followers, that her agency made her pay the penalty for breach of contract, despite them promising to take responsibility.
She had already been forced to pay two million yuan (US$280,000).
Zhao said she has faced constant verbal and physical abuse from her company.
Earlier this year, a friend of hers claimed that Zhao was reprimanded for hours in a bathroom at 2am by her boss in 2019 because she failed an audition.

The company, Tianjin Galaxy Cool Entertainment Culture Media Co. Ltd, has denied the accusation.
Zhao had returned to work within three months with a reality show tailored for her.
The show, Be Myself, featured Zhao visiting the impoverished countryside and “getting close to” the locals.
In the show, Zhao tells villagers she did not feel well due to work pressure and depression and slept only two hours a day. She also called a girl who climbed a cliff to pick Matsutake mushrooms “cool”.
She was criticised by some as frivolous and condescending, disregarding the plight of the villagers.
Zhao blamed her company for designing the show for her and telling people that she was faking her illness.
She also posted her diagnoses from the hospital, showing that she had severe anxiety and depression.
In the following live-streaming sessions, Zhao also revealed that her company did not take her to hospital after she developed physical symptoms due to her mental illness.
Instead, they locked her in her hotel room and asked a shaman to perform an exorcism on her.
The shaman also said an evil spell had been cast on her.

Many people online say they believe Zhao’s story.
“Chinese show business is famously superstitious. A common example is films and television dramas choosing auspicious days to start shooting,” one said.
Zhao said she was stupid to have renewed a four-year contract with the company earlier this year.
She said she wanted to quit show business and open a noodle shop.
On August 3, Zhao’s company said that they had always supported Zhao, a claim which the actress has refuted.
The company did not respond to the controversy regarding the penalty.
Online observers supported Zhao.
“If she stays there longer, she might die,” one person warned.
It has been reported that because of her talent, Zhao generates 80 per cent of the company’s income.


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TV star Zhao Lusi says company locked her in room with a shaman who told her an evil spirit possessed her


TV star Zhao Lusi says company locked her in room with a shaman who told her an evil spirit possessed her.


Mental health

How to deal with anxiety and depression

Chinese actress Zhao Lusi claims talent agency forced exorcism to treat her depression

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}TV star Zhao Lusi says company locked her in room with a shaman who told her an evil spirit possessed her

TV star Zhao Lusi says company locked her in room with a shaman who told her an evil spirit possessed her