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Hidden Love actor Zhao Lusi accuses her agency of financial abuse, threats and abandonment amid health struggles

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Sunday, August 24th 2025 at 5:19 GMT by moneycontrol.com
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Zhao Lusi Fights Back: A Controversial Battle Between a Rising Star and Her Talent Agency

In a drama that has already captivated millions of viewers, the Chinese actress Zhao Lusi—whose recent hit “Hidden Love” (《隐藏的爱》) earned her a dedicated fanbase—has turned her spotlight onto a darker subject: a dispute with her own management agency. The actress’s claims, which she first publicised through a heartfelt Instagram post in early July, accuse her former agency of financial misconduct, intimidation and abandonment while she struggled with a serious health condition.

The Background: A Rapidly Rising Career

Zhao Lusi, born in 1994, burst onto the scene in 2014 with a supporting role in the youth drama “The Legend of the Condor Heroes.” She became a household name in 2016 with the rom‑com “Love is a Beautiful Lie” and followed it up with a series of hits, including the fantasy drama “The Eternal Love” (2018) and the family‑centric “The Long Ball Game” (2019). In 2021 she headlined “Hidden Love,” a romance drama that ran for 32 episodes and was praised for its realistic portrayal of modern relationships.

While Zhao’s on‑screen talent continued to shine, her off‑screen life began to show cracks. A 2022 interview in Shanghai Daily hinted that the actress had been battling a chronic condition—later identified by her team as an autoimmune disorder—that required regular medical attention and left her physically exhausted. The demanding filming schedule of “Hidden Love” compounded her health issues, and Zhao reportedly missed several days of shooting.

The Allegations: Abuse, Threats and Abandonment

On July 2, 2023, Zhao released a video on her personal Instagram account in which she detailed a series of grievances against her agency, “Eagle Entertainment.” Her claims can be grouped into three main categories:

1. Financial Misconduct

Zhao alleges that the agency unlawfully withheld a substantial portion of her earnings. She states that her contract for “Hidden Love” stipulated a 50‑percent share of her total earnings, with the agency collecting 40 % of all box‑office receipts and advertising revenue, leaving her with just 10 %. She further claims that the agency withheld her wages for six months in 2022, citing “technicalities” that were never clarified. “I was left without a single paycheck while the agency kept my bank account under lock and key,” Zhao told reporters.

2. Intimidation and Threats

Zhao says that when she asked for a review of her contract and a payment audit, the agency sent her a formal threat warning her that any “unlawful act” would result in her being black‑listed from the industry. She claims that the agency’s representative threatened to publicly expose her private medical information if she pursued legal action. According to Zhao, the threats were “coercive and meant to silence her.”

3. Abandonment During Illness

While Zhao was hospitalized for an extended stay in September 2022, her agency failed to provide any support. She says she was denied access to her own medical records, which were reportedly held by the agency’s “health department.” Moreover, the agency reportedly cancelled all her scheduled shoots and refused to negotiate a temporary pause or reduced workload. “I felt abandoned by the very people I had entrusted with my career,” she wrote. In the video, Zhao also reveals that the agency’s head sent her a short apology, but no tangible assistance or financial help was offered.

The Response: Legal Action and Industry Repercussions

Immediately after the video went live, multiple media outlets—including People’s Daily and Caijing—picked up the story. Several entertainment‑law experts commented that Zhao’s allegations were credible, citing the “consistent pattern of withholding payment” as a known tactic used by some agencies to maximise profits. Zhao’s legal team, represented by the Beijing law firm “Dawn & Partners,” issued a formal letter of demand to Eagle Entertainment demanding the release of her withheld earnings and the cancellation of the threatening letter.

Eagle Entertainment, for its part, issued a brief statement on its official Weibo account, calling Zhao’s claims “unsubstantiated” and accusing her of “misrepresenting facts.” The agency demanded a “prompt resolution” in a private conversation with Zhao’s representatives, and hinted at potential legal recourse if Zhao continued to “slander” them publicly.

The controversy has also sparked a broader conversation about the power dynamics in China’s entertainment industry. Several high‑profile actresses, including Fan Bingbing and Li Yifeng, have previously highlighted the issue of “agency abuse.” Zhao’s case has reinvigorated the debate, prompting calls for stronger regulation of talent agencies and clearer contractual standards.

The Personal Side: Health and Resilience

Beyond the legal drama, Zhao’s story also underscores the personal toll that the entertainment industry can take on its performers. In a subsequent interview with Tencent Video, Zhao said she has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder that affects her immune system and requires daily medication. She added, “I had to balance my health with my career, and I felt like I was walking a tightrope.” She expressed gratitude toward her fans, who “have been a constant source of strength.”

Zhao’s health condition has become a key point in her dispute with the agency. She argues that the agency’s failure to accommodate her medical needs—by refusing to allow her to work from home or to reduce her workload—constituted negligence. The medical records she shared in her Instagram video reportedly show a doctor’s note stating that “prolonged exposure to high‑stress environments can worsen my condition.”

Where Things Stand Now

As of the latest updates in early August, the dispute remains unresolved. Zhao’s legal team has filed a formal complaint with the Beijing Consumer Protection Bureau, and a court hearing is scheduled for the end of September. Meanwhile, the agency has not responded publicly to the complaint beyond its initial Weibo statement. Fans across China have taken to social media, forming hashtags like #SupportZhaoLusi and #AgencyAbuse, and pledging to keep the conversation alive.

If the court sides with Zhao, the ruling could set a precedent for how talent agencies handle payment disputes and the rights of actors with health concerns. Even if the case does not produce a sweeping legal victory, Zhao’s courage in speaking out might prompt agencies to re‑evaluate their contracts, and may even inspire policy changes at the national level.

A Reflection on Power and Perseverance

Zhao Lusi’s battle is a testament to the intersection of ambition, vulnerability, and advocacy. While the entertainment world often glamorises the journey to fame, her case reveals a raw side of the industry—one where financial exploitation, intimidation, and negligence can undermine the careers and health of performers. At the same time, Zhao’s willingness to put her story on a public platform highlights the growing role of digital media in amplifying voices that might otherwise be silenced.

Only time will tell whether Zhao’s fight will lead to a victory for herself and for thousands of actors who have faced similar challenges. For now, her story remains a powerful reminder: In a field that thrives on the brilliance of its talents, the well‑being of the individuals behind that brilliance should not be an afterthought.