Chinese actress Zhao Lusi recently accused her ex-manager Xu Yiruo of causing physical abuse, humiliation, and extortions that caused emotional distress and depression every night. The allegations broke new ground in the entertainment industry and have been trending around social media as well.
Zhao, 27, said her disturbing experiences while under Xu's management happened during the early years of her career before her rise to stardom.
Apparently, Zhao did not dare to challenge Xu at that time due to the latter's dominant position in the industry.
In 2020, the actress moved to Galaxy Cool Entertainment after parting ways with Xu under mysterious circumstances.
Xu Yiruo (born in 1984 in Hunan) is one of the most powerful showbiz people in China.
Xu, a Shanghai Theatre Academy graduate and a member of a wealthy family with military ties, had done roles in state-affiliated works before.
She was previously assigned to a number of very successful stars, developed a close working relationship with prominent screenwriter Yu Zheng, and has recently taken Zhao Lusi under her wing.
According to K14, the public sentiment has been fierce, with many online-savvy individuals questioning how Xu could have been so prominent during the early days of Zhao's career. Critics also have questioned how an emerging actress could challenge someone perceived as untouchable.
Zhao herself spent five years before talking about her trauma publicly.
Xu Yiruo has dismissed the accusations, but the scandal is developing, and questions are being asked about power dynamics in the entertainment industry.
The controversy continues to be a focus of the ongoing mental health crisis in showbiz as Zhao emerges from a short hospitalization relating to her own mental health issues.
