Zhao Lusi Rides a Popularity Wave While Critics Push Back

Zhao Lusi is having a moment. On August 19, she topped the WeChat index with more than 420 million searches. On Douyin, her search index passed 11 million. And all this happened without her showing up at any big events.

Her fanbase is growing fast too. She gained over 8,400 new followers on August 20, bringing her close to 6.2 million. Supporters point to her “real” personality as the reason people stick around.

Not everyone is cheering though. Zhao has faced criticism about whether she supports other women. Fans quickly pushed back, calling her a true “girl’s girl.” They pointed to her donations to the Chengdu Women and Children’s Foundation, her outreach to abuse survivor Xiao Xie, and even her support for drag performer Ali Beibei.

The actress also made headlines when she deleted her Weibo account with 30 million followers, calling the platform a “toilet seat.” That move divided opinions, but many praised her for standing her ground. Meanwhile, state media highlighted her for boosting farmer sales through product recommendations.

Outside the drama, Zhao is busy with projects. Her drama The Red Pearl Poem just aired new episodes, and fans loved the emotional scenes with co-star Liu Yuning. At the same time, her ROSYDOEDIAN food truck is pulling crowds at the Shanghai Asia Pet Expo, running until August 24. Merchandise like Zhao Lusi ceramic cups and flower bouquets are also trending among fans.

For now, Zhao Lusi’s numbers keep climbing, and her fans remain loud in her defense. Whether people love her or doubt her, one thing is clear: she continues to be one of the most talked-about stars this summer.