Chinese actress Zhao Lusi has publicly accused her agency, Galaxy Cool Entertainment, of wage theft, unauthorised financial activity, and threats.
In a series of detailed posts on Weibo, Zhao claimed the agency withdrew 2.05 million yuan (approximately RM1.2 million) from her personal studio account without consent.
The 26-year-old actress, known for popular dramas such as Hidden Love and Love Like The Galaxy, said the agency left her to bear financial responsibilities for cancelled endorsements while she sought treatment for depression and other health issues in 2024.
Zhao described a severe decline in her physical and mental health, revealing that she once dropped to 36kg and lost her ability to speak. Reports and photos of her in a wheelchair circulated in late 2024, with Zhao citing episodes of nausea, dizziness, and joint pain due to overwork.
She further alleged that attempts to terminate her contract were met with resistance and that she was warned not to speak publicly, being threatened with blacklisting if she pursued legal action. “You don’t need to blacklist me, I quit,” she wrote, urging others in similar situations to contact authorities.
Galaxy Cool Entertainment responded via Weibo, denying any wrongdoing and claiming it had prioritised Zhao’s well-being. The agency also cautioned against the actress posting what it called “ambiguous” statements online.
Zhao reposted the statement, directly refuting it and accusing the agency of abandoning her during her illness.
The dispute has sparked public concern and renewed scrutiny of artist-agency contracts in the Chinese entertainment industry.
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