Zhao Lusi's latest variety show halted, C-netz speculate on the reason

In early 2025, top Chinese actress Zhao Lusi quickly dominated trending searches in China due to her coming open about depression, after her sudden deterioration of health. Just three months later, she made a comeback to the screen through Mango TV's variety show Be Myself. However, the show, marketed as a "healing and therapeutic" program, has been put on a halt after airing only three episodes. 

What raised further suspicion was that the fourth episode, originally scheduled for release on April 18, was abruptly pulled by Mango TV. Neither Zhao Lusi's agency nor Mango TV gave any prior explanation for the halt of the show, nor have they offered any response so far, as of writing. So, what really led to the show's stoppage?

A few prominent Weibo influencers suggested that the suspension was due to a "change in broadcasting format," though none cited a credible source, while others speculate that the real reason for the suspension was that the program engaged in "insensitive charity marketing," which allegedly also drew public criticism.

On March 27, the first episode of Be Myself aired, promoted as Zhao Lusi's first charitable trip to a rural mountain region in China since recovering from her illness. The production team claimed she appeared without makeup and without accepting any payment, aiming to present a genuine portrayal of her healing. However, after just three episodes, controversy erupted over Zhao Lusi's remarks during her time in the mountains. 

Originally intended as a heartfelt, unscripted look at how ordinary people can find strength in adversity, netizens have instead criticised the program as Zhao Lusi's "pity party."

On the program, Zhao Lusi openly shares her hardships, from her illness to her family relationships. She talks about experiencing a rapid heartbeat and physical pain due to overwhelming stress, and even mentions being unable to remember lines or work properly because of side effects from medication. While her story does evoke sympathy at first, her constant repetition of these woes ended up feeling rather theatrical for the viewers. Especially when she complained about not working on the second day of Lunar New Year, it hit a nerve with countless working-class viewers.

What also struck viewers as odd is her health condition: she claimed her illness was so serious that she needed a cane to attend events —  as seen during her first public appearance — yet just two months later, she is seen on a variety show, hiking in the mountains on a rural charity visit. 

Her repeated claims of "sleeping only two hours a day" and "working to the point of physical exhaustion" were contradicted by C-netizens' revealing that she had stayed in a multimillion-yuan mansion during her hiatus and resumed work endorsing luxury brands — sharply contrasting with the impoverished villagers' circumstances featured on the show. Viewers criticized her, saying, "The suffering she talks about is the kind of 'illness of the rich' that ordinary people can only dream of."

Netizens also criticized her for some of her remarks, such as when she asked a girl, "Have you ever had a photo shoot?" and the time she told a rural artisan that "not passing on your craft would be selfish" — clips which are now reported the be deleted. These remarks, though, could have been seen as the actress's mere playfulness, were condemned as "condescending views from a privileged urban elite looking down on the impoverished rurals."

Notably, there have been past instances where other celebrity-led charity programs were called out for excessively exploiting the impoverished's hardship for publicity. In this context, Mango TV's decision to halt Be Myself is seen as a strategic move to "hit the brakes to avoid risk." 

While some netizens defended Zhao Lusi, saying, "At least she brought resources — it's better than celebrities who just stage photos," such voices were quickly drowned out.

The halt of Be Myself was not only a stain on Zhao Lusi's public image but also a flashpoint exposing how the new generation of Chinese viewers is becoming increasingly intolerant of "celebrity charity," criticizing it as a sham for publicity. 

When illness becomes a tool for generating clicks, and rural communities are reduced to mere backdrops, it signals a pressing need for a reset of values across the field. After all, true healing should never come from publicity of pain and tears, but from genuine respect for the dignity of every person, be it a celebrity or a common man. 

Nevertheless, despite a rocky comeback, Zhao Lusi is swiftly regaining attention, and it remains to be seen how she will navigate the challenges and pressures yet to come.

Source: Baidu