On October 8, Sina Entertainment reported that actress Zhao Lusi is currently facing challenges in her career due to ongoing disputes with her management company, Galaxy Cool Entertainment. However, amid the turmoil, she achieved a remarkable milestone: becoming the most followed Chinese actress on Douyin with over 50 million followers, officially surpassing Dilraba Dilmurat, who had held the top position for the past two years.
In addition to Douyin, Zhao Lusi is also ranked first on Xiaohongshu, another major social media platform in China where Dilraba previously served as a brand ambassador. Given that Douyin and Xiaohongshu are currently the most used social platforms in China after Weibo, Zhao’s dominance highlights his unrivaled influence and mass appeal.
An intelligent and relatable approach to fans
According to Sina, Zhao Lusi’s success lies in his intelligent approach to audience engagement. Unlike many celebrities who maintain a distant or mysterious image, Zhao Lusi often shares snippets of her daily life, beauty routine and product recommendations. This transparency and friendliness made her appear more like a close friend than an unattainable star.
On Douyin, Zhao Lusi actively participates in trending challenges, posts light-hearted singing and dancing clips, and often appears on the platform’s “most viewed” list. His theater projects are also heavily integrated with Douyin’s promotions, ensuring his name and image remain visible to millions of users. This strategic use of social media has pushed his fame beyond more established artists such as Liu Yifei, Zhao Liying, Yang Mi and Ju Jingyi.
The rivalry with Dilraba Dilmurat
Zhao Lusi is often described as the “rival” or even “nemesis” of Xinjiang-born beauty Dilraba Dilmurat. The comparisons date back to 2020, when both actresses starred in the historical drama The long ballad. Zhao Lusi played Dilraba Dilmurat’s younger cousin, a role that unexpectedly attracted more affection from the audience due to her gentle and charming appearance.
Critics have pointed out that while Dilraba Dilmurat’s edgy, Western-influenced features give her a modern appeal, they don’t always align with the soft aesthetic of period dramas. As a result, online discussions often favored Zhao Lusi, with some fans stating that “passed” Dilraba Dilmurat in visual chemistry and screen presence.
Furthermore, the secondary couple – Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning – would gain more popularity than the drama’s main couple, Dilraba Dilmurat and Leo Wu, highlighting Zhao Lusi’s ability to connect deeply with viewers.
Audience power and career momentum
The rivalry reignited in June 2023, when both actresses released new series. Dilraba Dilmurat Elite Power of Attorney received lackluster reviews, with many criticizing his performance, while Zhao Lusi’s Hidden love has become one of the most-watched romantic dramas of the year on Chinese streaming platforms.
This contrast has strengthened public opinion that Zhao Lusi is currently more capable of carrying out a project and attracting public attention than his established counterpart.
Despite management controversies, Zhao Lusi’s ability to maintain her appeal and visibility through digital engagement demonstrates a clear understanding of the evolving entertainment landscape, where social media presence can be as powerful as on-screen performance.
As her follower count continues to grow and her works maintain momentum, Zhao Lusi appears poised to solidify her position not only as a leading actress but also as one of China’s most influential cultural icons of the new generation.
Sources: kenh14
