The Chinese actress Zhao Lusi was recently at the center of a huge dispute, after being accused of having created a government seal and mistakenly calling herself a “ambassador to support farmers”. The accusations spread as a fire, with almost 200 million netizen that discuss the question on social media.
However, after a day of chaos online, the authorities confirmed that the seal was authentic, erasing zhao lusi of any offense. The Netizen quickly discovered the signs that the scandal was not organic but rather an deliberated intensified campaign. The suspicion fell into the media connected to Esther Yu-the rival in the long broken sector of Zhao Lusi.
On August 13, an autoproclato agricultural expert published statements that Zhao Lusi exaggerated the agricultural difficulties in Shaanxi and has hinted that the official seal could be false. Only 18 minutes later, a medium company called Qianjiang Video has published a video accusing Zhao Lusi of forgeting the seal, framing his live streaming words to look misleading.
That same company has links with Yuehua Entertainment, Esther Yu management agency, and has a history of publication of negative coverage of Zhao Lusi while promoting Esther Yu strongly, also for its less successful projects.
Zhao Lusi tried to clarify that the title of “ambassador” was given to his company, not to himself personally. But the wave of online hatred has intensified so quickly that Zhao Lusi eventually canceled his Weibo account permanently on August 13th.
Fans believe that this was exactly what his rivals meant: silence his voice and damage his reputation.
Despite the attacks, the traditional Chinese media subsequently defended Zhao Lusi, praising his efforts in promoting apples from the province of Shaanxi, whom the farmers confirmed had suffered damage from hail and poor sales.
The grateful farmers publicly thanked Zhao Lusi for helping to improve their revenue and many Netizen began to question the reasons behind the.
While Zhao Lusi is not entirely free from risk, especially with current disputes involving his management – the scandal can end up strengthening his public image. Now it is seen both as a victim of the sabotage of the sector and of a celebrity that truly uses its platform to support farmers.
His rivalry with Esther Yu, however, seems destined to intensify.
Sources: Kenh14
