The ongoing conflict between Zhao Lusi and the head of his former management company is currently the focal point of Chinese entertainment news. The 1998-born actress accused her former boss of physically assaulting, humiliating and extorting her to the point of emotional exhaustion and depression. The person specifically named for his cruel treatment of Zhao Lusi is Xu Yiruo. Since the morning of January 2, information about Xu Yiruo, who was held responsible for Zhao Lusi’s suffering, has been circulating widely online.
Xu Yiruo managed Zhao Lusi during his early years before fame. By 2020, Zhao announced his move to Galaxy Cool Entertainment, ending his collaboration with Xu under unclear circumstances. According to Sohu, Xu Yiruo is one of the most enigmatic figures in Chinese entertainment. Born in 1984 in Hunan, China, she was once known by other names such as Xu Junyan. Reports indicate that he comes from a military family with considerable wealth. Xu graduated from the Shanghai Theater Academy, sharing classes with notable names such as Lei Jiayin, Sun Yizhou, actress Li Nian and Du Ruoxi. She once worked as an actress in the theater of China’s General Political Department, a state-affiliated organization that requires significant credentials to join. Xu’s acceptance into this institution shortly after graduation highlights his privileged background.
In 2004, Xu moved into television dramas, landing leading roles almost immediately. He starred in projects such as “The Palace: The Lock Heart Jade” (as Yun Gege) and “Single Princesses and Blind Dates”. As she pursued an acting career, she became a close ally of “golden screenwriter” Yu Zheng, the head of Huanyu Film, known for managing stars such as Bai Lu, Wu Jinyan and Xu Kai.
In 2013, Xu suddenly disappeared from the screen for unknown reasons. She later became Zhao Lusi’s manager. In 2020, she briefly returned to acting with a minor role in the drama “Special Case Hunt”, only to retreat from the public eye again. In recent years, Xu has focused on cultivating emerging talent in the entertainment industry, managing top stars such as Zhang Linghe, Lu Yuxiao and Li Yitong. His connections and influence in Chinese entertainment are widely recognized, as evidenced by his success in bringing Zhang Linghe to A-list status and making Lu Yuxiao an outstanding Gen Z actress.
On social media, many were shocked to learn of Xu Yiruo’s impressive background. Netizens commented that given Xu’s power and influence in the industry, Zhao Lusi, then an unknown actress in 2019, had little chance of standing up to her. Speaking out against Xu at that time would have been like professional suicide. It reportedly took Zhao five years to find the courage to talk about the harrowing experiences he went through. Xu Yiruo denied the allegations of abuse and extortion. Despite her denial, public criticism remains aimed at the former actress-turned-manager.
