Zhao recently shared a series of images revealing a fuller face and a radiant appearance following a prolonged struggle with depression.
The photos quickly gained traction on Weibo with over 50 million reads and 15,000 comments, sparking widespread discussion about her rosy, fuller cheeks and causing the phrase “Zhao Lusi’s apple cheeks” to trend.
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Chinese actress Zhao Lusi. Photo courtesy of Zhao’s Weibo |
While many Weibo users praised her look, calling her a “real-life princess” and expressing hopes for her full recovery, others questioned the naturalness of her features.
“I don’t believe this face has never undergone plastic surgery,” one user commented. Another wrote, “Whether she had cosmetic procedures or not, she looks like AI. I can’t tell if it’s makeup or excessive photo editing, but her natural beauty seems to be fading.”
Speculation also arose that Zhao’s trending appearance was a publicity move by her management team. Since drawing attention in December for being rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, her team has been criticized for frequently releasing images of her in a fragile state, allegedly to keep her name in the spotlight.
Previously, photos of Zhao climbing steep slopes in Tibet without a wheelchair or crutches sparked skepticism over the severity of her reported health issues.
In late January, she shared images of herself using a wheelchair and crutches, but some observers pointed out that she was still wearing high heels, leading to mixed reactions.
While some questioned the inconsistency, others defended her choice.In December, a viral video showed Zhao being wheeled into a hospital.
Her team later stated that she had been struggling with health issues and had suspended all work commitments to focus on recovery.
Zhao, 28, later revealed that she had battled depression for years but initially dismissed it, believing she was merely weak. She made her first public appearance since her hospitalization in late January at an event in Chengdu, China.
Rising to fame in 2017, Zhao has starred in popular dramas such as “The Romance of Tiger and Rose,” “Dating in the Kitchen,” “Love Better Than Immortality,” “Love Like the Galaxy,” and “Hidden Love.”
