Why is "Weibo Do Better" trending on X? All we know as fans call out the platform for exploiting Zhao Lusi's mental health journey for clicks

On January 27, 2025, fans of Chinese actress Zhao Lusi took to social media to express their outrage over how her mental health struggles were being mishandled by Weibo. Known as one of China’s largest microblogging platforms, Weibo has often been a space for public discourse, but fans argue it has devolved into a hub for gossip and exploitation.

This time, the platform is accused of turning Zhao Lusi’s recovery vlog—a personal and uplifting account of her mental health journey—into a source of sensationalized hot searches. The platform’s reported paid hot search system, which allows users to pay for topics to trend, has also come under fire, with critics claiming it prioritizes profit over ethical considerations.

Zhao Lusi’s fans argue that instead of fostering a constructive dialogue about mental health, Weibo has enabled toxicity and invasive commentary.

Fans alleged that Weibo excessively dissected her vlog, creating unwarranted narratives that sensationalized her experiences and detracted from the important message she was trying to convey. An X user, @wonwoncity, wrote,

"how could an inspiring and positive recovery vlog like this be overanalysed FRAME BY FRAME to generate an ABNORMAL EXCESSIVE NUMBER of hot searches in the pursuit of traffic, sina weibo is pushing out , stirring up strange narratives and attempting to turn mental health issue into entertainment SAFE SPACE FOR ROSY #WeiboDoBetter."

Reactions from fans have been swift and critical, with many accusing the platform of exploiting Zhao Lusi’s struggles with traffic. They have called out Weibo for failing to regulate harmful content and allowing cyberbullying to flourish.

"SINA & WEIBO CORPORATION! Are you seriously allowing NEGATIVITY SPEECH in your platform? Good for your business?," an X user wrote.

"When a platform holds so much power to mold public sentiment it is only right to also hold it accountable to the negativity and toxicity that it fosters.Not just stars, but even normal citizens can fall prey to bullying without proper implementation of guidelines," a fan mentioned.

"DO SOMETHING AND BANNED THOSE NASTY PEOPLE FROM EXPLOITING OTHERS," another person commented.

"Weibo has the power to stop the toxic cycle of harassment and speculation targeting Zhao Lusi. If they truly cared, they could easily halt the trend of sensationalizing her struggles. But they don't. Why? Because drama and negativity are what draw eyes and clicks," a fan wrote.

Fans demand accountability, urging the platform to adopt stricter guidelines to protect individuals from such invasive scrutiny.

"It’s a business. $ earned on pain and suffering of others. As long as it generates $$$ why would they need to have moral and social conscious?" an X user added.

"STOP USING #ZhaoLusi AS YOUR SOURCE OF INCOME FXXLING TOXIC WEIBO. P2 is all the hot search they trend for Lusi in past few days. Literally separating and trending every words and actions of Lusi. Pushing her to the center of storm. CAN YOU JUST STOP IT RUBBISH BIN WEIBO?" a fan remarked.

"That entertainment wants to rope in international viewers but at its core is a rotten system," an X user commented.

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All we know about Zhao Lusi’s recent health struggles and more

Zhao Lusi has been open about her mental health challenges, sharing her battle with depression and dissociative disorder in interviews and through social media. She has spoken about the societal stigma surrounding mental health, emphasizing how psychological issues are often overlooked compared to physical ailments.

Her recovery process, which reportedly included several months of treatment, was misrepresented by unethical media outlets and online critics who claimed she had fully recovered within a month.

These distortions led to hurtful speculations and unfounded accusations that she was exploiting her struggles for publicity. Zhao never claimed an overnight recovery, and her willingness to share her experiences was intended to inspire others, not invite scrutiny.

Recently, Zhao Lusi partnered with a beverage company to establish a Youth Mental Health Care Fund, committing 10 million yuan to support mental health initiatives. Despite the positive impact of this endeavor, it was met with skepticism from some netizens who questioned her participation in public events during her recovery.

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The controversy surrounding Zhao Lusi’s experiences has sparked broader discussions about the responsibility of platforms like Weibo. Fans hope that this situation will encourage change, promoting healthier online spaces and respectful dialogue about mental health.