Zhao Lusi Crowned as Top Star 1 on XiaoHongShu for 3 Consecutive Months, What’s the Secret?

Kapanlagi.com - In the highly competitive Chinese social media landscape, Zhao Lusi has captured public attention through her remarkable achievements on the XiaoHongShu platform. For three consecutive months, from July to September 2025, Zhao Lusi became the most talked-about and viewed celebrity figure on XHS, thus being crowned as Top Star 1 on XiaoHongShu for that period.

This information emerged in a public post showing the hashtag “Most Viewed Celebrity Topics on Xiaohongshu” in September, which placed Zhao Lusi at the top rank.

Furthermore, Zhao Lusi is now honored as the user with the most followers on the platform, even said to surpass the number of followers of the platform's official account itself.

Several reports state that her followers on XHS have exceeded 20 million users, making her the most dominant individual user on the lifestyle and “note sharing” content platform.

1. Key Factors for Success

A achievement as significant as this certainly does not appear suddenly without a combination of strategic factors. Here are some important elements that play a role:

1. Personal Narrative and Transparency

Zhao Lusi not only showcases the glamorous side of celebrity but also opens up her personal story through livestreams, revealing conflicts with management and allegations of unfair treatment in her work contracts. This transparent approach ignites greater interaction with an audience that craves emotional closeness, rather than just the impression of an artist who is “far from reality.”

2. Adjustment of Content Style & Lifestyle Branding

The XHS platform is very popular among the younger generation and women interested in beauty content, lifestyle, fashion, skincare, product reviews, and daily recommendations. Zhao Lusi carefully tailors her content to be relevant to the trend of “note sharing” (diary notes) that is authentic, rather than just paid promotions. This style tends to garner strong engagement.

3. Momentum Media & Virality

Conflict with management and Zhao Lusi's open actions have become public discussion, prompting many entertainment media and news platforms to cover her story. When issues related to a celebrity's personal life go viral, it often results in a surge of public attention and curiosity — a momentum that can significantly boost her follower count on XHS. Industry reports indicate that this controversy has contributed to a surge in Zhao Lusi's followers to over 21 million.

4. Multiplatform Existence & Consistency

Zhao Lusi's strength comes not just from one platform. She is also active on Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) and various other social media. It is evident that her Douyin account has surpassed 50 million followers, making her the first female actress to reach that milestone. Her presence and consistency across multiple channels strengthen her brand persona and encourage cross-platform interaction.

5. The Success of the Drama Love’s Ambition

One of the main drivers of Zhao Lusi's rising popularity in mid-2025 is her latest drama, Love’s Ambition. This modern romantic genre series features Zhao Lusi as a smart, independent, and highly ambitious female character—a role considered the most mature in her career.

Since the release of posters, teasers, and the early episodes, Love’s Ambition has become a major topic of conversation across various platforms. Fan enthusiasm has led hashtags about this drama to trend multiple times on Weibo and XHS. Many XiaoHongShu users have shared fashion reviews, hairstyle tips, and quotes from the character played by Zhao Lusi, significantly increasing interaction and traffic to her personal account. The success of this drama has become an important catalyst in strengthening her image as a top actress and one of the most influential influencers on XHS.

2. Impact and Implications for the Industry

The phenomenon of Zhao Lusi highlights several important trends in the world of social media and influencer marketing in China:

Influencers as “conflict figures”

While celebrities typically maintain a flawless image, some now choose to be open about personal conflicts, making it part of a narrative that captures public attention.

The Value of Authenticity

Audiences increasingly prefer content that feels real and relatable, rather than just glamorous appearances. The “daily diary” style that characterizes XHS has proven to resonate greatly.

Platforms as Strategy

XHS, which combines social media and e-commerce, is an ideal place for celebrities to build engagement while also creating monetization opportunities.

Brand Reputation Risks

When an influencer faces controversy, the brands that collaborate with them can also be affected. The case of Zhao Lusi serves as an example of how the relationship between celebrities and brands must be managed carefully.

(kpl/chn)