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| Cheng Xiao Gets Real About Bipolar Struggles on Mother and Daughter – Fans Rally Behind Her Bravery |
Former WJSN member turned actress Cheng Xiao (程潇) dropped a massive truth bomb on the latest episode of Chinese variety show Mother and Daughter《是女儿是妈妈》, which aired on 20 July 2025.
For the first time ever, the 26-year-old star spoke openly about her experience with bipolar disorder, sharing the emotional highs and lows she’s silently battled for years – a powerful and raw confession that immediately touched hearts across social media and opened wider conversations around mental health in the entertainment world.
“Even My Mum Didn’t Know…”
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Cheng Xiao revealed that during her darkest periods, she kept everything bottled up – even from her mother. Instead, it was Du Hua, the head of her agency, who stepped in and told her family the truth.
She painted a painfully vivid picture of those lonely moments: crying in the middle of a quiet street, drenched in rain, feeling like there was no one to turn to. At one point, she admitted she’d completely lost herself to the pressure of being the “perfect idol” while silently carrying the weight of emotional turmoil.
“I was just 14 when I moved to Korea for training,” she said. “Then when I came back to China, not only was I building a career, I became the financial backbone of my family after my parents split up without telling me.”
The actress also touched on the relentless pressure from public opinion and netizens’ harsh words, which only made things worse.
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A Quiet Bond of Silence
One of the most emotional parts of her story was her complex relationship with her mum. While Cheng Xiao kept her emotional scars hidden, her mother silently went through breast cancer surgery without saying a word.
“It was like we both tried to protect each other by not talking,” she shared, holding back tears.
Now, she says she’s in a healing phase – and learning how to live again.
Healing, Books, and Olympic Friendships
Since then, Cheng Xiao has embraced recovery head-on. She’s been reading psychology books, keeping fit, and surrounding herself with healthier friendships – including one with Olympic table tennis champion Chen Meng.
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She’s also slowly learning to open up to her family emotionally, saying that speaking honestly has brought her closer to her loved ones.
Her brave confession has earned massive respect online. The hashtag #程潇心理按摩法 ("Cheng Xiao’s Emotional Therapy Method") shot up the trending charts on both X and Weibo, with fans and fellow netizens sharing their own healing journeys in solidarity.
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Mental health professionals have also chimed in, praising Cheng Xiao for helping to normalise conversations around mental health – especially within the high-pressure world of celebrity culture.
“Bipolar disorder isn’t something to be ashamed of,” one psychologist commented. “It’s a medical condition that deserves understanding, not judgement. Cheng Xiao’s openness is a powerful step in fighting stigma.”
ChengXiao opened up about her poor mental state, As for why she chose not to tell her family, Cheng Xiao explained: “When I was sick, I didn’t want others to see me as a patient.
— ChengXiao (@xiaoxiaomiii_) July 20, 2025
The more you talked to me about it, the more it annoyed me I just didn’t like it.”
ChengXiao: But… pic.twitter.com/Rf7uCAbPje