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| “Not Worth the Risk”: Actress Zhu Rui Opens Up About Semi-Retirement |
Chinese actress Zhu Rui has finally broken her silence on why she’s slowly taken a step back from the entertainment scene—and let’s just say, it’s got less to do with scripts and more with stalkers, stress, and some very real struggles behind the camera.
Zhu Rui poured her heart out in a long and honest social media post, explaining her reasons for semi-retiring from acting. She didn’t hold back, getting real about the frustrations of the industry and the scary personal experiences that pushed her towards a quieter life.
Stalked Since 2016?!
One of the biggest shocks? Zhu Rui revealed that she was harassed by a stalker for years—since 2016, to be exact. The situation escalated dangerously in 2023–2024, when the stalker managed to track down both her home address and even where her mum lives.
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She reported the issue to the police, who confirmed the stalker had been following her online and offline activities for nearly a decade. As a result, authorities strongly advised her to stop sharing anything too personal online—especially things like where she lives or her daily life. That was the first time Zhu Rui seriously thought: Is this worth it?
Typecast, Underpaid, and Overlooked
Beyond the safety scare, Zhu Rui also shared her growing disillusionment with the industry itself. She said roles for women her age are few and far between, and even when they do exist, they’re often handed to stars with big fanbases, top-tier agencies, or trending stats on social media. Zhu Rui—who isn’t signed with a major agency and doesn’t have explosive online numbers—found herself increasingly shut out of opportunities.
And when she did get offers, they were often small cameo roles, which she doesn’t enjoy. “They barely give you the full script,” she said. “You’re just handed a couple of scenes, the pay’s low, and the time commitment is all over the place. You could be waiting around for weeks just to film one or two days. It's draining.”
She admitted she’s started turning those roles down, even recently rejecting a four-scene part. “Unless it’s a role I really believe in, I’d rather pass.”
“You Were Perfect… But We’re Going with Someone Else”
ZhuRui also spoke about the emotional toll of auditions. One moment in particular left a deep mark—she nailed an audition in front of a full creative team, including the director, writer, and casting head. The screenwriter even stood up and told her she was exactly the person they had written the role for.
But in the end, she didn’t get the part.
Later, a friend auditioning for the same project told Zhu Rui that the team had actually shown her audition tape around as the standard to beat—but still cast someone else. “That crushed me,” Zhu Rui admitted. “It felt like, no matter how well I did, I just wasn’t meant to ‘make it’.”
What She’s Doing Now
These days, Zhu Rui’s traded red carpets for rescue cats. She’s taking care of her unwell mother, writing novels at home, and finding peace in a more grounded, private life. “I’m honestly quite content,” she shared. “I stay in, write, save stray cats. My life’s simple but happy.”
Despite pulling back from the spotlight, fans still shower her with praise for her most recent acting work in the drama Lijian Meigui, proving her performances are still unforgettable even if she’s not constantly in front of the camera.
In the end, Zhu Rui thanked everyone who’s supported her throughout her career—from loyal drama-watchers to police officers working to keep women safe. “Thank you to all the mums, to the fans, to the officers fighting human trafficking. Thank you for making me feel seen.”