China celebrities speak out on mental health diagnoses to seek authentic connections with fans
Conversely, sceptics argue that bringing mental illness so deeply into the digital spotlight risks trivialising severe diagnoses
An increasing number of Chinese celebrities are voluntarily sharing their histories of mental illness, rather than following the previous practice of keeping them hidden, in what some see as an effort to win empathy and audience support.
These conditions include depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
In January last year, famous actress Zhao Lusi’s suspension of work due to severe depression put celebrities’ mental health struggles in the spotlight.
Last December, online influencer and entrepreneur Luo Yonghao revealed in a public speech that he had lived with ADHD for more than a decade.
