Mental health issues drew public attention in May 2018, when reports emerged that Lu Jiarong had allegedly “harmed herself” or had suicidal thoughts (gewan qingsheng). Panic increased when the incident was linked to a social media post (of questionable authenticity) stating, “If something happens, it will be like Qiao Renliang.” This was shocking because Qiao Renliang, also repeatedly associated with the same agency as Yu Menglong, had died by suicide under intense industry pressure. The post effectively served as a warning about the extreme psychological stress she might have faced.
Jiarong’s studio quickly denied the suicide attempt rumors. Shortly after, Jiarong appeared at the airport, openly showing her hands to reporters and fans to prove there were no serious injuries.
More Read
The Six-Hour Contact Gap That Alarmed the Public
One of the most notable incidents was a six-hour communication gap that triggered widespread public concern. One night, Lu Jiarong posted about a hand injury, after which she reportedly became unreachable for several hours, and her studio was also difficult to contact. The delay in clarification fueled suspicions, especially amid rampant suicide-related rumors. Eventually, the studio announced that she only had minor injuries and had been taken to the hospital. However, the long communication gap led the public to speculate that the agency might have withheld information or tried to cover up a bigger incident.
Current Status: Lu Jiarong Disappears, Whereabouts Unconfirmed
Although Jiarong appeared in the drama The Brightest of Us, which aired in 2023, her current status remains shrouded in mystery. Since her last public appearance, her whereabouts cannot be confirmed, and speculation about her fate continues.
Last Known Suspicious Moments
Final Public Appearance: Jiarong was last seen at Beijing Fashion Week in April 2023. Behind-the-scenes footage shows her whispering a mysterious message to her assistant: “Don’t look back.”
Loss of Role: In the same month, rumors from casting directors suggested she lost a role for refusing to comply with drinking demands, reinforcing suspicions about “unwritten rules” artists are expected to follow.
Unconfirmed Status
Account Activity: In November 2023, Jiarong’s account briefly appeared in a “lower-tier artist rights protection group” before disappearing again.
Rumored Career Change: Around December 2024 (early 2025), unverified reports claimed she was seen working as a stand-in at Hengdian, earning only 300 yuan per day.
No Official Updates: Since 2023, rumors about Jiarong’s departure have circulated repeatedly, but none have been confirmed. Without official statements from her agency, family, or friends, Lu Jiarong’s current whereabouts remain a mystery, and everyone awaits official confirmation.
Conclusion: Between Fame and Void
Lu Jiarong’s (Kelsey Lu) story is a complex representation of a celebrity life under intense scrutiny. On one hand, she was a talented actress with a brilliant career. On the other, she constantly had to fight against dangerous narratives and baseless rumors, from moral scandals to alleged self-harm attempts.
Despite all the dark rumors about her personal life and mental health being firmly denied by her management, the case ended with the mysterious disappearance of the actress. Alongside the tragedies of Yu Menglong and Qiao Renliang, Lu Jiarong’s story serves as a stark reminder of the price of fame in China, where a talented artist can vanish from the industry without a trace.
(Various sources)
[…] The Mystery of Lu Jiarong’s Disappearance: A Popular Actress Under the Shadow of Yu Menglong’s Agency Rumored to Have Joined Yu Menglong’s Agency, Here Are 6 Things to Know About Patrick Nattawat Finkler Song Yiren’s “Evil Girl” Role in This Program Goes Viral Amid Yu Menglong’s Death Controversy Patrick Nattawat Finkler Rumored to Join Yu Menglong’s Agency, Chinese Netizens Panic: “Run If You Can!” Rumor Claims Yu Menglong’s Mother Has Died, But Is It True? […]