Beginnings Zhao entered the entertainment industry by co-hosting the variety program
Huo Xing Qing Bao Ju (Mars Intelligence Agency). In 2017, Zhao made her acting debut with a supporting role in the
web drama Cinderella Chef. The same year, she played a minor role in the film
City of Rock.
Rising popularity In 2018, Zhao gained attention for her supporting role in the historical romance series
Untouchable Lovers. The same year, she played her first leading role in the time-travel historical drama
Oh! My Emperor. The series gained popularity and led to increased recognition for Zhao. Zhao received the Newcomer award at the Golden Bud–The Third Network Film And Television Festival. In 2019, Zhao played in the romance film
Autumn Fairytale, based on the South Korean television series
Autumn in My Heart. The same year, she starred in period fantasy
Prodigy Healer, and historical romance
Love Better Than Immortality. She later starred in the romance drama
I Hear You with
Riley Wang. In 2020, Zhao starred in the
xianxia series
Love of Thousand Years. She then starred in historical romance drama
The Romance of Tiger and Rose. The series was a hit, and was praised for its interesting setup and plot. She won the Best Leading Actress award at 2020 Wenrong Awards. The same year, she starred in the romance drama
Dating in the Kitchen. In 2021, Zhao starred as the second female lead in the historical series
The Long Ballad, which gained her the Asian Star Prize at 2021
Seoul International Drama Awards. Then she played the lead role in the romantic comedy
Please Feel at Ease Mr. Ling, and starred in the period drama
A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College. In 2022, she starred in the wuxia fantasy romance drama
Who Rules The World with
Yang Yang, based on the novel by Qing Lengyue, and starred in the historical romance drama
Love Like the Galaxy alongside
Wu Lei, based on the novel,
Xing Han Can Lan, Xing Shen Zhi Zai by Guan Xin Ze Luan. She also led the drama
Gen Z alongside
Wu Gang, Luo Yi Zhou, Alina Zhang, and Jiang Shan. In 2023, Zhao was named by
Versace as its new global
brand ambassador, with the chief creative officer
Donatella Versace saying "I am thrilled Rosy is joining our Versace family, i love her style, her energy and her spirit, she is a powerful Versace woman". On June 22, 2024, the film ''There's a Kiosk by the Clouds
, in which she co-starred with Peng Yuchang and Zhou Yuya, was released nationwide, in which she played the role of Cherry, the owner of the coffee shop. On October 11, the released song "You R" was put online; on October 12, she took part in the program 2024 Shake It Up Good and Wonderful Night
, performing the song "You R". on October 15, she was listed on the Vogue'' Gala's announced full lineup list. On October 15, the official full lineup list for the
Vogue Gala was announced. On November 1, starred in the TV series
The Story of Pearl Girl. In May 2024, she was announced as one of the torchbearers for the
2024 Summer Olympics.
Hiatus and return In December 2024, Zhao suspended all professional activities due to health issues, revealing that she had been battling depression since 2019. Her friends alleged that she had experienced workplace abuse at her management agency. On January 25, 2025, Zhao made her first appearance since her recovery at a public charity event. In March, the Mango TV reality show
Be Myself, which documented her recovery trip, began airing but was pulled after three episodes amid controversy over remarks she made while visiting a rural village, including asking a country girl whether she had ever posed for art photos. On August 4, 2025, Zhao went public with her contractual dispute with her agency, alleging that it had made unauthorized withdrawals from her personal studio's account and left her to shoulder financial debts, despite its earlier claims that it would take responsibility for the canceled endorsements while she was seeking treatment for health issues in 2024. In October 2025, it was reported the Zhao would be signing under Alibaba's entertainment division, Hujin DME. As part of the contract, it would help Zhao with the contract termination matters with her former management agency in exchange of a two-year mentorship for its trainees. Additionally, it had secured roles for Zhao in several television series as well, paving the way for her to return to the Chinese entertainment industry. At the end of the month, Zhao released "Black Veil Bride" and "Don't Wanna Know", English songs which were also produced by
Brian Lee. ==Filmography==