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Actress Sarimah Ibrahim criticizes industry's 'diva' label for artists defending rights
๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡พ Malaysia /Culture & Society

Actress Sarimah Ibrahim criticizes industry's 'diva' label for artists defending rights

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Actress Sarimah Ibrahim criticizes the art industry for labeling artists as 'divas' or difficult to work with when they assert their rights.
  • She notes that some industry players prefer working with artists perceived as 'easy,' which often means those who don't challenge or conform to group dynamics.
  • Ibrahim asserts that artists also have the right to refuse collaborations with individuals who create unhealthy work environments, drawing parallels to respected actors avoiding unprofessional or biased colleagues.

Veteran actress Che Puan Sarimah Ibrahim has voiced strong criticism against a prevalent attitude within the arts industry, where artists who dare to stand up for their rights are often unfairly branded as "divas" or difficult collaborators. The 48-year-old actress highlighted a concerning trend where certain industry figures explicitly seek out artists deemed "easy" to manage.

"In this industry, some say they don't want to work with certain artists unless the artist is 'easy' to work with," Sarimah stated on the Threads app. She elaborated that this often translates to labeling anyone who defends their rights, refuses to flatter others, or avoids engaging in group politics as problematic, leading to accusations of being difficult, a diva, or overly calculating.

While acknowledging that individuals have the freedom to choose their collaborators, Sarimah firmly believes that artists also possess the right to decline working with people who foster a negative or unhealthy atmosphere on set. She pointed out that many respected actors choose not to associate with individuals who exhibit rude behavior, instability, or who project their personal issues onto the workplace, often influenced by questionable cronyism.

"So, it's all fair and good," she added, suggesting a reciprocal right to choose professional associations. Sarimah's candid remarks resonated with many in the Malaysian entertainment scene, with numerous netizens agreeing that such issues are indeed prevalent in the local industry.

Commenters shared similar sentiments, with one user noting that "easy to work with" often means unquestioningly accepting long hours and unprofessional conduct on set, while another thanked Sarimah for speaking out. The discussion underscored a broader sentiment that professionalism should involve mutual respect and the courage to uphold ethical standards, rather than silent compliance.

In this industry, some say they don't want to work with certain artists unless the artist is 'easy' to work with.

โ€” Sarimah IbrahimDescribing the preference for 'easy' artists in the industry.
About this summary

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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