Before becoming an artist, I was a clerk, handed out flyers on the street – Syatilla Melvin

Malaysian actress Syatilla Melvin is pushing back against public perception that celebrities find business ventures effortless due to their fame. She revealed that before becoming a household name in the entertainment industry, she endured significant hardships to make ends meet.

"Many netizens comment, 'You're an artist, so it's easy,' or 'You're an artist, people will buy anything you sell,'" Melvin shared on Threads. "I don't mind, but being an artist alone isn't enough without effort. Before I was known, I swallowed the bitterness myself."

Melvin recounted her past experiences working in ordinary jobs, including a stint as a clerk while awaiting the final rounds of the Dewi Remaja competition. She also recalled distributing Maxis flyers on the street under the hot sun, facing daily rejections. "But those experiences were very valuable. God is the best planner. Alhamdulillah, for now," she added.

She shared these reflections after posting about her current role as a marketing agent, which garnered considerable attention online. Her comments highlight the dedication and hard work behind her success, challenging the notion that fame automatically translates to easy profits.