PETALING JAYA: Being a single mother of five following her divorce in 2002, actress and comedienne Didie Alias, 50, said she had no choice but to take on all kinds of work to make ends meet.
The artiste said that after she left show business when she married actor Ridzuan Hashim in 1992, it was difficult for her to make a comeback in an industry that had almost forgotten about her.
"But as I needed to earn a living, I did all sorts of work, including selling lingerie to GROs at nightclubs.
"Yes, I used to 'cari makan' at clubs, but not as a GRO," she said at the launch of TV3's "Bicara Inspirasi Nona" today.
"It was a lucrative business. I would buy a RM20 lingerie set from Danok in Thailand, and sell it for RM200. That's on top of generous tips given by some nightclub workers."
Later, she worked as a production manager with producers such as Datuk Rosyam Nor and Michael Ang.
Didie added that it was while working with Ang that she received offers to start acting again.
"Ang asked me to play an extra in his production, and the rest is history."
Didie, who starred in "Kanta Serigala", "Boss" and "Pesona Cinta" during her heydays, was one of the guest panellists chosen to share their story with viewers.
"Bicara Inspirasi Nona" celebrates the 37th anniversary of "Nona", the station's magazine.
Other panellists included oncologist Dr Mastura Md Yusof and Mamasab International founder Siti Noor Sabrina Soobri.
TV3 will broadcast the programme on Oct 30 at 2pm.