MODEL and actress Haneesya Hanee has a spine-tingling shiver each time she is made to act in a nightclub scene.
This, she said, was largely due to an unfortunate incident which befell her during the Dewi Remaja 2018/2019 contest.
"Back then, I lost my crown because of a viral video which purportedly showed me in a nightclub partying with some friends," she said during a recent interview with the cast of the drama series 'Aku Bukan Ustazah' at Muzium Telekom in Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur.
The meet-the-fans session was in conjunction with TV3's 40th anniversary celebrations.
The 24-year-old Haneesya, who won Dewi Remaja 2018/2019 but saw her title withdrawn after 72 hours no thanks to the viral video, said appearing in a nightclub scene gives her anxiety attacks even though it does not show her "dancing and partying" .
In 'Aku Bukan Ustazah', Haneesya plays "party girl" Sally who lives a hedonistic lifestyle but gradually turns over a new leaf.
Playing a 'party animal' brings back that sad chapter of her life and career, she said.
"I get worried about what netizens might say, and we can never expect them to forgive and forget."
Haneesya added that although actors and actresses had to be mentally tough, it is easier said than done, especially when they are "100 per cent in her shoes".
"When something happens to you and hits you hard, it leaves a 'psychological bruise' that you will always struggle to erase."
Haneesya is thankful that viewers have mostly welcomed the character of Sally, and she has not heard of anything negative so far.
"But playing Sally, or any other similar character, always allows for the possibility of meeting judgemental netizens."
Haneesya said after doing the nightclub scene involving her character, she became breathless and started to cry.
"My mother and my manager witnessed it all. I shivered and rushed to the lavatory where I took some deep breaths and relaxed till I felt better."
Haneesya prays that she will not have to appear in such scenes in future Malay dramas.
"I'm quite all right if we shoot a scene in a nightclub where there is no partying. But if there is, here is where I become a bundle of nerves!"
On another note, Haneesya said her mother Nor Sakaruneeda's recent statement that she had to pawn her jewellery to "make ends meet" was not an exaggeration.
"Yes, I found it hard to get acting roles over last year and early this year.
"After winning the Popular New Female Artiste category in Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 32, I found it difficult to land an acting role.
"But thank God, I slowly began to receive offers to review health food and beauty products as well as haircare products."
Haneesya began her acting career at age 9 in the theatre production of 'Siti Di Alam Fantasi' in 2009.
She also appeared in 'Lat's Kampung Boy — The Musical', which was staged at Istana Budaya in 2011.
Since then, Haneesya has acted in various TV drama series and telemovies, including TV3's 'Cinta Roller Coaster' (2016) and 'Misteri Flat Kirana' (2023).