From ‘Opah’ to TikTok: Norlia Ghani finds a new way to connect with fans at 79

Veteran actress Norlia Ghani during a photography session following the Tribute and Appreciation Programme for National Veteran Figures held in conjunction with the 35th Malaysia Film Festival at Finas in Hulu Kelang on November 4, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Thursday, 05 Nov 2026 9:07 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — At 79, veteran artiste Norlia Ghani is not allowing her age to stand in the way of staying relevant, having now made a name for herself as an active content creator on TikTok.

However, Norlia, who affectionately refers to herself as ‘Mama’, said her transition to the digital platform was driven by health considerations, although she continues to receive acting offers.

“Mama has to be selective about the roles she takes on because of her age. At this stage of life, I need to take care of my health as I am no longer as strong as I used to be, so I have to be more careful.

“Filming also involves long hours on set. Occasionally, Mama will accept acting offers. If there are none, Mama focuses on TikTok,” she told Bernama after the Tribute and Appreciation Programme for National Veteran Figures, held in conjunction with the 35th Malaysian Film Festival (FFM) at Finas in Hulu Kelang yesterday.

National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) chairman Datuk Dr Hans Isaac poses with veteran actors AR Badul and Norlia Ghani during a tribute and appreciation programme held in conjunction with the 35th Malaysia Film Festival at FINAS in Hulu Kelang on November 4, 2026. — Bernama pic

The actress, who is widely recognised for her portrayal of Joyah in the popular television drama series Opah, described TikTok as an ideal alternative platform to stay connected with her fans while earning an income.

Through the platform, Norlia actively takes on various opportunities, including product reviews, food promotions and invitations to official events, which not only provide lucrative returns but also offer a smoother payment process.

“Payment for review jobs is faster. Once the work is completed, I receive my payment immediately, unlike drama productions where we have to wait a little longer,” she said, expressing gratitude that her videos had garnered millions of views.

The mother of actor Rusdi Ramli said creating digital content was, in fact, not very different from her original profession in front of the camera.

“Whether it is drama or TikTok, Mama feels as though I am acting because when we do affiliate collaborations with products, we still have to speak in front of the camera. It is all the same,” she said, adding that she was grateful for the strong support from her children and positive comments from fans.

Brushing aside cynical remarks by some who believe senior citizens should not be overly enthusiastic about using social media, Norlia said she chose to ignore such criticism as her only intention was to earn an honest living. — Bernama