KUALA LUMPUR: At 78 years old, veteran actress Norlia Ghani is proving that age is no hurdle when it comes to staying active and earning a living.
These days, TikTok has become one of her primary sources of income.
The seasoned star never expected her presence on the platform to take off the way it did.
Beyond hosting live streams, she now receives regular offers to review various products and services—all for fair pay.
Norlia shared that the bulk of her income now stems from reviewing food, homestays, and everyday products on TikTok.
“Most of my income now comes from TikTok. People hire me to review products, food, homestays, and much more.
“The best part is that I receive payment a day or two after completing a task. When acting in dramas—especially series—it can sometimes take months to get paid.
“I never imagined that at my age, people would still be seeking me out. Thank God, the pay is very reasonable—enough to cover my household expenses,” she said in a Berita Harian report.
Norlia was met at the recent ‘Tribute to National Veteran Figures’ event, held in conjunction with the 35th Malaysia Film Festival (FFM35).
She explained that she initially set up her TikTok account out of fear that fans might forget her, following a long hiatus from the big and small screens.
While she simply wanted to reconnect with her audience, she was pleasantly surprised by how well her videos resonated—including a popular collaboration with influencer Azlan The Proton Type, which racked up three million views.
“When you haven’t appeared on television or in films for a long time, people start to forget you.
“I am grateful to Finas (National Film Development Corporation Malaysia) for this recognition. For a long time, I felt as though people were unaware of my existence.
“It seems that, even today, people still remember Norlia Ghani,” she remarked.
As for her acting career, Norlia admitted she has to be far more selective with roles due to her age and stamina.
Shooting television series often means demanding days on set, which is no longer easy for her. As a result, she now weighs every offer against her health and energy levels.
“I am 78 years old, and this December, I will turn 79. So, I have to be realistic about what I can handle.
“It’s not about being ‘picky,’ but rather a matter of age and energy. Drama series, in particular, require a significant time commitment.
“At 70-plus, I need to look after my health. My energy isn’t what it used to be, so I have to be extra careful,” she said.