#SHOWBIZ: A seriously funny lady
MENTION the name Rosnah Mat Aris and an iconic television advertisement from the 1980s will come to mind.
In the Axion dishwashing paste commercial, Rosnah, a kampung eatery owner, introduces her long-suffering employee — played by the late actor-comedian Harun Salim Bachik — to the product.
Reminiscing about those days in a recent interview, Rosnah said: "I began acting in the 1980s, advertising Axion and many other products. I also starred in the popular TV3 Ramadan drama series 'Rumah Kedai' alongside Kartina Aziz and Harun."
She also fondly remembers her appearance in 'Naik Tangga Turun Tangga', the Malaysian version of the famous 1970s British drama series 'Upstairs Downstairs'.
"That was a very Malaysian take on the popular British TV series — about a rich family living upstairs in their bungalow and their employees who live downstairs. I played one of the workers."
Mentored by the late actor and television host Mustaffa Noor, Rosnah, now 69, later found fame starring in comedies, especially the 'Anak Mami' series produced and directed by Datuk Dr A Razak Mohaideen.
"It is in these movies, 'Anak Mami' and its spin-off 'Mami Jarum', that I was introduced to moviegoers of the 2000s.
"Since then, I have also hosted TV programmes, especially entertainment- and women-related ones."
FIVE-TIME AWARD WINNER
Rosnah's popularity as a comedienne earned her four wins at the annual Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian (ABPBH).
The mother of four and grandmother of five has also done serious dramas. One of them, 'Tersasar Di JalanMu', earned her the Best Actress award at Anugerah Skrin 2009.
"While I always feel at home in comedies as I am a cheerful person, serious roles also interest me, either villainous or tragic characters.
"You can call me a funny lady, but I'd prefer to be a serious funny lady, whose dramas and movies contain important lessons," she said, referring to her most recent flick, '3 Janda Melawan Dunia', in 2022.
Rosnah is grateful to return to work after the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Imagine two years without work. Everything cost money.
"I was careful during the economic downturn in 1997. I had several canteens, including one at Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), which I shared with my late brother.
"I later focused on my own canteen near Ampang Park and that lasted longer. I'm always careful to save for a rainy day," she added.
Asked about the "trend" of artistes asking for financial help, Rosnah described it as normal.
"This happens everywhere — those who can help will do so. But it is not fair to criticise just because we are artistes.
"Artistes are not rich if they don't have a business as a back-up. It's not enough if you only act."
POWER OF SUPPORTING ARTISTES
Rosnah hopes that the entertainment industry will recognise supporting artistes more.
"Supporting actors and actresses are very important for the success of a series or movie.
"There is no Cinderella without the fairy godmother and no Batman without Robin."
Rosnah, once called the Michelle Williams and Bette Midler of Malaysia, because of her short blonde hairstyle that resembled theirs. said: "I don't think I'm as talented as them, but I'm honoured as they are versatile actresses.
After 12 years of being a single mother, Rosnah married Tajul Effendi Isa, better known as Blue, in 2008.
These days, the couple organise entertainment events that Rosnah also emcees.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
35 minutes ago
- The Star
'Doing what I love': Malaysian fashion designer Zang Toi is living his best life
One thing that Datuk Zang Toi knows best is living in the moment – and fashion design, of course. The Kelantan-born trailblazer has built an international reputation for his bold, elegant creations. His clients include celebrities and royalty alike. 'I'm just enjoying my life right now,' he says during a video call from New York City, where he lives. 'When I'm not travelling, I stick to a very disciplined schedule. I'm usually up by seven or eight in the morning, and with a cup of black coffee in hand, I'll read the newspaper and reply to emails or text messages.' Despite his global success, he remains grounded. He still finds contentment in simple pleasures and the quiet rhythm of each day. Toi treasures the little moments – an evening run in the nearby park, sketching in the hotel lobby across from his apartment, or cooking a simple dinner to wind down. He never forgets his Malaysian roots, and still sees himself as the young boy from Kuala Krai who dared to dream big. 'My family is in Malaysia, and I have a big group of fans there. I'm still a proud Malaysian,' he says, with his trademark beaming smile. His collections often reflect his heritage, such as the inclusion of a cheongsam design for the Autumn/Winter 2025 collection. 'There's this jade green piece with a hand-beaded silver dragon, inspired by my beloved 97-year-old mother, who has worn a cheongsam every day since she was 18,' he notes. Toi says he is not ready to slow down just yet. Turning 64 this week, he continues to pour his energy into his work, finding joy in every stitch, sketch and show. 'I count my blessings everyday doing what I love.' Zang Toi's Malaysian heritage often surfaces in his collections, like this cheongsam inspired by his mother's dressing. Photo: Aly Kuler How would you describe the current chapter of your career as a designer? I have been truly blessed. This is my 36th year in business. When I first started out in in 1989, one of my dresses was featured in Vogue by Anna Wintour, and three months later, I was selected by her to be among the new young faces of American fashion. That put me on the fashion map. Thirty six years later, my business is still going strong. As a matter of fact, last year was my best year. Even though there is this view of luxury brands not doing so well in terms of sales, my label performed incredibly well. Read more: Gen-Z fashion, streetwear, K-pop: Designer Tom Abang Saufi is still cool at 70 Is there something you are doing differently compared to other luxury brands? I'm operating by special orders only. My designs are no longer stocked in stores. Saks Fifth Avenue, the biggest luxury department store chain in America (which bought over rivals Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman in December last year), is allowing me to travel to all its branches in the country and put on an three-day trunk show. I would say it's a very lucrative business model – you don't have returns, you don't have markdowns, you don't have discounts. I'm fortunate that even after decades, the ladies still love my clothes. They come from across America too, and they don't buy two or three pieces, they order a whole wardrobe of looks from me. What is your secret to creating beautiful clothes that stand out, yet feel so deeply personal to your clients? You have to combine fashion and functionality. I think when the Zang Toi name is mentioned, people immediately associate it with glamour, but I always strive to make sure that my designs look 'right' on the person wearing them. You cannot have your creations looking too costume-y. Most of those who wear Zang Toi know that they're guaranteed the attention, but at the same time, they are confident of not appearing as too over the top. What is next for you? Lots of veteran designers usually release a memoir to mark their long career. I've been approached by so many people about writing a book, but I told them I have to wait until I'm retired. After several decades in the industry, he is still as exuberant as the young man who first stepped into New York City to pursue his fashion career. This picture shows him with one of his designs in 2020. Photo: Aly Kuler I'm such a perfectionist. If I'm going to take on something like that, I'd want it to be the best of the best. So maybe it'll be wise to wait until I have the time to fully dedicate my attention to it. If I were to release a memoir, I'd want it to serve as an inspiration for younger designers. For all the kids living in a small kampung , I want to show them that they too can achieve their dreams. I was a 'C-student' in school growing up. I just loved drawing. If I can make it, so can they. Is that a subtle hint that you are thinking about stepping back and finally taking a well-earned break? Not yet, but eventually I have to. I've been working for decades. I would like to have spare time to travel further and see more of this world, before I leave it. I think somehow there will come a time when I have to leave the stage gracefully and give space to the next generation. Read more: 'Just do you': How Malaysian designer Bernard Chandran fashioned his success It has been a while since your last show in Malaysia. Can we expect a big runway return sometime soon? I have something in mind for next year, a runway showcase, but it depends on a few things coming together. Maybe I'll move my focus to Malaysia when I'm semi-retired – and if I do, I'd love to work on launching projects that support the next generation of Malaysian designers. Have young Malaysian designers ever reached out to you for advice on navigating the fashion industry? Once in a while, I get students reaching out to me on social media for help and advice, but so far, no young designers. If anyone needs advice, just reach out to me – I'm pretty good at replying to DMs (direct messages). A good friend once told me you should never become too important to return phone calls or messages. We Malaysians are fortunate to have several individuals making their mark internationally, like (Datuk) Jimmy Choo and (Tan Sri) Michelle Yeoh, so the younger generation should always seize any opportunity to learn from them.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Goblin up the hype
TO be frank, this makcik is clueless about Labubu and barely spares a side glance at the snaking queues outside a Pop Mart store in one of the country's many malls. If you are just as lost as this makcik, fret not – you are not alone. Apparently, Labubu is popular. Yes, people, these wide-eyed, wild-haired goblins with rabbit-like ears – collectively known as Labubu – have taken Malaysia by storm. Why? Why not. This scruffy little vinyl figure, with a thousand-yard stare and teeth that look like they were flossed with lightning wire, is now the reigning monarch of Malaysian toy shelves and online resale groups. Labubu is not new; it is part of The Monsters series by Pop Mart, a Chinese company renowned for turning tiny plastic things into full-blown cultural phenomena. While Labubu has long enjoyed niche popularity among collectors, something curious has happened in Malaysia: Labubu is not just a toy. It has become a statement, a personality and even a part-time investment portfolio. Every new release sends fans into a frenzy. People queue for hours outside malls, jostling for a position like it is a Yeezy drop – not a figurine that looks like it crawled out of the woods and stole your snacks. Online, shopping carts crash, websites melt down and grown adults devolve into e-commerce gladiators – frantically refreshing as if their lives depend on it. And what happens after that? If you are lucky, you land a Labubu at retail price – anywhere from RM59 to RM89. If not, you turn to the aftermarket, where prices balloon like a durian in heat. A rare edition Labubu can fetch over RM2,000. That is not a typo. That is a full month's rent – or two, depending on where you live. And yet, collectors will happily shell it out, proudly posting their catch with captions like: 'Finally got him!' – as if they had just adopted a child, not a gremlin in a box. It is hard to explain Labubu's appeal to the uninitiated. It has the unsettling energy of something that may haunt your dreams but also... it's cute? Sort of? In an 'ugly-cute' kind of way. But this goes beyond aesthetics. Labubu mania taps into something deeper. In a world that feels increasingly out of control – climate anxiety, rising living costs or the existential dread of Monday mornings – Labubu offers a tiny, tangible slice of joy. It is nostalgia, comfort, chaos and consumerism all in one box. A millennial and Gen Z coping mechanism – with fangs. Of course, the craze has not escaped criticism. Some scoff at the resale market. Others question the wisdom of spending hundreds – or thousands – on a toy. But ask any collector and you will hear a variation of the same answer: 'It makes me happy.' And honestly, in a time when happiness feels like a luxury, who are we to judge? Still, the madness rolls on. Limited-edition drops vanish in seconds. Facebook groups host dedicated Labubu clans – trading, selling and occasionally squabbling over authenticity and resale ethics. Even shopping malls have started turning releases into mini-events, complete with props and photo ops – as if Labubu himself were a visiting celebrity. It is surreal. It is slightly absurd. And it is also kind of brilliant. Because Labubu, for all his snaggle-toothed strangeness, has become a mirror. He reflects our hunger for something fun, something offbeat and something to hold onto that is not just another soulless screen or endless doomscroll. He is the oddball mascot of a generation trying to find happiness wherever it can – be it in bubble tea, K-dramas or a gremlin with bad posture and stellar marketing. So here's to Labubu, the punk-rock toy Malaysia didn't know it needed. Long may he reign – scruffy, silent and mildly terrifying – on display shelves across the nation. Just don't be surprised if your next dinner guest is late... because they may be stuck in a mall queue – for a goblin.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Alif Satar shocked and saddened by UPSI bus crash
KUALA LUMPUR: Popular singer and actor Alif Satar has expressed his shock and sorrow following the tragic accident yesterday that claimed the lives of 15 people on board a Sultan Idris Educational University (UPSI) bus in Gerik, Perak. In an Instagram video posted yesterday, Alif recounted how he and his band, The Locos, had previously performed at the university in Tanjung Malim, Perak, and were greatly appreciative of the students' support. "The UPSI students were very supportive of us and followed our musical developments closely," he said. "May the souls of the deceased rest in peace and be placed among the righteous. This is a very sad tragedy for Malaysia. "On behalf of my band, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of those who died. May they stay strong in this moment of grief." Alif also urged Malaysian motorists to drive safely and observe all road safety regulations. The 15 UPSI students were killed in a pre-dawn crash at KM53 of the East–West Highway near Tasik Banding in Gerik. The fatal crash occurred along a dark, downhill, and winding stretch of road.
