08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Haneesya: Yes, my skin is dark, what else do you want?
KUALA LUMPUR: Actress Haneesya Hanee has spoken out against the persistent ridicule she has faced regarding her skin colour, a form of criticism that has plagued her since her debut.
The 25-year-old artiste, known for her role in the drama Aku Bukan Ustazah, expressed her growing frustration, particularly with the fact that these attacks have now extended to her family members.
"From my time in the Dewi Remaja competition until today, people have fixated on my skin colour," Haneesya lamented.
"I don't know how to make them stop. Every time they target me, they inevitably resort to this skin colour sentiment."
"They seem capable of relating to other aspects of my life, such as my personal stories or relationship issues.
"But when they want to find a 'weak point' to attack, my dark skin colour is still their go-to subject. Yes, my skin is black, what more can I say?" she told BH Online.
Haneesya added that some of the netiznes don't even meet the supposedly conventional beauty standards that they mock her for.
She further revealed that some of those people criticising her also have children which share a similar skin tone as her and could be subjected to the same kind of hurtful comments.
"I've seen the social media profiles of these people hurling insults at me. They seem to lack any consideration for young children who might be affected by the same kind of prejudice," she said.
"How would these children feel when they know their own parents are the ones making such derogatory remarks about someone else's skin? It' would surely be deeply upsetting for them."
Haneesya also expressed her disappointment that her aunt became a target of online abuse after uploading content on TikTok.
While Haneesya acknowledges that some of the criticism directed at her stems from her portrayal of the character Dahlia in the drama Dia Imamku, she stressed that the post in question had nothing to do with the drama.
"During the recent Hari Raya celebrations, I shared a TikTok video featuring my family, including my aunt.
"I was dismayed to see that many people couldn't distinguish between reality and fiction," Haneesya recounted.
"They insulted my extended family and made derogatory remarks. Can't they extend some respect to my family?
"Dahlia is just a character; my innocent family shouldn't be subjected to this kind of abuse.
"It would be different if I had posted something related to Dahlia. In that case, if you want to hurl insults, go ahead," she said.
