Maya Karin experienced a panic attack while presenting an award at the Malaysian Film Festival. Photo: Maya Karin/Instagram
Award-winning Malaysian actress Maya Karin experienced an anxiety attack while presenting an award during the 32nd Malaysian Film Festival (FFM32) that took place on Friday (Dec 2) at Encore Melaka.
While announcing the winner for the Best Actor award, the 43-year-old star could be seen trembling. Her voice also became very shaky.
In an Instagram post on Dec 3, Maya thanked local actor Faizal Hussein for helping her keep her balance after she almost fainted.
"My hero last night, such a gentleman. He even collected my shoes that were left onstage," she wrote.
The Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam actress also took off her high heels before announcing the winner.
"It's the only way I could cope and not faint. Keeping my feet on the ground. Once again, a thousand thanks to Faizal Hussein," she shared in an Instagram Story.
Public Health Malaysia, an online platform established to discuss issues related to health, praised Maya for handling her panic attack so well.
"Taking off your shoes is one way of grounding. Grounding is an effective way to calm anxiety during panic attacks as it helps you recognise where you are. It creates a sense of comfort.
"You did very well, Maya! You did such a great job on the big stage," it said in a statement on Facebook.
This isn't the first time the Munafik 2 star experienced a panic attack.
Last year, Maya revealed that she missed the opportunity to star alongside Henry Golding in Crazy Rich Asians because of her anxiety.
She first opened up about her anxiety in 2019 and shared that she was taking diving lessons to overcome it.
