Malaysian actress Sherlyn Seo opens up about struggle with anxiety and dark side of being a celeb

Malaysian actress Sherlyn Seo, 28, has opened up about her struggle with anxiety. Photo: Sherlyn Seo/Instagram

Malaysian actress Sherlyn Seo recently opened up about her struggle with anxiety and the dark side of being a celebrity.

In a three-minute video on Instagram, Seo said she faced multiple hurdles in her acting career. She also revealed that she used to feel "anxious and lost" as she didn't receive as many opportunities as others.

"Being an actress is passive, and the income is also very passive," the 28-year-old said.

In addition to the "passive income", Seo added that her anxiety caused her to lose confidence and make her feel like she wasn't good enough. She then started blaming her own abilities.

"Life became increasingly depressing and I started doubting my own value. These years of lows made me feel breathless," the Adoiii Jiwaku (2023) star lamented.

In her video, Seo also took the time to debunk the myth that all celebrities lead glamorous lives.

The Penang-born actress shared that during the low years of her career, her heart had been "sick" for a long time despite the glamorous persona projected on social media.

"I was in a low energy state for a long time. Seeing my own flaws every day but unable to move forward ... I was plagued by negative emotions. It made me lose motivation," she added.

According to Seo, the negativity had her feeling tired most of the time. However, she realised in recent years that she couldn't carry on like this if she wanted to break that cycle of self-doubt.

Feeling the need to change and focus on internal growth, Seo decided to pick up new hobbies and skills.

"Last year, I learned how to play the piano and cultivated a reading habit. I even had a bold idea to start my own sportswear brand and am currently working on it," she said, adding that it allowed her to redefine herself and regain confidence.

Although Seo admitted that she knew very little about business, the Headlines (2017) actress wanted to explore more possibilities for herself.

"Besides being an actress, I hope I can also be recognised as a female entrepreneur," she said.

To conclude her video, Seo advised her followers to not be afraid of anxiety as it can sometimes be used as a tool for one to move forward.

"You must learn to find strength in anxiety. Find hope and find the courage to move forward. Let it lead you towards a better and stronger version of yourself," she said.