KUALA LUMPUR: Actress Julia Farhana Marin alleged that she almost became a victim of sexual harassment during her early days in the entertainment industry.
The 24-year-old Asam Pedas Untuk Dia and Raja Kapcai actress revealed that the disturbing experience took place during an audition session with a drama series producer and director about three years ago.
“I still remember the director’s request for me to portray a flirtatious woman during the audition.
“At first I was just practising it in front of a wall. But then the director suddenly asked me to seduce and touch him instead.
“I was shocked and confused by his request and couldn’t continue with the audition after that. I was crying by the time I got back into my car,” recalled the Kota Kinabalu-born artiste.
Julia disclosed her ordeal when met after a launching event of a Media Prima Television Networks and Viu collaboration to produce three original dramas, Salon, The Bridge and Jibril in Petaling Jaya yesterday.
Speaking further, she said that she felt scared and traumatised by what had happened.
“I still remember how they compromised my dignity as a woman and brought it down to the lowest level.
“The whole affair was witnessed by the producer as well but he did not do anything about it,” she added.
Julia suggested that newbies to the industry should never go for auditions on their own.
“Based on what had happened to me, I would strongly advise new actresses to bring a friend along for auditions.
“It’s shocking how things like this still happen in this day and age,” she said.