{
  "id": 1431341,
  "title": "#SHOWBIZ: Lufya Omar battled depression post-divorce; bounced back by selling cakes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/showbiz-lufya-omar-battled-depression-post-divorce-bounced-back-by",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-17T06:00:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2026/08/1512950/showbiz-lufya-omar-battled-depression-post-divorce-bounced-back"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "MELBOURNE, July 24 - Actress Lufya Omar, 41, has opened up about her journey through depression following her divorce six years ago. The revelation of her partner's infidelity led to a severe depression that left her feeling utterly despondent. Gaining weight became her coping mechanism, as food was the only thing that brought her joy. Lufya, who was fully committed to the marriage despite the burdens, acknowledged that the life she was leading was not as enviable as it appeared to others. Pressure mounted from all sides - left, right, above, and below.\n\nFollowing the divorce, Lufya distanced herself from the idea of a new relationship and instead focused on self-improvement and raising her daughter, Laana Haura. However, returning to her acting career was challenging, as many roles required her to remove her hijab. In a moment of despair, she confided in God about her inability to run a business, as she only knew how to sing and act. It was during this time of personal crisis that Lufya's mother suggested she sell durian cakes made by an acquaintance. Although initially uninterested in baking, the high demand for the cakes led Lufya to learn how to bake them herself, even though she wasn't particularly fond of it. Despite multiple attempts, her skills improved, and she eventually fell in love with the world of baking. The proceeds from these cake sales have enabled Lufya to support Laana Haura and achieve other successes. Lufya views her past struggles as a process of personal growth and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to visit the Holy Land every year. She now harbors a greater ambition to assist those in need in Muslim nations like Palestine, Syria, and Yemen.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Actress Lufya Omar, 41, has shared her experience of going through a divorce six years ago—a period she describes as one of the darkest phases of her life.",
  "key_points": [
    "Actress Lufya Omar battled depression after divorce six years ago.",
    "She found solace in baking durian cakes to support her daughter.",
    "Lufya plans to help those in need in Muslim nations."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Lufya Omar's journey through depression and her subsequent pivot to baking and entrepreneurship marks a turning point in her life, shifting her focus from acting to self-improvement and supporting others.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}