Mermaids made it to the headlines in May 2013 after Animal Planet ran a hit mockumentary called "Mermaids: The New Evidence." Many viewers thought the YouTube promo video was for real. Now the same mythical creature can be hired for your theme parties for under $2,000 - if you're in Malaysia.

Malaysian model Felixia Yeap suits up as a mermaid at parties for $1,600. She told AsiaOne the gig allows her to "indulge in my free-diving hobby." She also said she's always been fascinated by mermaids since her childhood.

"I googled, did a lot of research and discovered that so many people are doing this in the US and Australia," she said, explaining how she got into the fun job.

Many of those who saw "Mermaids: The New Evidence" and missed the other hoax documentary (prequel) "Mermaids: The Body Found" were bewildered by the Animal Planet video. But the credits do display the actors and production crew. Both mockumentaries were produced by the same creative leaders.

Yeap says her mermaid gig involves 30 to 45 minutes of "swimming around in the pool [and hanging out in the poolside], smiling and posing for cameras, as well as chit-chatting with guests." She clarifies that as a mermaid, she is more appreciated by children than grown-up people.

Yeap is mixing business and leisure in her job - something the Animal Planet "mermaid documentary" has done, too. And the production has been dubbed a "genius hoax."

"These extraordinary television specials have electrified, challenged and entertained television audiences and online fans alike," Animal Planet president Marjorie Kaplan said, as quoted by Entertainment Weekly.

Charlie Foley, creator, writer, and executive producer of the series, said in an interview that mermaids make an appealing story because you can believe they are real.

For her part, Yeap noted the mermaid gig is still pretty new in Malaysia, but adds, if grownups are into mermaids, she'd get hired "more often."

VIDEO: Mermaids 2013 - The new evidence, interview

More 'Mermaid' Stories:

Mermaid Video: 'New Evidence' Draws Millions In; Sparks More Viral Funny Mermaid Memes [PHOTOS]
Mermaid Video: 'New Evidence' 2013 Creator Says, 'You can believe (mermaids) are real' [WATCH]

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