Erra Fazira

Erra Fazira (born Fazira Wan Chek 9 February 1974) is a Malaysian actress, singer, fashion model, TV Host, film producer, as well as former beauty queen. Also known as "Primadona Malay Films of the New Millennium"

She rose to fame in the early/mid 1990s following her roles in Sembilu, Sembilu 2, Maria Mariana and Pasrah. She received critical acclaim and a Malaysia Film Festival award for her portrayal of "Nora" in the film Hingga Hujung Nyawa. She received another three Malaysia Film Festival award nomination for her performance in Soalnya Siapa?, Persona Non Grata, and Anak.

Early life

Fazira was born in Sungai Choh, a small town in Selangor, Malaysia, the first child and the only daughter of Wan Chek and Azizah Zaik. Her parents were of Chinese and Bangkahulu origin.^[1] Fazira was an active student during her school days and developed a passion for acting, which she showed an interest in at a very early age. She also joined many school's clubs and societies such as Scouting, St John Ambulance of Malaysia, English Language Society and Culture Club. She was also an active sports student back then and has represented herself and her school in Netball. She said that the knowledge and socialisation which she gained in joining those clubs played an important role in making who she was as Erra Fazira today.^[2]

Fazira attended several different schools including SMK Putri Melawati, Kuala Lumpur.

Beauty Pageant

At the age of 18, Fazira went to take part in the 1992 Malaysian beauty pageant after being persuaded by her aunt. She competed against thirteen others and eventually won the title of Miss Malaysia/World 1992. As Miss Malaysia, Fazira went on to compete in Miss World 1992 pageant, representing Malaysia which was held in South Africa.

Erra then represented Malaysia in Miss South East Asia 1992/1993. She took the third places in Miss South East Asia 1992/1993.

Acting Career

Fazira was approached by director, Yusof Haslam, to star as the lead role in Sembilu. The film opened in cinema on 18 August 1994. The film also marked the first time Erra worked together with her then former dating partner, Awie. Other films roles followed, including a sequel of Sembilu, Sembilu 2 the following year. Fazira reprised her role as Wati.

From 1996 until 2000, Fazira starred in four of Haslam's directed films including the portraying of Maria Zakaria in both Maria Mariana and its sequel Maria Mariana 2. In the 2000s, Soal Hati film, Fazira starred played the character of Nurul Ain. Fazira won the Malaysia Film Festival Award for Best Actress for her role in the film.

Starting 2001, Fazira begun to work with many different directors for her films including Ahmad Idham's Mr. Cinderella (2002); A. Razak Mohaideen's Cinta Kolestrol (2003) and others. In 2004, Fazira went on to star opposite her then former husband, Yusry bin Abdul Halim, in the 2004 Hingga Hujung Nyawa, one of the four films she starred in directed by Mohaideen. Through this film, Fazira once again was awarded the Malaysia Film Festival Award for Best Actress as for the portrayal of Nora Halim in the movie.

In 2002, Fazira acted in a telefilm and hosted the show, Fesyen Tempo.

Personal Life

Erra's love relationship with actor and rock singer, Awie when they both starred in film Sembilu. They got engaged in 1996 after 4 years of dating but ended their relationship in late 1998. Awie later married young singer, Arni Nazira Anuar in December 1998. Erra then met singer Yusry Abdul Halim of Malaysian pop group (KRU) after a magazine photography session together in 2001. Erra Fazira married Yusry on 15 June 2003 at Masjid At- Taqwa, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. The wedding ceremony deemed as the 'Wedding of the Year' was held at Dewan Merdeka, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) on 22 June 2003. On 16 June 2006, the marriage ended when they passed in front of the judge, Yusri confirmed divorce (talak satu) to his wife on 26 April 2006 at their residence.

In Jun 2007, Erra's episode once again became the focus of controversy when she became the subject of stories of an on-off relationship with actor, Hans Isaac. Before that, both Erra and Hans denied having ties of relationship. Their close relationship became controversial when Hans was willing to give a Rolex watch worth RM15,000 for Erra's birthday on the 23rd of February. However, Erra still denied their relationship, as well as claimed "there is no harm in her receiving luxury gifts from a good friend". In the beginning of July 2007, Hans suddenly verified his relationship with Erra. The story continued to a controversial topic that she had already announced to be married to the Chief Operating Officer of Suria FM, Engku Emran Zainal Abidin.

The marriage between Erra and Emran on 25 October 2007 ended media speculation. They had a simple ceremony at Emran's residence in Damansara Kim, on 7 September 2007. On 30 March 2009, Erra gave birth to a baby girl, named Engku Aleesya. On 17 February 2014, Erra and Emran announced their separation after a few times of denying their status.

Filmography

Feature films

TV

References