Her health is one of Erra Fazira's top priorities. Photo: Handout
Over the course of 30 years in the entertainment industry, Erra Fazira has established herself as an actress and a singer to be reckoned with.
She has won the Best Actress award at Malaysia Film Festival twice – for Soal Hati (2000) and Hingga Hujung Nyawa (2004) – and has released six studio albums under her name, all of which were met with commercial success.
She’s equally known for her beauty, friendly demeanour and grace in handling personal issues in public.
(There’s always much hullabaloo on her high-profiled romances – she was engaged to her Sembilu co-star, Datuk Awie, and was married to director-actor Yusry Abdul Halim and then businessman Engku Emran Engku Zainal Abidin. The now twice-divorced artiste shares 15-year-old daughter Engku Aleesya with her second ex, Engku Emran.)
More recently, her activity on social media gave fans an insight into her sense of humour, her sensibility in successfully completing DIY projects, her love for sports and food, as well as her role as a single mum.
But when asked to describe herself, the former Miss Malaysia found herself at a loss for words.
Instead, her friends who accompanied Erra to this interview offered insights into her personality that the public may not know about.
They described her as having a strong, take-charge attitude, especially in group settings. They also revealed her passion for various extreme activities like deep-sea diving, Muay Thai and riding big bikes.
Despite these revelations, Erra demurred when labelled as the total opposite of “girly”.
“I wouldn’t say total opposite-lah,” said Erra, who celebrated her 50th birthday on Feb 9, with a laugh.
There is no denying the Selangor-born star – whose full name is Fazira Wan Chek – is still beautiful.
Erra Fazira tries to tackle new challenges in order to stay relevant in the industry. Photo: Handout
Sitting close to her, we can attest she has maintained her youth and good looks since making her acting debut in the 1993 film Sembilu.
The film came a year after the then 18-year-old Erra was crowned Miss Malaysia World 1992, which took her to Botswana, Africa, to represent Malaysia in the international beauty pageant.
Just like her arresting beauty, the Pasrah hitmaker has also successfully maintained her popularity in all the years she’s been in showbiz.
According to her, in order to stay relevant as an artiste, one must always evolve and not just stay in their comfort zone.
“I am always looking for opportunities to improve my skills and learn new things.”
Besides acting and singing, Erra has branched out to being a radio deejay, hosting morning talk show – she is currently one of the rotating hosts on TV9’s Nasi Lemak Kopi O – and appearing as judge on Astro’s Masked Singer Malaysia.
Acting-wise, she will be seen in the upcoming movie Harimau Malaya: The Untold Journey.
“My advice to anyone who want to enter this industry is to do it whole-heartedly. There is no such thing as ‘I try and see first’. Go all out.
“Also, as someone who is in the public eye all the time, set a good example. Be a role model for others,” she said.
Her next challenge in showbiz is to take on the role of a film producer.
“One of my dreams is to become a producer. Hopefully, one day I can do that.
“I feel, producing is the pinnacle for a person involved in the film industry.
“I already have a storyline. All I need are investors willing to give me the money to produce.”
1. Even after 30 years, there is still a lot about Erra Fazira that we do not know, which is amazing. Looking back at your career, what would you say is the highlight?
(Winning) Miss Malaysia.
That was where it all began... Miss Malaysia opened the door to everything for me.
When I was at school, I had the opportunity to become a singer and an actor. But my mother stopped me at that time.
But I knew that one day, I will be in this industry... it was just a matter of when and how.
And Miss Malaysia was what made it all possible for me.
2. What’s your secret to having that work-life balance?
The key is to live in moderation at all times.
When I was young, I worked hard. But even back then, I was thinking of how to lead a simpler life.
Because of that, now when I don’t have job offers I am fine with it. I can live comfortably. I don’t have to work day and night to upkeep a lavish lifestyle.
It’s OK to treat yourself with luxury items, it’s not that I don’t do that. The thing is not to show off.
As for me, I never want to share too much with everyone – the challenges, the good things – let those stay with me and not be public knowledge.
Erra Fazira says she hasn't eaten dinner for the past 20 years. The Star
3. One of the unexpected things we learned about you is you are a biker. When did your love affair with big bikes begin?
My first motorcycle was when I was 18.
I went to college with my big motorbike. I was so crazy over big CC bikes that at one time I had three bikes – one sports bike, a Harley Davidson Rocker and an Easy Rider. But I have toned down.
I do have a group of small friends that I ride with. I used to love going around in a big group, but now a small group is good enough.
I have only rode on Malaysian road so far.
But I am hoping to one day – if not this year, maybe next year – to go to the US and do the Route 66 motorcycle road trip (which stretches 3,940km).
Erra Fazira and Awie share common love for big bikes. Photo: The Star
4. You were athletic in school but not everyone is disciplined to stay active as they get older. What drives you?
My health is one of my top priorities.
Also, my mum – who is my role model since young on health and beauty matters – stays very active in her 70s.
Actually, she is more active than me – she exercises three hours a day, every day except maybe on Sunday.
Whereas I exercise five times a week, one to two hours a day. I do strength, pilates and Muay Thai. I cycle and play badminton, too.
5. On your Instagram, we can clearly see that you love food. Is that your motivation to work out so often?
I know that the more I eat, the more exercise I need to do.
We have to be smart on ensuring there is a balance between the two.
One thing that I have maintained is that I don’t take dinner – (I stop at) six o’clock or during fasting month, seven something – and that’s it.
I won’t eat anything after that hour. I have been practising this for the past 20 years.
And I can really eat. People look at me and say, “you definitely don’t eat rice”. That’s so not true. I love eating. I eat rice, I eat oily food. That’s my motivation to keep fit.
I admit I have a weakness for all the kuih muih at tea time which are oily. Then I know that I have to work out an extra 30 minutes.
I also keep munchies in my purse... I have chocolates, kerepek, everything lah. You name it. I just need to (mimic mouth munching) all the time.
