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Wardina Safiyyah | |
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| Born | Wardina Safiyyah Fadlullah Wilmot 5 June 1979 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, model, TV host |
| Years active | 1997–2013 |
| Spouse | Ikhwan Johari (m. 2002) |
| Children | 3 |
Wardina Safiyyah Fadlullah Wilmot (born 5 June 1979) is a Malaysian actress, model, and TV host. She is of Australian and Acehnese descent.
Wardina is the second child of six siblings. Her Australian father, Fadlullah Wilmot, [1] was invited by Tun Abdul Razak the former Prime Minister of Malaysia to work in Malaysia. Mr Wilmot met her mother Asmah Abdul Ghani an Acehnese when he volunteered to teach English in Aceh, Indonesia. [2] Her father is an active humanitarian currently working with Muslim Aid. [3]
Married to Ikhwan Johari in September 2002. She has 3 children; Amna Nafeesa, Azra Sareera and Imran Arrazi. [4] [5] [6]
Her work experience ranges from broadcasting, entertainment, journalism, advertising, writing, public speaking, conducting seminars and various social work particularly working with children, women and the underprivileged.
Wardina will be best remembered as among the first "celebrity" in Malaysia to embrace covering up (the hijab). From a sexy model, she shocked the country when she decided to cover up and adorn the hijab. She later starred in the first hijab wearing shampoo commercial in the world for SUNSILK [7] without showing a single strand of hair. The advertisement won awards and sales of the shampoo brand tripled. Instead of slowing down, Wardina become more popular than even before since adorning the hijab. [8] Many were curious on why she wanted to change her look and lifestyle? She found herself gracing magazine covers and received overwhelming response as well as offers which she never expected to happen.
She has found herself caught in between some controversial issues due to her speaking up particularly on her FB posts. She created a stir when questioning a religious leader, the treatment of disabled children [9] and the alleged sexual abuse incident in a religious school owned by a famous preacher [10]
She is seen as an icon and inspiration to many young women. [11] Wardina has been seen to be more silent since moving to Australia keeping her life more private, she has not been sharing posts or pictures nor opinions as often.
Wardina speaks fluent in English and Malay. She is psychology graduate from Griffith University, Australia. (B.A of Psychological Science). She also holds a diploma in Interior architecture. She is currently pursuing an honours thesis before furthering her studies to attain a Masters in Clinical Psychology.
She completed her primary and high school education in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
Wardina has been doing many TV appearances like hosting Maher Zain Show Case and anchoring Malaysia Hari Ini (2005–2011). Her previous TV hosting are Fitrah Kasih (2009), Ibu Mithali (2008), Menatang Si Manja – RTM (2008), [21] Edu TV – web portal for The Minister of Education (2008), Carta Nasyid Pilihan – TV9 (2008), Sambutan Malidur Rasul peringkat Kebangsaan (TV1), Hits from RIM – VJ, Pencarian Bintang RTM, Seri Laman (TV1), JOm Tukar!, Hijrah Remaja (Astro), Kisah-Kisah Anbia’ (TV3), Ramadhan World Delights 1 & 2, High 5 – JAKIM (TV1)
She has since retired from acting completely. Among previous dramas include: IMPIAN (Sunsilk) Musim 2 (2009), [22] Cinta Madinah Musim 1 & 2 (2006), Kalam Cinta Rabiah – TV3 (2007), Impian Illyana Musim 1,2 & 3 (2006–2007), “Children of Adam” VCD, Wardina & Keluarga Pak Tam VCD, Spanar Jaya (a leading sitcom in Malaysia that lasted for 8 seasons), [23] Kepulangan (Astro), Julia – a TV series based on the award-winning novel of the same name (Astro). Her telemovies are Sayangku Puteri – Telemovie (TV1), Maka Diciptakannya Perempuan – Telemovie (NTV 7), Jodoh 2 Beradik – Telemovie (TV3), Berakhirnya Sebuah Ramadhan – Telemovie (TV3) Wardina has appeared in movies, Lagi-Lagi Senario [24] and Cinta 200 Ella [25]