Daily Inspiration: Meet Jasmine Suraya

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Suraya

Hi Jasmine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey into the film industry was somewhat unexpected. Before this, I was a business journalist in Sarawak, a jungle-covered Malaysian state in Borneo where opportunities for acting are non-existent. One day, my friend secretly entered me into a reality show that was similar to The Apprentice. When I got accepted, I packed my bags and moved to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia’s capital city) within a day, leaving my writing job behind. It was a whirlwind decision, but it felt like the right one.

Breaking into the Malaysian entertainment scene wasn’t easy. There aren’t established casting platforms like in the U.S., so I had to find my way through reality shows and hosting gigs. I hit a major hurdle when my father passed away. At the time, I was taking acting lessons at a local institute but had to drop out because I couldn’t afford to continue. That period was tough—I worked odd jobs to cover my living expenses. However, it taught me the value of money and the importance of being business-savvy in the entertainment industry, beyond just focusing on the arts.

I also worked at a film festival just to learn more about films and to get to know more people in the industry. It was there that I fell in love with cinema. Nonetheless, my acting break had not materialized and I somehow found myself hosting live football games in the stadiums for three years. Though it helped me build a name for myself, deep down, I’d always wanted to act.

My first acting opportunity came by chance. A potential manager I’d met introduced me to a production that needed a last-minute replacement for their supporting actress. The director took a risk on me, and thankfully, the series became a success. Later, I auditioned for Paskal the Movie, a military action film about Malaysia’s navy, where they were specifically looking for an actress from Borneo. That role became my breakthrough. The film turned out to be one of Malaysia’s highest-grossing movies of all time and even landed on Netflix US. It also earned me my first Best Actress nomination at the Malaysia International Film Festival in 2019.

After Paskal, I wanted to expand my brand beyond the sporty image I’d built. This led to collaborations with major brands like Dior, Fendi, Carolina Herrera. Eventually, I became the face of Dior Beauty Malaysia, Nespresso and Samsung, which was a huge milestone for me. After doing mainstream projects, I wanted to shift my focus to more challenging and transformative roles.

I once gained 33 pounds in a month to play Shalin Zulkifli, Malaysia’s world champion bowler. Another time, I portrayed a by-the-book detective in a crime drama set in a small village. The role earned me a Best Lead Actress nomination at the Asian TV Awards in 2024 and a Women of the Year: Women in Film recognition from Harper’s Bazaar Malaysia.

After years in the industry, I felt like I’d hit a ceiling. I wanted to explore more international opportunities and to start producing. That’s what brought me to LA. Many back home thought I was crazy for selling everything and giving up the career I had painstakingly built. But I knew that if I didn’t make this bold move now, I never would.

I’ve also always been curious about method acting and the nuances it brings to performances. Compared to the more expressive style common in Asian cinema, it offers a depth that I am keen to explore as an actor.

Being here is a huge leap for me, but it’s also the move that excites me. I’m ready to see where this path leads.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest personal challenges I’ve faced throughout my career has been maintaining self-confidence. Pursuing a career in the arts—a field that is subjective—often comes with moments of doubt and feelings of inadequacy. Coming from a minority background in Malaysia, those feelings were magnified at times, as I navigated stereotypes. The industry in Malaysia operates largely as a “who you know” game, which made breaking through and landing better roles a long journey.

Despite these challenges, I was fortunate to find supportive peers who opened doors for me and led to opportunities to play lead roles in Indonesia, South Korea, and Thailand. My earlier experience working at the ASEAN International Film Festival was equally transformative, broadening my understanding of cinema. The perspective has given me the privilege of serving as a jury member for prestigious competitions such as BMW Shorties, Malaysia’s longest-running short film competition, in 2023, and the Samsung x Malaysia International Film Festival in 2022. This year, I’m honored to serve as a jury member for the Malaysia International Film Festival.

Another major challenge is navigating an industry that can often feel fickle and superficial, where looks, numbers, and materialism frequently take precedence. However, I find hope in the rise of streaming platforms, which prioritize storytelling over mere star bankability. Nevertheless, I recognize that landing substantial roles will present its own set of challenges. While diversity has become a growing focus in entertainment, it often feels selective, with representation skewing more toward East Asian identities. There’s still limited visibility for indigenous communities and underrepresented cultures from around the world, which makes my journey even more significant—not just for myself, but for the voices I hope to represent on screen.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What do you do?
I’m an actress and have been acting for the last decade, working across Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.

What do you specialize in?
I specialize in acting.

What am I known for:
In Malaysia, where the entertainment industry is influenced by conservative Islamic values, many actresses avoid transformative or risqué roles. I’ve been one of the few to step into such roles, whether it meant cutting my hair into a boy cut, gaining or losing significant weight, or taking on challenging scenes.

For one role, I lost 22 pounds and trained intensively in yoga for three months—at my own expense—to portray a yoga teacher more authentically. The role also required me to perform suggested sexual scenes, which are rare in our local industry. Immediately after wrapping that project, I dived into a new role as a world champion bowler. To prepare, I cut all my hair, gained 33 pounds in a month, and trained rigorously to learn the bowler’s techniques and mannerisms. It was a physically and emotionally exhausting experience.

I’ve also played a hermaphrodite, where I immersed myself fully into the character by wearing men’s boxers, learning to ride a motorcycle, and even commuting to set on a bike to understand her socioeconomic background.

What are you most proud of?
I’m proud of turning my childhood dream into a reality. Initially, acting wasn’t something I actively pursued. In college, I auditioned for commercials but struggled with the process of dressing up and putting on makeup, often feeling like I didn’t fit the mold. When those auditions didn’t pan out, I turned to writing, hoping to build a career in broadcast journalism. However, a chance encounter with a reality show and my time working at a film festival sparked my love for cinema. Since then, I’ve been on a path that has taken me further than I ever imagined.

Despite moments of doubt—wondering if I was moving fast enough or achieving enough—each step has been worth it. Traveling to film festivals and seeing how far I’ve come reminds me that this journey is a privilege and a story worth sharing with my future kids.

What sets me apart from others:
What sets me apart is my willingness to take risks and step out of my comfort zone. While many actresses in my country choose to settle down in their 30s, I’ve chosen to pursue my career further. Many thought I was crazy to leave behind a career in Malaysia, sell everything I owned—including my business to start fresh in the U.S. with no guarantees of success.

My hope is to use the platform I build to advocate for more government support for the arts in Malaysia. If I can help elevate the film industry in my country and inspire others to chase their dreams, that would be the ultimate fulfilment of my journey.

How do you define success?
Success to me is multifaceted. In the immediate term, it’s earning the chance to collaborate with filmmakers and actors I’ve admired for years—people like the Coen brothers, Park Chan Wook, Robert Rodriguez, Tarantino or Frances McDormand, whose work has shaped my love for cinema. Being in the same country as these icons now feels surreal, but it’s also a reminder of the possibilities within reach.

Longer-term, success means inspiring young people in Malaysia and other smaller countries to pursue their dreams in film, no matter how distant or ambitious they may seem. It’s about proving that stories from underrepresented cultures have a place on the global stage.

Beyond personal achievements, I hope to advocate for more government support for the arts in Malaysia. Films can be powerful tools for putting a country on the global map—sparking international recognition and driving tourism. If I can contribute to that shift and help elevate our film industry to new heights, that would be the ultimate success for me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasmine_suraya/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasminesurayachin/
• Twitter: https://x.com/jasmine_suraya?lang=gu&mx=2
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jasmine_suraya_chin
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8256552/

Image Credits
Prestine Davekhaw
Saufi Nadzri
Azriff Reza