ACTRESS Nabila Huda has a word of advice for aspiring talents: stop chasing social media ‘likes’ and start seeking proper guidance to strengthen your acting skills.
With more than 25 years in the industry, Nabila cautioned newcomers against fixating on fame, stressing that recognition should come naturally as a result of genuine ability.
“It’s better to have talent without being famous than to be known for nothing at all. As an actress, I’d feel ashamed if my acting wasn’t polished enough. For me, there’s no harm in being humble — your spotlight will come on its own,” she said.
She admitted that today’s actors are fortunate to have social media as a platform to boost their visibility, but she warned that fast fame often comes with an equally fast downfall.
“When you rise too quickly, you fall just as fast,” noted the “Munafik” star, who won Best Actress at the 28th Malaysian Film Festival.
Nabila also pointed out that the pressure to constantly update social media feeds has become a burden for emerging talents. Many feel forced to build huge followings just to secure acting opportunities, as producers now look at online popularity as a deciding factor.
Still, she urged rising actors not to let early success get to their heads, even if they land lead roles or boast millions of followers.
“Please, stay grounded. Don’t be blinded by numbers. If your skills are not there yet, work on them. Attend acting classes, learn on set, and don’t be afraid to ask experienced actors for guidance. That’s what I did when I first started,” she shared.
Reflecting on her own career, Nabila revealed that she rarely works with newcomers, largely because she is selective with her projects and values efficiency on set.
“As a mother, I want to wrap up work early so I can spend time with my husband and child. I don’t want to waste hours on set if it turns into a makeshift acting school. It frustrates me, and honestly, it’ll only make me age faster. At this stage of my life, I just want peace and happiness,” she said with a laugh.
