Fazira binti Wan Chek, known professionally as Erra Fazira, is a Malaysian actress, singer, fashion model, TV Host, film producer, as well as former beauty queen. She rose to fame in the early/mid 1990s following her roles in Sembilu, Maria Mariana and Pasrah . She received critical acclaim and a Best Actress in a Leading Role trophy at Malaysia Film Festival twice for her portrayal of inspiring young sales girl and part time student "Nurul Ain" in "Soal Hati " and as "Nora", an old lady with dark past in the film Hingga Hujung Nyawa. She received another three Malaysia Film Festival's Best Actress award nomination for her performance in Soalnya Siapa? ""Who is it?", Persona Non Grata, and Anak "The Child" ''.
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 ethnic Malays. 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, the English Language Society and the Culture Club. She was also an active sports student back then and has represented herself and her school in Netball. She said that the learning and involvement she did in those clubs played an important role in her later career. Fazira attended several different schools including SM Puteri Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur.
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 place in Miss South East Asia 1992/1993.
Music career (1993–2007)
In 1994, after the release of her first feature film "Sembilu", Fazira released her eponymous self-titled EP under Polygram Records. She later records two albums with the label before leaving Polygram to join Sony Music. Her first studio album is Aku dan Dia with its hits single "Yang Terindah Hanyalah Sementara", and followed by 2.5 Sayang in 1996 with "Pertemuan" released as single. Three years later, in 1999, Fazira's fourth album and the first with Sony Music, Kini was released. Her 2001 single, "Sandarkan" along with Siti Nurhaliza’s song, "Lakaran Kehidupan" was chosen by TV3 as part of the network's 3D campaign. Music videos for both songs were filmed in 3D where TV3 viewers wearing 3D glasses while watching it. In 2002, her fifth album, Sampai Bertemu was released, followed by sixth album, Kini Kembali. In 2006, Fazira released her seventh and last studio album, Ya Atau Tidak.
Acting career (1994–present)
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 the following year, where Fazira reprised her role as Rosmawati Sofian. From 1996 until 2000, Fazira starred in four of Yusof's directed films including the portraying of Maria Zakaria in both Maria Mariana and its sequel Maria Mariana II. In the 2000 film Soal Hati, 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 began to work with many different directors for her films including Ahmad Idham for Mr. Cinderella and Abdul Razak Mohaideen for Cinta Kolestrol among others. In 2004, Fazira went on to star opposite her then former husband, Yusry bin Abdul Halim, in the 2004 film Hingga Hujung Nyawa, also directed by Abdul Razak. 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 telemovie and hosted the show, Fesyen Tempo. Since 2018, she became part of the cast member of longest-running Malaysian action drama series, Gerak Khas, playing the role of ASP Jeslina.
Personal life
Erra Fazira marries Malaysian singer and actor Yusry Abd Halim from KRU, on 15 June 2003 which is Yusry's 30th birthday. Their marriage was annulled on 16 June 2006. She later marries former Suria FMChief Operating Officer, Engku Emran Engku Zainal Abidin from 2007 to 2014, they have a daughter named Engku Aleesya.
