Auddra Zulkifli Says Learning About Fellow Artists Is Essential to Building a Career in Entertainment
KUALA LUMPUR: Actress and singer Auddra Zulkifli believes that getting to know fellow artists is an essential part of building a successful career in the entertainment industry, admitting that she has made a conscious effort to learn more about Malaysia’s entertainment figures since becoming an artist herself.
The entertainer, who is also known as Oddah and is the daughter of actress and television personality Sharifah Shahira, said she did not know many local celebrities by name before entering the industry despite growing up in a family closely associated with Malaysian show business.
Speaking at the media launch of the Hotlink Geng Bijak Berbajet travelogue series, Auddra explained that she often recognised familiar faces but struggled to remember their names, prompting her to seek guidance from her mother and manager before attending filming sessions.
She likened the experience to attending school, saying she constantly had to “study” the people she would be working with so that she could better understand the industry and avoid awkward situations on set.
According to Auddra, her mother would regularly brief her before every production, introducing the actors she would be working alongside and sharing background information about their careers.
She said those preparations helped her feel more confident and ensured she approached every project with respect for her fellow performers.
Auddra added that she makes it a point to ask questions whenever she does not recognise someone rather than pretending to know them, saying she believes there is nothing wrong with admitting a lack of knowledge if it creates an opportunity to learn.
She acknowledged that working in the entertainment industry requires artists to build professional relationships with colleagues, making it important to know who they are and appreciate their contributions to the field.
Reflecting on her interests before joining the entertainment industry, Auddra said she was previously more familiar with Hollywood actors than local performers.
Among Malaysian celebrities, she revealed that actress Sharifah Sakinah—her aunt—was the only performer she truly admired, praising her distinctive acting style and confident on-screen personality.
Although she admitted she did not know every local actor by name, Auddra said she was generally more familiar with Malaysian singers.
The actress also shared that she only became personally acquainted with actor Kamal Adli while filming the Hotlink Geng Bijak Berbajet travelogue.
She said she had previously heard his name because her mother often complimented his good looks, but only later realised he had worked with Sharifah Sakinah after conducting her own research.
Auddra described herself as naturally shy and said she continues to introduce herself to fellow artists even when they already know who she is.
She believes humility, discipline and good manners are values that should never be compromised regardless of an individual’s level of fame or experience in the entertainment industry.
The Hotlink Geng Bijak Berbajet travelogue, hosted by Kamal Adli, will take viewers on journeys across six Malaysian states while highlighting travel experiences designed to help consumers explore destinations more affordably.
The programme also features a line-up of local celebrities including Hael Husaini, Nabila Razali, Siti Saleha, Zaki Yamani, Izzue Islam and Ain Edruce.
