Triple threat? Make that a quintuple threat.
She acts, she sings, she directs, she runs an award-winning business, and she’s even nurturing the next generation of Malaysian artistes.
From iconic and multi-talented artiste to award-winning producer and director to a visionary entrepreneur who’s dedicated to crafting unique experiences for people, Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina has done it all – and she’s done it with heart and great aplomb.
As a performer, she’s captivated audiences from the television screen, the silver screen and even the stage, flitting between roles and mediums with a ease.
Tiara’s acting debut came in 1988 – and her hard work saw her winning her first Best Actress Award at the 1995 Malaysian Film Festival for her role as Meera in Ringgit Kasorrga, a social drama that delves into a sex scandal involving a politician and young models.
She tried her hand at producing, with the 2004 film Puteri Gunung Ledang, which she also stars in as the lead actress – winning praise for her outstanding work both on and behind the camera.
The movie was the first Malaysian film to be shortlisted for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards and to premiere at the Venice Film Festival. It also won her Best Actress and Best Producer in the 2005 Asia Pacific Film Festival and the Malaysian PPFM Oscars 2005. She later brought it back as a musical, showing off her chops on stage as well and launching a successful theatre career on the back of it.
The legendary performer would then turn her sights on nurturing the future generation of performing arts practitioners. She founded Enfiniti Academy, which provides, among other things, acting and dance courses, and lessons on the performing arts business. And through the Academy, she also took on some critically-acclaimed projects, including OlaBola: The Musical – which would be her directorial debut in 2018 – and Mud The Musical.
This talented entertainer also took on a new journey in 2018: entrepreneurship. She’s the mastermind behind Tiarasa Escapes, a glamping resort in Janda Baik, Pahang and Dream Forest Langkawi, a theme park offering an immersive night walk with multi-sensory technology to reimage the mythical tales of Langkawi.
And she’s proven to have just as good a nose for business as she does at the performing arts.
Recently, Dream Forest won Best Outdoor Immersive Experience and Tiarasa Escapes won Best Luxury Glamping Experience from the Tourism Industry Award 2024. Tiara, 56, also received the SEBA Award for “Immersive Experiences Entrepreneur of the Year” award 2024.
Q&A with Tiara Jacquelina, Actress, director, producer, entrepreneur and Founder of Enfiniti Academy
Looking back, how and when did you develop your passion for the arts, and subsequently in acting?
I’ve always been drawn to the arts from a very young age. My passion for acting ignited during my school days when I participated in school plays and performances. I was so fortunate that my school, St. Mary’s KL, understood the importance of developing well-rounded girls who were not just academic achievers but sporty, confident, and creative as well. This passion only grew stronger as I pursued it professionally, leading to a fulfilling career in acting and beyond.
You were the star and Executive Producer of the highly acclaimed Puteri Gunung Ledang the movie and subsequently the musical. What were some of the great memories you had?
Playing the role of Puteri Gunung Ledang was a monumental experience. The movie and the musical allowed me to immerse myself deeply in the rich culture of the Nusantara region, which was incredibly enriching. Bringing such a beloved story to life was truly a highlight of my career. However, what excited me most was being its Executive Producer. I started the project with the vision of this movie being Malaysia’s calling card to the world. It used to irk me to think how other countries with limited funding resources, strict censorship, where films are made in languages that aren’t widely spoken internationally like in Iran, for instance – were able to make internationally acclaimed movies, yet we couldn’t. Together with director Saw Teong Hin, we targeted to make a film of international quality, launch our film internationally at the Venice Film Festival and then worked hard to submit Puteri Gunung Ledang as Malaysia’s first-ever entry to the Academy Awards.
You have been an actor, a director, and producer, and an entrepreneur. How did you diversify and transform your roles, and which do you think is most fitting for you?
Diversifying my roles came naturally as I sought to explore different facets of storytelling. Each role—actor, director, producer, entrepreneur—has allowed me to express my creativity in unique ways. While I cherish all these roles, I must admit that I enjoy being an entrepreneur the most as I’m in the driver’s seat. It allows me to create and manage projects from inception to execution, blending creativity with strategic business thinking.
Congratulations on winning the “Immersive Experiences Entrepreneur of the Year” award 2024. Dream Forest also recently won Best Outdoor Immersive Experience and Tiarasa Escapes won Best Luxury Glamping Experience at the Tourism Industry Awards 2024. What inspired you to create immersive experiences for the tourism industry, and what do you think sets your immersive experience apart from others?
The inspiration behind creating immersive experiences comes from my love for storytelling, nature, and cutting-edge technology! I wanted to go beyond traditional forms of entertainment and create worlds where people could step into the narrative themselves. Coming from a background in making films and stage musicals, I place a lot of emphasis on the sensorial and emotional experience for the audience, transporting the audience into a different realm, leaving the outside world once they pass through our giant book “portal.” These magical, unforgettable moments have resulted in us winning our THIRD award in our first year of opening!
As for Tiarasa Escapes, the inspiration came from a desire to reconnect people with nature while providing them with a luxurious experience. I wanted to create a place where guests could unwind and be surrounded by the beauty of nature without sacrificing comfort. What sets Tiarasa Escapes apart is also our focus on creating a personalized and intimate experience for each guest. It was a big challenge introducing the concept of “Glamping” to Malaysians, but I was relentless and pushed hard for Malaysians to try staying in a tent for a change. And now when people think about Glamping, they think of Tiarasa Escapes!
You have been described as a female entrepreneur with a unique leadership style. Can you elaborate on your leadership style, and how has your leadership style contributed to the success of your projects?
My leadership style is a blend of bold, visionary thinking and hands-on involvement. I believe in leading by example, inspiring my team to push boundaries and think creatively. Collaboration is key, and I respect and value the input and ideas of every team member. This inclusive and empowering approach has been crucial in bringing our projects to life and making every member feel a sense of ownership towards the project. To ensure every project exceeds the kind of high expectations people always have for a Tiara or Enfiniti project, I focus on meticulous planning, innovative thinking, and attention to detail. Constantly engaging with my team and incorporating feedback helps us refine and perfect each experience.
How did Enfiniti Academy come about? What motivated you to start the academy, and how has the journey been?
Enfiniti Academy was born out of a desire to nurture and develop local talent in the performing arts. I wanted to create a platform where aspiring artists could receive quality training and mentorship so we could contribute to the growth of the arts community in Malaysia. In 2009 we introduced a unique Drama-based program for corporate team building called PLAY! This has been so successful for us that Enfinit Academy now focuses most of their time on corporate training. Again, it was a challenge to convince corporate participants to try our method of actively playing a part in the narrative, not just passively listening to a speaker and taking notes. Our past clients like Petronas, Coca-Cola, Maybank, Shell, Khazanah, TM and Amazon have given us such encouraging feedback on this unique interactive approach to team building.
In your opinion, how far have Malaysian women entrepreneurs come from a generation ago, and what are some of the challenges women entrepreneurs face in Malaysia?
Malaysian women entrepreneurs have made significant strides over the past generation. There is greater representation and recognition today compared to ten years ago.However, challenges remain, including access to funding, balancing family responsibilities, and overcoming traditional gender biases. Despite these challenges, Malaysian women continue to break barriers and achieve remarkable success in various industries.
You are known for inspiring young female entrepreneurs. What advice do you have for women looking to make their mark in the business world, especially in the creative industries?
My advice to young female entrepreneurs is to stay true to their vision and never be afraid to take risks. Embrace your unique strengths and use them to your advantage. Surround yourself with supportive mentors and networks, and always believe in your capabilities. Persistence and resilience are key—keep pushing forward, and you will make your mark.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the future, and are there any upcoming projects or initiatives you are excited about?
I aspire to continue pushing the boundaries of immersive experiences through Dream Forest and expanding the Tiarasa Resorts brand to other parts of Malaysia. We have several exciting projects in the pipeline – we are in talks with several state governments to bring Dream Forest and Tiarasa Escapes there. Expansion and growth for these two brands will be my main focus, over the next few years.
Finally, what would you tell your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to embrace every challenge and trust the journey. Stay fearless, keep dreaming big, and never lose sight of your passion. Every experience, no matter how challenging, is a valuable lesson that will shape you into the person you’re meant to be. And most importantly, enjoy the ride!
