#SHOWBIZ: From rom-coms to event director: Bella Dowanna ready for heavy dramatic roles

KUALA LUMPUR: Actress Bella Dowanna, 23, is becoming more selective with her roles after starring in two romantic comedies consecutively. She wants to shift towards more demanding dramatic roles moving forward. Bella, whose full name is Qystinna Istajibilla Dowanna Halim, last played a heavy role in the 2020 movie M4m4.

Beyond her acting career, Bella has ventured into event management. Her passion for live music performances since 2022 led her to explore event organisation from scratch. She aims to bring international artists to Malaysia, having previously considered inviting BTS.

Organising concerts requires meticulous planning, including licence applications and venue booking. Bella balances her time between acting and event management, preparing for concerts at least six months in advance. Despite the challenges, she remains committed to her primary profession as an actress.

As the director of her event management firm, Beatus Live, Bella is proactive in avoiding previous controversies involving event organisers who defrauded celebrities. She learns from her experiences and strives to ensure such issues do not arise in her projects. Bella views negative feedback as a part of the creative industry, acknowledging that criticism is inevitable for anyone in the field.