#SHOWBIZ: Meerqeen: Driven by dreams, anchored by family
BEFORE he became a household name in Southeast Asia, Meerqeen was just an Ampang boy dreaming of becoming a zoologist.
Born in Ampang, Malaysia, Meerqeen (Muhammad Shameer Shauqeen Shaiful Izam) once harboured dreams of becoming a zoologist. However, his path to fame was far from conventional. At 25, he is now a prominent Malaysian actor, model, and fashion icon, admired across Southeast Asia and beyond.
Meriqueen's journey began at the Hero Remaja 2019/2020 talent competition, where he secured third place. His rise was organic, driven by seizing opportunities rather than a singular breakthrough. The pivotal moment came when he starred alongside Anna Jobling in the hit romantic drama "Melur Untuk Firdaus." His portrayal of the character Firdaus Iskandar transformed him into a heartthrob across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
A cornerstone of Meriqueen's success is his goal-oriented mindset, shaped by his mother's influence. Suraida Yacob, a unit trust consultancy leader, instilled in her son the importance of setting and pursuing targets. Meerqeen writes down his ambitions, even the seemingly absurd ones, viewing them as motivators. When he initially dismissed his mother's "goal board" concept, he later saw its power firsthand as people achieved their written targets.
This relentless drive has led Meriqueen to diversify beyond romantic leads. He has ventured into comedy, secured high-fashion partnerships with luxury brands like YSL Beauty and Tiffany & Co, and expanded his presence through Indonesian web series. He credits his family as his anchor, operating by a simple mantra: "If it's easy, it's worthless." This philosophy keeps him grounded as he continues to aim for the world stage.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
