Bella Astillah says she wasn't looking for love before Syed Saddiq, prayed for happiness after being 'tired of feeling sad'

Malaysian actress and singer Bella Astillah, 32, revealed that she was not actively seeking a new partner before meeting her fiancé, Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. Bella, who was previously married, had been focusing on her career, her parents, and her children after dealing with difficulties in her previous marriage.

On a podcast with Indonesian preacher Oki Setiana Dewi, Bella stated that she was not looking for a relationship or planning for one. She explained that she had been preoccupied with earning money, making her parents happy, and spending time with her children.

During a difficult period, Bella sought comfort by turning to God and performing the umrah pilgrimage, but she made sure not to think about finding another partner. She shared that she had been praying for happiness and admitted to being tired of feeling sad and hurt. Bella and Syed Saddiq's strong bond was primarily due to his acceptance of her children and his respect for her parents and his own.

Bella emphasized that she did not want any lingering trauma from her past marriage to affect her new relationship. She emphasized that one should not carry their old wounds into another relationship, as they are ultimately their own responsibility. Bella described her relationship with Syed Saddiq as a second chance at happiness and expressed gratitude for having an understanding partner who prioritized her children. Despite fearing losing her newfound happiness, she hoped they could face future challenges together.

Bella and Syed Saddiq are set to marry on October 10 at Menara Merdeka Maybank, the tallest building in Malaysia. They grew close in 2025 and got engaged in March 2026.