BEFORE, BEYOND AND INTO THE LIMELIGHT

Meerqeen may be Malaysia's latest star and heartthrob, but there is more to him than just being a beloved celebrity. From constant rejections to a manifested miracle, he has taken his acting career to the next level with core values that keep him true to himself and to his adoring fans.

- ALISON LOH

IT WAS EIGHT IN THE MORNING WHEN I ARRIVED at the studio, thirty minutes ahead of schedule. As I entered the studio, lines of fashion clothing were already stacked and arranged neatly. The stylist was prepping the clothes, the photographer altering his equipment, the creative director going through his mood boards. Everyone was already at work.

As I put my things down, I saw a figure on the opposite side of the room. Sitting on a sofa with his head buried in his phone was Muhammad Shameer Shauqeen Shaiful Izam also known as Meerqeen - awake and quite lively during these early hours.

I've heard about the young actor before. With his unique name and distinctive features, it's easy to keep Meerqeen in mind. His presence on social media has had a strong showing in recent months. Swipe through your feed and you're bound to find his charming looks on your screen.

It's easy to look at Meerqeen and believe that he got his fame solely through his good looks. But that's only a tiny fraction that contributed to his success. The 22-year-old comes from a family of actors who'd no doubt exposed him to the craft.

“I fell in love with the world of acting when I was a kid and it’s thanks to my aunt. She’s an actor and singer. My grandfather was also an actor.” he shared. “So, in some ways, this passion for acting runs in my blood. One time I went to a set with my aunt, and I wondered how actors were able to memorise their lines and perform at the same time. It made me curious yet inspired and I told myself that I wanted to do this. I wanted to give acting a shot.”

Despite this familial exposure, his path to stardom would involve countless auditions and rejections from the age of 16.