FUNNY GIRL

Celebrating her 20th year in local showbiz this year is veteran actor, presenter and content creator Nurul Aini. The sassy mother of three reflects on the challenges she’s had to overcome, and how she’s stayed true to herself no matter what.

- Audrey Ng

Her TikToks of trolling scammers by serenading or berating them have gone viral in the past few months – one has even reached over one million views. In these videos, local actor and TV presenter Nurul Aini shows off her fluent Mandarin skills as she plays along with the scammers, before throwing them off with her cheeky sense of humour. 

While these videos have attracted thousands of viewers, Nurul is not new to being in the limelight. She is a familiar face on local television, having acted in a number of dramas, including her most recognisable role as Durrani – a go-getting and ambitious career woman – on Channel 5’s Lion Mums, about three Singapore mothers who strive to give their children the best in life.

With years of experience under her belt, the warm and affable 40-year-old celebrates her 20th year in show business this year. “I realised just before this interview that it’s my 20th anniversary. So this [Her World] cover – my first one – means a lot to me,” she says.

For Nurul, it’s more than just a celebration of her career achievements. It is a step towards more representation for people of colour in the local entertainment industry. The Singapore-born actress – who is of Malay, Peranakan, Pakistani and Dutch descent, and speaks English, Mandarin and Malay – adds that she is glad to see more of minority races on TV today, including long form dramas on Channel 5 that feature more Malay and Indian families.