Rising Star Qasrina Karim: On Serendipity, Resilience, and Her Journey to the Top

KUALA LUMPUR, El Sky News – Success in the entertainment industry often seems like a mix of hard work and perfect timing. For Malaysian actress and model Qasrina Karim, it was a blend of both, coupled with a resilient spirit that refused to back down when things got tough.

Starting as an English Language and Literature student at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Qasrina’s entry into the limelight was far from planned. Her journey began with a simple direct message (DM) on social media, leading her to become the face of a prominent hijab brand.

“Okey, awal mulanya sebenarnya secara luck sebab saya masih belajar di universiti. Dan saya dapat DM untuk pergi ke close casting untuk Alhumaira, modeling a hijab brand. Jadi saya pergi sajalah sebab masa tu pun tak ada experience, I thought why not, kalau tak dapat pun tak apa, nothing’s going to change.”

(Okay, it actually started with luck because I was still studying at university. I received a DM to go for a close casting for Alhumaira, a hijab modeling brand. So I just went for it because I didn’t have any experience then. I thought why not, if I don’t get it, nothing’s going to change.)

That “why not” attitude paid off. Not only did she land the campaign, but it also opened doors to the world of acting. She later received an email for a casting call that led to her debut in the film Kongsi Raya, which is now available for global audiences on Netflix.

However, the path wasn’t always smooth. Like many rising stars, Qasrina faced periods of intense self-doubt. When asked if she ever felt like giving up, she candidly shared:

“Oh ya, banyak kali. Sebenarnya, ya, the first few years bukanlah senang, especially in the acting world. Nak prove your worth untuk orang tengok cerita kita. Ya, it wasn’t easy. Banyak kali Qas rasa macam nak give up, especially bila tak banyak opportunities. Tapi I’m glad I didn’t. I’m glad I didn’t give up sebab Qas rasa selepas beberapa tahun, selepas beberapa projek yang best, baru Qas punya nama naik sedikit dari situ.”

(Oh yes, many times. Actually, yeah, the first few years weren’t easy, especially in the acting world. You have to prove your worth so people will watch your shows. Yeah, it wasn’t easy. Many times Qas felt like giving up, especially when there weren’t many opportunities. But I’m glad I didn’t. I’m glad I didn’t give up because Qas feels that after a few years and several great projects, Qas’s name finally started to rise from there.)

Today, Qasrina is a household name, known for her roles in popular series such as Imam Instant Ustazah Scammer and My Famous Ex-Boyfriend. Most recently, she starred as the lead heroine in Tariq Rizwan: His Treasure, a role that showcased her range as an actress dealing with complex emotional challenges.

Looking ahead, Qasrina’s schedule remains busy. She recently wrapped up a telemovie just two weeks ago and is preparing for a new drama project set to begin in January 2025. While she keeps the details under wraps, her growing filmography—including Legenda Puteri Qaseh and Senduduk Putih—suggests that her next venture will be another hit for her fans on platforms like Astro and Sooka.