DEBBIE’S FAVES
SCRIBE: Cecilia Ahern BOOK: P.S. I Love You
DIVA: Beyoncé SONG: “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera MOVIE: Irréversible GADGET: iPhone FOOD: Japanese DRINK: Red wine DESIGNER: Karl Lagerfeld, of course MAKE-UP: Eyeliner is a must. Also, Nars base and highlighter, Tom Ford lipstick, and Giorgio Armani
foundation. ESCAPE: Santorini POLITICIAN: Barack Obama BLISS OUT: A good detox spa and massage SIGNATURE LOOK:
White shirt and jeans
Coming home turned out to be the best decision for her. “I’m happier and my life is more balanced. When I was away, I missed my family and friends. I was lucky to have such chances but I’ve established myself here now and feel I’m more stable.”
Ironically, the devoted daughter is tired of playing the girlnext-door and craves something more creative. “I would prefer to be more like Catwoman.” Her eyes light up at the thought. “I can go crazy, killing people; you know, mentally unstable.”
This desire to explore her darker side stems from her fear of getting stuck in a rut. “It can happen easily. You get similar opportunities but how are you going to maintain the creative side?” she asks. “It’s time for me to change, try different things. I don’t have any limitations in terms of roles.”
She was particularly inspired by Charlize Theron’s Oscarwinning transformation in Monster, (“She’s wonderful. She can play any role!”) and would jump at the chance to portray a character as frightening as Theron’s Aileen Wuornos. “I wouldn’t mind playing a role for which I would have to make myself ugly. That’s the best part of being an actress. You can be creative, do anything you like. You only live once. I love acting, just observing different people and having the chance to use that experience.”
For the BAZAAR shoot, she readily welcomed the aesthetic so different from her usual womanly style, happily donning a cropped wig and boxier silhouettes. “It’s such an honour to be on the cover,” says Debbie. “And I love how Kenneth’s excellent styling has brought out this side of my personality that’s never been seen before.”
She recently filmed her first Malaysian movie, Bullets Over Petaling Street with Chen Hanwei, Steve Yap, and Irene Ang. “It will be out next Chinese New Year. I play an actress who ends up as the boss of gangsters. One minute you’re in a Lamborghini with a Chanel bag, and the next you’re in Petaling Street wondering ‘ how can you get the same Chanel for only RM150?’”
Luxury aside, the workaholic does not see herself as “one of those tai tais who just relax” and is a firm believer in being independent. “I once planned to travel for two months. Two weeks in, I had to go back; I couldn’t stop thinking about work.” She has considered broadening her horizon as a director or producer, and has in fact been approached with an offer. She intends to first sharpen her skills in New York. “I’ve never learned in an acting class. I wish there were better opportunities for our artists to grow.”
There are more changes she would love to see in the Malaysian entertainment industry, especially in terms of censorship, budget allocation, and project management. “I hope someday Malaysian actors will be internationally recognised. I want to see a star who can take us to another level, and make us proud.”
There is no doubt that the passionate persona has what it takes to be that star. Now in her mid 30s, Debbie has embraced her prime and the wisdom that comes with it. “You have your own way of thinking. You know what you want in your life. Looking back, I may have been too carefree at times. I was spoiled with opportunities and I didn’t care; I just did things my own way. It was nice but at some point, you have to learn the rules of the game. Of course, it’s not enough to learn the rules – you have to play the game.”