ADAPTING TO ROYAL LIFESTYLE
Following her marriage to a royalty, actress Juliana Evans, who initially had a pretty hard time adjusting to an aristocratic life, has found her footing in the royal house, writes BIBI NURSHUHADA RAMLI
STILL in marital bliss, actress and television host Juliana Evans initially had trouble getting the hang of the royal lifestyle and its strict protocols.
For someone who has been free-spirited her whole life, it meant a drastic change in how things are done.
The 27-year-old artiste tied the knot to a member of the Johor and Selangor royalty, Tengku Shariffuddin Shah Tengku Sulaiman Shah Al-Hajj, 29, on April 30 in a private and intimate ceremony in Shah Alam, Selangor.
“Obviously our lifestyles are different,” said Juliana, laughing.
“I’ve always been an independent person, preferring to get things done on my own instead of relying on others.
“However, things are different now. I’ve been working on getting comfortable with the royal protocols. So, everything is good,” she said.
Juliana said her husband understood her as one who had always been self-sufficient.
“However, sometimes, certain things are beyond our control. I just have to go with the flow,” she said at the 30th Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian (ABPBH 3.0) at Putrajaya International Convention Centre recently.
The artiste with a Malay-English parentage attended ABPBH 3.0 to present an award. She was accompanied by her management, and a bodyguard.
Apparently, the celebrity goes around with a bodyguard nowadays for security reasons.
“But according to her management, Juliana tries not to have the bodyguard around her all the time.
“Sometimes, when my husband and I go on our date night, I wish that we are more like regular couples, where it’s just you and your partner.
“The bodyguards may not be right next to us but you kinda know that you are not alone,” said the Aliff Dalam 7 Dimensi star.
Still, Juliana is not allowing her new royal status and lifestyle change who she really is inside.
“I’m still the same Juliana. I just have to be mindful of how I present myself in public.
“All of these, of course, take some getting used to. It’s a learning curve for me,” she said.
Meanwhile, the couple, who have yet to enjoy their honeymoon, are preparing for their wedding reception, to be held after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“We are big on romantic destinations, like Santorini or the Maldives.”
On having children some time soon, the actress, whose real name is Juliana Sophie Johari Evans, said, “It all depends on rezeki, but there’s no rush. I want to enjoy being a wife to him.”
Juliana said Shariffuddin and her in-laws had been supportive of her career in showbiz.
Up next, she is down for a hosting gig in Singapore, followed by a campaign for soap brand Lux. Her film, Bella & Jamie, will premiere in October.
Juliana also plans to start a jewellery business.
“I’m calling it Jevans Jewellery and it is a dream that I’ve always wanted to realise for some time now. I’m also planning to take a short course in the United States next year. Maybe on musical theatre.”