Music may have introduced Azira Shafinaz to the world, but it’s her range that defines her. From De Fam’s chart-toppers to award-winning screen roles, she continues to challenge the limits of her craft. In BURO Malaysia’s August cover story, the star opens up about staying curious, pushing boundaries, and what lies ahead in her creative evolution.

“Can I take this look home? It feels just like me,” Azira Shafinaz asks, flashing a smile as she catches her reflection in the mirror, adjusting the lapel of her plaid suit from Onitsuka Tiger. We’ve just wrapped the shoot, but her energy hasn’t dipped—not even a little. She’s still switched on, still luminous, as if the camera never stopped rolling. The clothes don’t feel like a costume—they feel like a second skin.

It makes sense when you see her in it. We’re used to the graceful, feminine image she often brings into rooms, but this outfit draws something else to the surface. It doesn’t replace her softness—it sharpens it. Like light catching a different facet of the same gem, it reveals the edge beneath the polish. Still herself, just with the volume turned slightly up.

The contrast isn’t just in what she wears—it’s in how she moves through the world. With De Fam, the girl group she belongs to, she’s all velvet and volume. But on screen, she dissolves into complex characters, holding space for both strength and vulnerability. Whether she’s in sequins or checks, camera-ready or caught between takes, Azira never feels far from herself. She doesn’t perform her identity—she lives it.

STEPS TO SOUND

You know the song. ‘#SUPERGIRLS’ didn’t just introduce De Fam—it announced them. But for Azira, the journey began in a quieter place. Born and raised in Ampang, she found her way to music on her own. “No one in my family was into singing or performing,” she says. “I’m the only one.” She laughs, recalling her first time on stage at a college singing competition. “I didn’t win, but that moment made me realise I could sing. I actually had something.”

Long before the vocals, Azira was part of a dance crew. She met Sophia Liana and Cik Manggis through their dance crew Funky Fresh Family. What started with choreography evolved into harmony and eventually led to a signing with Tune Studios. The debut single turned them into overnight stars. ‘#SUPERGIRLS’ climbed local charts and racked up millions of views on YouTube. “It was overwhelming at first,” she admits. “As a dancer, I was used to being in the background. Suddenly, I was front and centre. Everyone had something to say.”

The spotlight doesn’t always come with a manual, but she learned to move with it. “I’ve learned to turn noise into motivation,” she says. “If I let it get to me, I’d never move forward.” It’s that mindset that has carried her since, and what followed wasn’t about chasing the limelight, but learning how to hold it.

More than a decade on, De Fam isn’t just surviving the local music scene—they’re shaping it. Through shifting trends and new waves of talent, they’ve managed to stay relevant without losing their sense of self. The secret to staying in the game? Knowing exactly who you are. “If you don’t have an identity, people will forget about you and you will become a one-hit wonder.”

That belief has guided the group from the start. “We’re not here to chase trends. We put out music we believe in. Our message has always been about women's empowerment, and that’s not changing anytime soon.” Their staying power shows in releases like ‘Alamak Raya Lagi!’ and ‘Anak Raja’—tracks from the past two years that continue to strike a chord with fans. It’s proof that authenticity endures, no matter how the soundscape shifts.

Azira didn’t just stumble into acting—she grew into it, long before the world knew her name. “Our home was often a backdrop for drama shoots when I was young, and I found that fascinating,” she recalls softly. That early exposure stirred something in her—a desire to step into the frame, not just watch from the sidelines. Bit by bit, through commercials and minor roles, she traced the contours of her craft, each experience adding another thread to her artistic tapestry.

The sting of criticism came early. On the set of her very first drama, Azira was met not with encouragement, but with a blunt assessment of her performance. “I was told I wasn’t good enough. It really shook me and made me question if this industry was right for me,” she shares.

The words stung, especially for someone prone to overthinking. But over time, feedback became a source of clarity. “Hearing others’ thoughts on my work gave me the confidence that I was on the right path,” she says. Years on, the tables have turned. That same person now praises her work. “It reminded me why I never stepped away—I had more to prove.”

THE ART OF BECOMING

To this day, Azira’s not shy about keeping her eyes open. “I’ve been doing this for twelve years, but I still learn something new on every job,” she says. Curiosity, not comfort, keeps her grounded. She credits much of her growth to simply watching others work—soaking in the quiet power of seasoned performers, learning from their timing, their instinct, their grace under pressure. Names like Sofea Jane, Nabila Huda and Umie Aida come up often. “Whenever I get the chance, I ask questions. I listen. Every director, every actor brings something different, and I try to absorb all of it.”

Juggling two creative lanes—music and acting—might seem like walking a tightrope, but for Azira, the balancing act is a beautifully choreographed, tightly executed dance. Two disciplines, two rhythms, woven into one soul. “It’s not difficult when you learn to move with the pulse of time,” she says, her tone calm but assured. The phrase could easily apply to her work ethic, her artistry, even the way she navigates shifting public attention. It’s a balancing act she’s learned to embrace.

To the untrained eye, the entertainment industry glitters with promise—fame, fortune, and the kind of visibility that can turn things around in no time. But behind the scenes, staying in the game takes more than talent, and success is rarely instant. It takes passion, and for Azira, that passion is what keeps her moving. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a singer or an actress,” she says. “If you don’t love what you’re doing, you won’t get anywhere. You’ll stay stuck.”

She’s lived that reality. Azira had shot Indera in 2021, but it was shelved due to lack of investors. “It only went to festivals at first,” she says. “But now it’s finally coming to cinemas.” Once a whisper on the circuit, the film seemed destined to linger in the shadows until it became a slow-burning triumph, culminating in her win for Best Supporting Actress at the 61st Asia Pacific Film Festival. It just took time and the right eyes on it.

THE LONG GAME

The accolades didn’t stop there. In 2023, Azira clinched Best Actress in a Comedy Role at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for Ijab Kabut—a career-defining moment that placed her in the company of Jihan Musa and Susan Lankester, making her the third Malaysian actress to take home the honour. “I never thought that role would lead to an award,” she says, still a little stunned by the recognition. “But it showed me that people were paying attention even to the roles people tend to underestimate.”

The win was more than just a trophy. It marked a turning point, drawing industry eyes and amplifying her artistic credibility. “It gave my career a real boost,” she says. “But it also came with pressure. Once you’ve been acknowledged at that level, people start expecting more. You can’t stay in one place and you have to evolve.”

Many roles have come knocking, but Azira is holding out for the one that truly sings to her soul. “I haven’t found a role that excites me yet,” she confides. The scripts keep coming, but she’s careful about what she takes on. For her, it’s no longer about adding credits or keeping busy—it’s about purpose. “I’m in a place where I want the character to mean something. It needs to speak to who I am and where I’m headed.”

It’s a stance that comes with experience. Earlier in her career, she might have taken on roles out of fear of being forgotten. Now, she sees the value in pausing. “When the right one comes along, I’ll be ready. And I’ll give it everything.” Spoken with soft confidence, it’s less of a statement and more of a quiet promise to herself.

“I want to get married,” Azira jokes when asked what’s next. Then she laughs, pauses, and offers the real answer: “Theatre. I’ve always wanted to try it.” It’s something she’s never done before, and that’s exactly the draw. After years in film and television, she’s ready to step into a space that strips everything back. No camera cuts. No second takes. Just her and the audience. “I think it would be such a powerful experience.”

But this is more than a creative itch. It’s about cementing a legacy. “I want people to remember me not just for who I am, but for what I’ve done,” she says, invoking the enduring brilliance of P. Ramlee and Saloma. There’s no bravado in her voice, only clarity. And if that means stepping into the unknown, so be it. As she sees it, evolution is not a luxury—it’s a responsibility.

NEXT IS NOW

While Malaysia will always be home, Azira has her sights set on a wider stage. “I want to take my work beyond Malaysia,” she says. “I want to expand my career overseas, especially within the region.” After years of building credibility at home, she’s ready to explore what else is out there. Her ambition isn’t loud but it’s unmistakable. This next chapter, whatever it looks like, won’t be an escape. It’ll be an extension.

She’s not walking away from what she’s already built either. De Fam is still very much in the picture. “We’re hoping to release a mini album,” she shares. “And if it works out, a showcase would be amazing.” Even as solo opportunities come her way, she makes space for the collective. Her loyalty to the group isn’t nostalgia—it’s a reflection of how she moves. She honours what built her while making space for who she’s becoming. After all, duality isn’t a contradiction. It’s her strength.