Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor[1] (born 10 February 1989) is a Malaysian actress, television presenter, commercial model and entrepreneur. She rose to fame when participated in a drama queen competition, Dewi Remaja, winning the Dewi Remaja 2009/10 title organised by the Malaysian teen magazine, Remaja. She received her Bachelor International Trade and Marketing education at Sunway University College.[2] Neelofa was named amongst 'Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia' in 2017.[3] Beyond her entertainment career, she has been involved in multiple business ventures and launched Naelofar Hijab.[2]

Neelofa
نيلوفر
Neelofa in 2016
Born
Noor Neelofa binti Mohd Noor

(1989-02-10) February 10, 1989 (age 35)
EducationBachelor of International Trade and Marketing
Alma mater
Occupation(s)Celebrity, TV Host, Commercial model, Businessperson
Years active2009–present
Known forDewi Remaja
Height157 cm (5 ft 2 in)
Spouse
Haris Ismail
(m. 2021)
Children2
Parents
  • Mohd Noor (Father)
  • Datin Noor Kartini Noor Mohamed (Mother)
  • Dato' Abdul Halim Khan Lall Khan (Stepfather)
Family
  • Noor Sara Dinna
  • Noor Nabila
  • Noor Nellisa
  • Mohd Aqief
  • Putri Nur Athira
  • Nur Athisha
  • Nur Ameera
  • Mohamed Faliq
  • Mohamed Firdaus

Early life

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Neelofa was born in Pasir Mas, Kelantan and is of Persian, Pakistani and Malay descent.[4]

Neelofa studied in Maktab Rendah Sains MARA Langkawi, and achieved excellent results. After graduating, she studied and took A Levels (June 2007 – June 2009) for two years at KDU University College. Her dream was to further her studies in the United States of America, but her family did not approve of her decision. Neelofa then pursued her studies at Sunway University in Bachelor of International Business & Marketing.

Entertainment career

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Neelofa on MeleTop (2014)

Neelofa is a winner in Dewi Remaja (Miss Teen Malaysia) 2009/2010.[5] She appeared in Kau Yang Terindah as Alisya and is a host of the television programs MeleTOP and Nona.

In 2014, she took acting classes at the New York Film Academy. Alongside Nabil Ahmad, Neelofa was also a host for a Malaysian television programme, MeleTOP aired on Astro Ria. She announced on the series that she was resigning as the host in December 2019 after seven years.[6]

Positive reviews of her were given in the press and from the public for her acting in Lukisan Takdir and Wan Embong.[7][8]

Personal life

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Neelofa's grandfather, Noor Mohamed Mohammad Din died on 20 November 2018 at the age of 83, but his cause of death is unknown.[9] She is a cousin of celebrity chef, Adam Didam who died on 19 May 2019 due to lung infection.[10] On 15 October 2020, Neelofa decided to wear niqab.[11][12][13]

On 27 March 2021, she married televangelist and actor, Haris Ismail who is six years of her junior.[14] Their first child, a son called Muhammad Bilal, was born on 29 January 2022.[15][16] Their second child, a son called Abdullah Abbas, was born on 11 July 2023.[17][18][19]

Discography

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Single

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Year Title Notes
2023
"Jodoh Ajal Rezeki"
with Faizal Tahir & Haris Ismail

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2012 Azura Azura Debut film appearances
SAM: Saya Amat Mencintaimu Zura
Hantu Kapcai Khadijah
2013 Lemak Kampung Santan Tiqa
2014 Faithful Sayang Short film
Dollah Superstar Farra
2015 Pilot Cafe Sharmila

TV series

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Year Title Role TV channel
2011 Kasih Najihah Najihah TV9
Sumpah Anjasmoro Wardina TV3
Jiwa Dan Lara Lara
Kitab Cinta Mila TV Alhijrah
Tahajjud Cinta Suraya TV3
2012 Kau Yang Terindah Alisya
Amukan Pocong Emma
Syahadat Cinta Zainab TV Alhijrah
2013 Karoot Komedia X (Season 2) Nurse Astro Warna
2016 Suri Hati Mr. Pilot Warda Erina Astro Ria
2017 Red Velvet Helena
2018 Ti Amo, Sweetheart 100 Hari! Malissa

Telemovie

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Year Title Role TV channel
2011 Jemmah Kolesterol Dr. Najihah TV3
Pusing Beraya Mariana
Korban Tak Jadi Mariana
2012 Ijam Non Yankee Lin
Dibah Lori Dibah
Nyanyian Sakaratul Maut Nurain
Janji Jujur Sepi Dhea TV9
Tersalah Cinta Cinta TV3
Cahaya Insaniah Nora TVi
2015 Lukisan Takdir Rita Anna TV3
Wan Embong Wan Embong
2017 Suri Hati Mr Pilot Raya Warda Erina Astro Ria
2020 6 Hari Linda Astro Citra

Host

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Year Title TV channel Notes
2011 Sekolahku Hebat Astro Ceria
2012 Paparazzi KRU TV
Anugerah Skrin TV3 with Awal Ashaari
2012–2014 Nona with Fara Fauzana
2012–2019 MeleTOP Astro Ria with Nabil Ahmad
2013 Dapur Panas TV3
2014 MeleTOP Era Awards Astro Ria with Nabil Ahmad and AC Mizal
HLive! Launching Ceremony with Nabil Ahmad and Aznil Nawawi
2015 MeleTop Era Awards
NeelofaTV YouTube
2016 MeleTop Era Awards Astro Ria
#ilofayou YouTube
2020 Next To Neelofa Astro Ria
2021 N to N with Nabil Ahmad
2022 Next To Neelofa 2
2024 Next To Neelofa Raya

TV appearance

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Year Title Notes TV channel
2016 Yeke? Guest, Episode: "Princes and Princesses" TV3
Melodi Raya 2016 Guest
Motif Viral Episode:? Astro Ria
Le'PakNil Episode:6
Astro Ceria Popstar Raya 2016 Guest Host Astro Ceria
Hlive Exclusive with Neelofa Guest Astro Ria
Akademi Fantasia 2016 Final Guest With Suri Hati Mr.Pilot Cast
Gegar Vaganza (Season 3) Week ke-2-Guest
Akak-Akak Sangat Ep: ?? Guest With Fattah Amin & Michael Ang Astro Prima
HLive Special Suri Hati Mr. Pilot Guest with Fattah Amin Astro Ria
Motif Viral Episode: "Suri Hati Mr. Pilot"
Taste Selebriti Episode: "Kelantan" Astro Mustika HD
Inspirasi Hlive Episode: "Neelofa" Astro Ria
Alhamdulillah Episode: TV Alhijrah
Imbasan Dr Muhaya Episode:
2017 Maharaja Lawak Mega 2017 Judge Astro Warna
2022 Nona Guest host with Amyra Rosli TV3
Wanita Hari Ini Episode: "Transisi Kehidupan"
Sembang Viral (Season 2) Episode: "Kesan Hentaman Netizen" TV9

Theatre

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Year Title Role
2014 Bahayanya Wanita Thai Girl

Music video appearance

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Year Song title Singer
2010 "Ku Bukan Aku" Tilu
"Fragile" Seven Collar T-Shirt
2011 "Janji" Akim Ahmad
2013 "Bila Aku Jatuh Cinta"[20] Awi Rafael
2015 "Untuk Cinta" Hafiz Suip (with Adira)

Bibliography

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Year Title Notes
2016 The Chic Codes Book launch debut[21]

Business ventures

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Outside of showbiz career, Neelofa also involved in several business ventures including contact lens brand Lofalens,[22] health care products Beautea Slim pills, and Muslim women's clothing brand Naelofar Hijab, which is sold through online and retail stores in Selangor and distributors across Malaysia and Singapore.

Influencer

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With more than eight million followers on Instagram, Naelofar has become a fashion icon for many Muslim women who wear the hijab, or 'tudung' as it is referred to in the region of Malaysia and Singapore. She has fronted campaigns for Dior, Lancome and Swarovski, representing modest fashion at shows in New York, Milan and Paris Fashion Week.[23]

She became the first Malaysian to win the 2019 Influencer Awards at Monaco under the Entrepreneur category on 7 October 2019.[24] Each nomination was chosen by a jury, with the nominations coming from all over the world.

On 8 December 2017, AirAsia appointed Neelofa as its new non-executive independent director. Tony Fernandes, the AirAsia Group chief executive officer described Neelofa as "super smart, young and independent".[25] She resigned as director on 19 August 2020 due to "her other personal commitments”.[26]

On 18 December 2020, she received the Business Icon Award during Nona Superwoman Award 2020 presentation by the women's magazine Nona.[27][28]

Naelofar Hijab

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Neelofa founded and helmed NH Prima Sdn Bhd as its director since 2014.[29] Her hijab brand, "Naelofar Hijab" is sold in more than 37 countries including Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Australia, UAE, United Kingdom and Europe.[29]

In June 2017, the brand took on new heights when it collaborated with AirAsia to design hijab for female pilots of AirAsia and AirAsia X.[30]

In conjunction with her birthday celebration in 2018, Neelofa launched a turban range, “Be Lofa Turban” at Zouk KL.[1] The new turban line was sold out in less than 24 hours after launching. However, she received backlash from Internet commentators for holding her product launch in the nightclub . On 1 March 2018, she has issued a public statement of apology saying "I would like to sincerely apologise for causing stress and negative sentiments on the selection of the venue."[31]

In 2019, she has partnered with Starbucks to produce the Starbucks x Naelofar exclusive collection which retailed only at Starbucks.[32] Within five years, she has sold more than 10 million hijabs.[33]

Nilofa Group

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In December 2019, Neelofa introduced the Nilofa brand with the banana milk as its first product, to the Malaysian market under the Nilofa Group name. An advertisement of the product claimed that the milk would have benefits such as reducing obesity, lowering high blood pressure, increasing metabolism rate and removing toxins from the body.[34] UK-based general surgeon Dr Nur Amalina Che Bakri used Twitter to call out these claims false advertising.[35]

Neelofa's response was that the advertising was published by the marketing agency without her company's approval. She kept her team small and had outsourced the marketing. The controversy led Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) to visit the factory to investigate the processes of the milk product behind the claims. MOH found no major issues with the packaging but gave some recommendations concerning packaging the product to clearly communicate the product as a banana milk.[36]

In 2020, Chatime collaboration with Neelofa to launch their new menu Nilofa Dalgonana. The drink are made from her own banana milk.[37] In March 31, 2021 Neelofa and her husband PU Riz get caught by travelling to Langkawi for honeymoon but she denied it because she travelling to Langkawi for a business trip not for honeymoon. She says, she and her husband will attend for launch a new branch Chatime at Langkawi.

The Noor

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In 2021, her launch her own Islamic content mobile application called The Noor.[38] Beside that Noor collaboration with Fipper.

Endorsements

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Year(s) Product Notes
2011 Nokia Mobile Phones
Silkygirl Cosmetic
Fair & Lovely Cosmetic
F&N Fruit Tree Soft Drinks Brand
2012 Avon Cosmetic
King Koil Mattress
U2 Watch Watch
FashionValet Fashion
Suzuki Swift[39] Car Brand
2013 LINE[40] Chat Apps
2014 Airish Miracle Cosmetic
2015 Lancôme La Nuit Tresor Perfume
Heaven & Earth[41]
PLUS Apps
2016–present Neelofa Perfume Perfume
Swarovski Jewelry
Bank Rakyat Bank Rakyat Muslimah Card
2017 Titan Jewelry Jewelry
Oppo r6 Mobile Phone
Tn50 Youth and Inspirational
Putrajaya Holdings[42] Property Investment
Lancôme Cosmetics Cosmetics
yes4g Mobile Internet
Awesome MaMa Instant Noodles
Chew n Glow Health Supplement Product
2020 Chatime Drinks
2021 Fipper Slip On

Philanthropy and endorsement

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In April 2012, Neelofa alongside Nazim Othman, Fizo Omar, Zoey Rahman, Intan Ladyana and Aiman Hakim Ridza was appointed as the Young Biz Icons for Oxford Centre of Excellence (Oxcell). According to Oxcell, "The appointment of six icons was based on academic success and career development in the arts". Through this program, the celebrity icons will share their experiences throughout involved in the world of business and the arts.[43]

In July 2013, the Malaysian private, free-to-air television channel, TV3 appointed Neelofa along with Adi Putra, Nora Danish, Fiza Sabjahan, Amar Asyraf, Nelydia Senrose, Tasha Shilla and Aiman Hakim Ridza as the ambassador for Anugerah Syawal 2013. According to TV3 "The appointment of these celebrities is to promote programs on television and radio throughout the month of Shawwal."[44][45][46]

Controversies

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During the wedding ceremony between Neelofa and PU Riz on March 27, 2021, the pictures of the audience sitting close and violating the standard operating procedure (SOP) for controlling COVID-19 infection became contagious and received criticism from the people of the country in general.[47][48] This caught the attention of the police who opened an investigation paper on the violation under Section 21A of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), and called on the organizers, hotel owners and family members involved to assist in the investigation.[49] Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri who was also present and gave a speech at their wedding ceremony declined to comment further on the collision.[50]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2010 / 2011 Dewi Remaja 1st Place Winner Won
2012 Stail EH! Award New Choices Celebrity Nominated
Sexiest Female Celebrity Nominated
25th Bintang Popular Berita Harian Awards Most Popular Female New Artist Nominated
16th Skrin Awards Pantene Shine Award Nominated
2013 26th Bintang Popular Berita Harian Award Most Popular Film Actress Nominated
Most Popular TV Actress Nominated
Most Popular Female TV Host Nominated
4th Shout! Awards Favourite TV Personality Award Nominated
2nd Blockbuster Award Best New Female Performance Award Hantu Kapcai Won
Best Female Performance Award Azura Nominated
25th Malaysian Film Festival Best New Actress Nominated
1st Melodi Awards Sensational Celebrity Nominated
2014 27th Bintang Popular Berita Harian Award Most Popular TV Actress Nominated
Most Popular Female TV Host Won
Stail EH! Awards Sexiest Women Celebrity Nominated
2015 2nd MeleTOP Era Awards Most Popular TV Host MeleTop Nominated
28th Bintang Popular Berita Harian Award Most Popular Female TV Host Won
Most Popular Film Actress Nominated
Stailo Female Artist Nominated
19th Skrin Awards Best Supporting Actress Pilot Cafe Nominated
Shining Star Award Won
2016 3rd MeleTOP Era Awards Fashion MeleTOP[51] Nominated
MATRADE Outstanding Achievement Awards Outstanding Achievement Award Naelofar Hijab Won
1st Online Choice Awards[52] Online Choice Young Entrepreneur Won
Online Choice Fashion Icon Nominated
29th Bintang Popular Berita Harian Award Most Popular Film Actress Nominated
Most Popular TV Host Won
Most Popular Artiste Won
MATRADE Malaysian Export Aspiration Export Celebrity Award Naelofar Hijab Won
Tribute to Women Malaysia Business Awards Won
3rd Melodi Awards Melodi Hosting Personality Won
2017 InTrend Gala Night 2017[53] Most Charming Celebrity Herself Won
Inspiring Woman Herself Won
Iconic Role Model Herself Won
2019 Influencer Awards Monaco 2019 Entrepreneur N/A Won

References

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  1. ^ a b "Neelofa's turbans sold out after nightclub launch". Malay Mail. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Neelofa: Celebrity Entrepreneur Of The Year; Warga Biz". 23 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  3. ^ Rana Wehbe. "30 Under 30 Asia 2017: The Entrepreneurs Catching The Eye In Asia's Growing Retail Sector". Forbes Asia. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  4. ^ Chaw, Kenneth (2 October 2014). "Neelofa is calm in the eye of the storm - Movies | The Star Online". The Star. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020.
  5. ^ Mustaza, Nurezzatul Aqmar (1 September 2013). "Neelofa: Bukan tuah saya" [Neelofa: It's not my luck] (in Malay). Sinar Harian. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  6. ^ Shamsudin, Rudy Imran (3 December 2019). "Neelofa tinggalkan MeleTOP" [Neelofa left MeleTOP]. Harian Metro (in Malay). Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  7. ^ https://www.mforum.cari.com.my/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=879691 [dead link]
  8. ^ "Kenapa Tak Boleh Kacau Isteri Orang – Lukisan Takdir". www.blog.akudarahanakmalaysia.net (in Malay). 8 June 2015. Archived from the original on 6 December 2015.
  9. ^ Syahirah Mokhtazar (21 November 2018). "#Showbiz: 'My heart is broken and a part of me is left with you' - Neelofa". New Straits Times. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  10. ^ Hanisah Selamat (19 May 2019). "Neelofa sedih kehilangan Adamdidam". Berita Harian. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
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  12. ^ Neelofa sudah berpurdah Harian Metro. 15 Oktober 2020. Dicapai pada 24 November 2020.
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  26. ^ Wednesday, 19 August 2020 08:09 PM MYT (19 August 2020). "Neelofa resigns as AirAsia director | Malay Mail". www.malaymail.com. Retrieved 19 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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  28. ^ "Neelofa & Mira Filzah Bakal Naik Pentas Antara Penerima Nona Superwoman Award 2020 Malam Ini". Media Hiburan (in Malay). 18 December 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
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  39. ^ https://www.kucingblogger.blogspot.my/2013/01/neelofa-dilantik-jadi-duta-suzuki-swift.html?m=1 [user-generated source]
  40. ^ "Neelofa bakal jadi duta LINE" (in Malay). Sinar Harian. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  41. ^ Wahi Aziz (26 August 2015). "Teruja pikat jenama teh" (in Malay). Harian Metro. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  42. ^ "Putrajaya Holding". Putrajaya Holdings.
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  44. ^ Kemalia Othman (25 July 2013). "Lapan Selebriti Popular Jadi Duta Anugerah Syawal TV3" (in Malay). mStar. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
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  46. ^ "Variasi Aiman, Tasha, Amar". Kosmo! (in Malay). 15 August 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
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  48. ^ "Perkahwinan Neelofa - Didakwa tidak patuh SOP, polis buka kertas siasatan". Astro Awani (in Malay). 28 March 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
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  51. ^ "Senarai Penuh Top 5 Anugerah MeleTOP Era 2016" [Full List of Top 5 MeleTOP Era Awards 2016]. www.astrogempak.com.my (in Malay). 26 January 2016. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016.
  52. ^ Angelin Yeoh (30 April 2016). "Akim And The Majistret, Siti Nurhaliza, among winners at APO2016". Star. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
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