Suria actor Fauzie Laily sees his star rising on Channel 5
He already has strong Malay fanbase. Now, Channel 5 viewers are starting to recognise him, too
Local actor and host Fauzie Laily, who is already a familiar face on Suria, has become a staple on Channel 5 in recent months.
He stars as Singapore Civil Defence Force personnel Sulaiman and loving husband to actress Syirah Jusni's character Norleena in the English drama Tanglin.
The show was recently renewed for a second season. It airs on weeknights at 8.30pm.
When filming for the first season ends in January, he will have a short breather before filming for the new season resumes.
Fauzie, 30, also hosts the reality dance competition The Dance Floor 2 alongside Asia's Next Top Model season three second runner-up Aimee Cheng-Bradshaw. It airs on Sundays at 9.30pm.
On top of his TV projects, he has also been unveiled as the new social media influencer for US skincare brand Origins.
But he feels that now is not the time to slow down.
"As a freelancer, if you're not busy, then something is not right. I'm grateful that it has been very good in the last few years for me," Fauzie told The New Paper last week at the official opening of Origins' first free-standing store in Singapore at ION Orchard.
The actor already has a strong Malay fanbase and now he is steadily gaining recognition among Channel 5 viewers.
"Once, when I was at Arnold's Fried Chicken, a Chinese girl who looked like she was in primary school asked if she could take a photograph with me.
"It's different having non-Malays recognising me... I think that is good progress," said Fauzie, who first penetrated the English market in 2008 with a role in drama series En Bloc.
HECTIC
The jovial TV personality admitted that his work schedule eats into his personal time with his pre-school principal wife Nurul Huda Abdul Khalid, whom he married in 2013.
"She's thankful for these opportunities that I have been given. Besides, she knows I grumble when I'm not busy. To make it up to her, I make it a point to pick her up from work if I end work early or take her out for dinners," he said.
His weekdays and weekends are reserved for filming Tanglin and The Dance Floor 2 respectively, making it hard to take on more projects.
"Unfortunately, I have had to turn down a few Suria projects. It is, after all, where it all began for me and I miss it there. I hope to do more as soon as my schedule frees up," said Fauzie, who will also be part of this year's annual Channel 5 countdown show that features an appearance by US singer Adam Lambert.
He also admitted that long days at work have taken a toll on his skin, forcing him to care for his skin better and adopt a three-step skincare regimen - cleanse, tone and moisturise with Origins products.
"I've had to put in more effort... I've had to cover up my dark circles frequently. Pimples occasionally pop up as I have to put on make-up every day," he said, adding that shoots last for 12 hours or longer.
"I don't know how girls do it. My wife is still more vain than I am, although I take a longer time with my night skincare routine," he said with a laugh.
Fauzie and Nurul Huda, 30, celebrated their second wedding anniversary last month and are trying for a child.
Incidentally, on Tanglin, Fauzie's character is preparing to be a first-time father.
"When I watch (Tanglin) with my wife, she will tease me and ask if I will be as doting and loving towards her when our time comes. It does give me strange feelings when I watch the episodes and I wonder if I will resemble Sulaiman when I become a father myself.
"I jokingly tell my wife that she already has cravings, so it will be more 'jialat' (Hokkien for terrible) when she actually becomes pregnant," he said.
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now