MARSHA Milan Londoh has come a long way since stepping into the spotlight in 2005, when she first captured hearts as a finalist on 'Akademi Fantasia' Season 3.
Nearly two decades later, the 38-year-old singer and actress has made her mark in the Malaysian entertainment industry, both in front of the camera and behind the mic.
From her early days in the limelight, Marsha has effortlessly showcased her versatility, taking on a range of roles in films and TV dramas.
She's graced the silver screen in movies like 'Magika', '7ujuh', 'Cun!', and 'Rahsia', while her TV appearances include popular shows such as 'Dunia Kita', 'Mihrab Cinta', 'Tiga Dara Kg.Com', and 'The Maid 2'.
Her talent isn't limited to acting. One of her most notable achievements came in 2013, when Marsha lent her voice to the Malay version of Disney's 'Frozen'.
As the voice of Elsa, she enchanted audiences with her rendition of 'Bebaskan', the Malay version of 'Let It Go', introducing Disney magic to a whole new audience.
Focus on music
While Marsha has slowed down her acting projects to focus more on her music, she hasn't completely closed the door on acting.
"I still take on roles, but only those that don't require too much of my time," says Marsha, explaining her preference for shorter commitments, when met for a chat recently.
"That's why I can't take on long projects like drama series or theatre productions."
Hailing from Tamparuli, Sabah, Marsha continues to shine as a multitalented star.
Her recent crowning achievement was winning Best Performance at TV3's 'Anugerah Juara Lagu' 36 in 2022, a testament to her evolving artistry.
Now, the Kadazan-Dusun singer is gearing up for her next big project: an upcoming album under a collaboration between Alternate Records & Talents and Universal Music Malaysia.
But it's not just one album she's working on — Marsha reveals there are actually two albums in the works.
"We're putting together a compilation of songs I've already released, as well as a brand-new album with fresh tracks," she says with excitement.
While the idea of blending different genres in the compilation initially seemed daunting to her, she found comfort in the advice of her management team.
"They told me that variety is what listeners want these days, so I'm all for it."
As for the new album, fans can look forward to 10 fresh songs.
"The songs are ready, but I haven't hit the studio yet to record them," Marsha shares, hinting at more to come soon.
Another highlight of Marsha's year was her collaboration with Music Travel Love, a popular duo made up of twin brothers Bob and Clint Moffatt from The Moffatts.
Known for recording cover songs in breathtaking locations around the world, the brothers teamed up with Marsha to cover 'Islands In The Stream', originally sung by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton in 1983.
The music video, which was shot on the stunning Kalampunian Besar Island in Kuala Penyu, Sabah, was released in June and quickly gained traction on YouTube.
Reflecting on the experience, Marsha says, "It all happened so quickly, but it was an amazing experience.
"The shoot began at dawn, which meant an early 3am start.
"We had to leave our hotel in the early hours to catch the sunrise. By 10am, we were done filming," Marsha recalls of the project which took place during Ramadan.
"It was a smooth process, and working with the brothers was a breeze. They were so straightforward and professional."
The collaboration clearly left an impression on Marsha.
"If everything goes as planned, we might collaborate again in the future," she hints with a smile.
Recognition
Adding to her string of accomplishments, Marsha was recently recognised for her contributions to the arts. She is set to receive the prestigious Anugerah Darjah Kinabalu from Yang diPertua Negeri Sabah, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, in celebration of his 71st birthday, as reported by 'Harian Metro' recently.
It's a well-deserved honour for a star who continues to shine brightly both on and off stage.
With new music on the way, a high-profile collaboration under her belt, and an award from her home state, Marsha is showing no signs of slowing down.
Her journey from 'Akademi Fantasia' finalist to multitalented performer proves that hard work, passion, and a little bit of Disney magic can take you far.
And for Marsha, the best is yet to come.