EVER wondered what popular actress and television host Juliana Evans was like in school? “You’ll be surprised,” quips the 27-year-old, who has starred in a number of local films and television dramas.
“I was hardly the quiet type. I was very active in school, especially in sports such as long-jump, hockey and netball,” says Juliana who once aspired to be a scientist.
“I was in the science stream and my favourite subject was chemistry. Honestly, I wanted to become a scientist.”
But when that did not happen, Juliana, who had some hosting experience, decided to give acting a try.
“It’s an industry I’ve been exploring since young,” says the former gymnast.
Born Juliana Sophie Evans, the lanky beauty landed her first hosting role at 12. After hosting E-Zone on Astro Ria for two years, she moved on to host TV3’s Remaja, a weekly programme for teenagers.
She has appeared in a string of films including Hantu Bonceng (2011), Mael Lombong (2012), and Dampak (2013). Hantu Bonceng was one of the highest grossing movies in Malaysia that year.
Juliana has also worked on theatre productions, with the recent one being Bawang Putih Bawang Merah (directed by Erma Fatima), in which she played the antagonist Bawang Putih.
She is currently reprising her role as Taylor Marie Smith in the fifth season of Oh My English! After School. “Taylor is very similar to me in real life. She has that leadership quality and can be very bossy. I like to lead and be in charge of things.”
DREAM OF DIRECTING
An alumni of Western Michigan University, Juliana is preparing for her role in a new film to be directed by Kabir Bhatia.
Kabir is no stranger to the local film industry, and his movies include Sembunyi (2013), Gila Baby (2014) and last year’s Juvana 2. Juliana refuses to shed more light on her character or the title of the film but says that she is a big fan of the India-born director.
“It’s a dream come true to be able to work with Kabir. I worked with him many years ago in a TV commercial,” she says, adding that she had to turn down offers to work with him due to scheduling conflicts.
A film, video and media studies graduate, Juliana plans to write and direct her own films in future. “My courses opened my eyes to filmmaking. I learnt a lot about filmmaking and I want to explore it. I also plan to open up my own production house in future. Directing my own films is certainly on top of my bucket list.”
When asked what sort of films she is drawn to, she smiles before adding: “Psychological thrillers, with some horror thrown in. I’d also like to make a film based on a real person.”
Juliana is not perturbed by criticism from fans and foes. “The comments don’t bother me. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Sometimes it’s best to ignore it all because the more you pay attention to them, the more unhappy you will become. Whenever I encounter hateful comments, I just delete them.”
CREATIVE JULIANA
Screen and TV personality Juliana Evans also hopes to explore writing and directing films in the near future.
Quick Facts
NAME
Juliana Sophie Johari Evans
DATE OF BIRTH
July 5, 1989 (age 27)
PLACE OF BIRTH
Shah Alam, Selangor
OCCUPATION
Actress, host and model
ZODIAC SIGN
Cancer
TRIVIA
Born to a Malay mother and British father, Juliana landed her first hosting job at 12 in the entertainment programme, E-Zone. After hosting TV3’s Remaja, a youth-related TV programme, she was offered acting roles in films such as Hantu Bonceng (2011), Mael Lombong (2012), and Dampak and KIL (both in 2013). Juliana is currently working with award-winning director Kabir Bhatia in a yet-to-be titled film.
The fresh-faced beauty also excelled academically, having graduated from Western Michigan University in 2014 with a degree in film, video and media studies. She also took up acting courses at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, the US.