SHE was discovered in 2017 at the Kuala Lumpur Drama Festival. Only 20 years old at the time, Nur Qamarina Diana Zulreal did not expect that acting would be her career.
“I have always wanted to be an actor. It was a distant dream, something that I always thought about, but never thought I would achieve.
“Now it is a part of my life, it is a lot of work and it keeps me busy, but it is my passion,” said the 23-year-old actress better known as Riena Diana.
Her most recent – and arguably her most well-known – role is as the wild and flamboyant Rusiah, also known as Laila, in the TV comedy-drama Kampung People. The show also stars Rashidi Ishak, Elly Mazlain, and Kamarul Eqifshah.
Having only started acting three years ago, Riena admits that she still has a lot to learn, especially when it comes to developing a character.
“I am still relatively new in the entertainment scene, so I am still learning the various ways on how to create a character.
“However, I always begin by reading the script multiple times to understand the story.
“Based on that, I form the character, not just her demeanour and personality, but little things like her age, her favourite food, what she wears, and even her full name if it comes to that,” added Riena.
When it comes to the pandemic, Riena continues to be conscious not only on set, but especially with fans. While some recognise her and want to take photos with her, she avoids such attention by adhering to safety advice issued by the Health Ministry.
“As for the industry itself, I don’t see it changing because of the pandemic. Recording of films and dramas are still going on. However, it is the actors and the crew behind the camera who are the most affected.
“There are some who have lost their jobs, and even now, abiding by the new standard operating procedures for the pandemic, during production, is not easy. When it is impossible, filming stops, which affects more people.
“I pray for them, those in the entertainment industry and those who are affected. The industry itself is big, and I’ve heard a lot of theories about those whose livelihoods are affected. I hope everyone can recover,” said Riena.
With all that said, she still has hope for the local entertainment industry, especially for its many talents.
“Yes, I have confidence in the Malaysian entertainment industry because I see that we have a lot of talented actors. There are even those who have ventured out to ply their craft in neighbouring countries.
“I think Malaysian actors can go far because of their talents, and it gives me hope for my own career,” said Riena.
“I hope there is a place for me among them. And I believe that if I continue to learn and gain experience, I will be able to be as good as them someday.”
