Sabah accent difficult to control, says new actor

Newcomer Sharmaine Ilenna Rudy Alexander, 26, finds controlling her native Sabah accent a significant hurdle in her acting career. "The hardest thing for me is to control my Sabah accent, especially when I start to feel nervous on set," she shared. "In this new drama, I have to repeat the same dialogue up to five or six times for one scene."

“

The hardest thing for me is to control my Sabah accent, especially when I start to feel nervous on set. In this new drama, I have to repeat the same dialogue up to five or six times for one scene.

Alexander explained that her role as Sarah in the 60-episode drama "Kasih Yang Terkorban" requires precise Malay pronunciation. Her Sabah dialect often surfaces when she feels nervous, leading to frequent corrections from the director. This contrasts with her earlier experience in "Keluarga Iskandar 3," where a slight regional accent was welcomed.

"The production team actually liked hearing a bit of Sabah dialect before. But this time, the director, Abang Ijat, is very meticulous and is the first to point out if my accent slips," she said. Alexander, who has a background in law, is learning to set aside her argumentative nature. She recalled being criticized by judge Nabila Huda during the Dewi Remaja competition for appearing uncomfortable and defensive on camera, attributing it to her high heels. Nabila's feedback taught her the importance of accepting criticism without making excuses in the entertainment industry.

“

The production team actually liked hearing a bit of Sabah dialect before. But this time, the director, Abang Ijat, is very meticulous and is the first to point out if my accent slips.

"That formula is what I bring to the drama now. When the director corrects me, I don't argue anymore. I listen carefully, accept it openly, and work on my acting on set," Alexander stated. Despite only acting for four months, she has gained significant experience during the 70-day shoot with veteran actors like Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan and Rahim Omar. She also mentioned an offer from David Teo.

“

That formula is what I bring to the drama now. When the director corrects me, I don't argue anymore. I listen carefully, accept it openly, and work on my acting on set.