Maya Karim is a multi-talented Malaysian artiste who has achieved success in various fields of entertainment.
She is a film actress, television host and singer who has won numerous awards and honors for her performances.
She is also an environmental activist and public outreach ambassador, passionate about preserving her country’s natural beauty.
She is widely regarded as one of the most popular and influential celebrities in Malaysia.
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- Full name: Maya Karin Roelcke
- Date of Birth: October 29, 1979
- Age: 44
- Gender: Female
- Birthplace: Bayreuth, Germany
- Nationality: Malaysian
- Occupation: Film actor, TV host, singer
- Height: 1.65 m
- Parents: Gottfried Roelcke (father), Che Zan (mother)
- Siblings: Natalia Roelcke (sister), Sebastian Roelcke (brother)
- Spouse: Steven David Shorthorse (ex-husband)
- Children: None
- Relationship status: Single
- Net worth: $5 million
Early life and education
Maya Karin, who will turn 44 in 2023, was born on October 29, 1979 in Bayreuth, Germany, to a German father, Gottfried Roerke, and a Malay mother, Che Zan. She has two siblings: an older sister named Natalia and a younger brother named Sebastian.
Maya is of German, Malay, Chinese and Indian Muslim descent and spent her childhood in several countries including Germany, Indonesia, Australia and Malaysia.
She attended an international school and learned several languages, including English, Malay, German and French.
She has loved music and performing since she was a child, participating in various school plays and musicals. She also enjoys outdoor activities and sports, such as hiking, camping, swimming, and horseback riding.
At the age of 17, she moved to Malaysia permanently and completed her secondary education at the Garden International School in Kuala Lumpur.
She then enrolled at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, where she obtained a degree in Media and Marketing. She joined the school’s drama club and performed in several drama productions.
Personal life
Maya Karin married British expatriate Steven David Shorthose in 2008. They had a traditional Malay wedding in Kuala Lumpur followed by a reception in London.
However, their marriage did not last long and they divorced in 2010. Maya Karin attributed the separation to irreconcilable differences and lack of communication.
She also revealed that she suffered from depression and anxiety during her marriage and sought professional help to deal with her emotional issues. She has since remained single and focused on her career and personal growth.
Maya Karin has no children, but she is very close to her nieces and nephews. She spends a lot of time with them and treats them as her own children.
She also has a pet cat named Luna, who was adopted from a shelter. She loves animals and supports various animal welfare organizations.
Profession
Maya Kalyan started her career as a television host in 1999 when she joined Astro Ria. She hosted several shows such as Warna, Maya and Gaya. She has also appeared in several commercials and music videos.
She made her debut in the film industry in the horror film Seri Dewi Malam in 2001. She then starred in several other films such as Cinta Kolestrol, Mr Cinderella and Cinta 24 Jam.
She rose to fame in 2004 for her role as the lead character Meriam in the horror film Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam.
She received critical acclaim and won Best Actress awards at the Asia Pacific Film Festival and the Estepona Fantasy and Horror Film Festival.
She also reprised the role in the sequel Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam 2 in 2005. She subsequently starred in several successful films such as Anak Halal, Waris Jari Hantu, Ombak Rindu and Munafik 2.
She has been nominated for the Malaysian Film Festival Best Actress Award 11 times and won twice for Waris Jari Hantu and Munafik 2.
She is also a singer and has released albums Maya and Maya Karin. She sang many songs for her films such as “Menghitung Hari”, “Tiada Kata Secantik Bahasa” and “Lagu Cinta”.
She has also worked with other artists such as Ning Baizura, Jaclyn Victor and Faizal Tahir. She has won several awards in singing competitions such as Anugerah Planet Muzik and Anugerah Juara Lagu.
She is also a TV presenter and has hosted several shows such as Maya HD, Maya Unplugged and Maya Travelogue. She has also been a judge and mentor on several talent shows such as Mentor, Akademi Fantasia and The Voice Malaysia.
She has also been a guest star and guest star in several TV series such as Cinta Si Wedding Planner, Cinta Koko Coklat, and Cinta Sekali Lagi.
dispute
Maya Karin has been involved in several controversies and scandals during her career. Some of them are:
- In 2006, she was accused of plagiarizing the song “Menghitung Hari” by Indonesian singer Krisdayanti. She denied the accusation and claimed that she had obtained permission from the original composer and a license to perform the song.
- In 2008, she was criticized for wearing a revealing dress at the Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian. She apologized for her clothing blunder and explained that she did not realize that the dress was too transparent under the spotlight.
- In 2010, there were rumors that she had an affair with her co-star Aaron Aziz during the filming of Ombak Rindu. She denied the rumors and said that they were good friends and professional colleagues. She also said that she was still married to Steven David Shorthose at the time and she respected her husband and marriage vows.
- In 2012, she was sued by her former agent Zainal Abidin for breach of contract and non-payment of fees. She claimed that she had terminated her contract with him due to his unprofessionalism and mismanagement. She also stated that she had paid him all the fees he was due. The case was settled out of court in 2013.
- In 2018, she was mocked by some netizens for attending the Anugerah Skrin event. They said she looked old and haggard and had undergone plastic surgery. She responded by saying that she was proud of her natural beauty and did not care about the negative comments.
Social Media
- Instagram: @maya_karin
- Twitter: @maya_karin
Filmography
- Ombaklindu
- Munafiq
- inch!
- Halal Life
- Du Yong
Discography
- Tecateki
- Plan
- Gebang
- Tersaeum
- Logic
- Didi Lahiya
net worth
Maya Karin has an estimated net worth of $5 million. She earns her income from acting, singing, hosting, and endorsement deals.
She has endorsed several brands and products such as L’Oreal, Sunsilk, Samsung, and Honda.
