PUTRAJAYA, Oct 30 — Popularity may catapult an actor to fame overnight, but talent and work discipline ultimately determine whether they can remain relevant in the entertainment industry over the long term.
Actress Nad Zainal said recognition and fan attention alone were insufficient if performers failed to maintain professional work ethics, particularly on the filming set.
Nad, whose real name is Farah Nadia Zainal Abidin, said popularity could fade at any time, while talent backed by strong discipline could provide the foundation for a sustainable acting career.
“What matters is that we, as actors, understand the importance of discipline on set. We must not let popularity bring us down because it can disappear just like that. It is talent that allows us to remain relevant and sustain our careers,” she told reporters on the sidelines of the Seri Angkasa Awards 2026 (ASA2026) recently.
