Malaysian actor Remy Ishak announced that he is ending his bachelor days tomorrow (Aug 21).
The 39-year-old is getting married to Ezza Yusof, a businesswoman in the footwear industry, whom he has been in a relationship with for eight years. The wedding is set to take place at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur with just the bride, the bridegroom and a Wali (the bride’s male guardian) present.
During a virtual press conference today (Aug 20) to announce the wedding, the Pulang actor spoke on his relationship with Ezza, 38, whose real name is Roszaliza Yusof and is originally from Mentakab, Pahang.
The two started dating in 2013 and got engaged in May 2017. However, they broke it off in 2019.
He said: “Eight years is a pretty long time to be in relationship, but I had told myself that I needed someone who understands me not only as Remy Ishak the actor, but also as Mohammad Zalimei Ishak, the person. It’s dangerous if my partner only knows me as Remy Ishak, the celebrity.
“We’ve had many ups and downs definitely. When we broke up, I did try to get to know other people and be in other relationships, but they didn’t last long.
“And through it all, I kept going back to Ezza... she’s always there for me... she's someone I could turn to, someone to talk to and share things with. So, I came to the conclusion, that she is the one.
“As a person who is in the public eye, I do have access to meet a lot of people. Not to say I am choosy, but I have to make sure I am making the right decision. (My partner’s) personality is the most important thing to me.
“What I respect about Ezza is she wants to improve herself, not for my sake, but her own. She gives me a support system, which is something I truly need. I like that she treats me the same way she treats other people, and this keeps me grounded.”
The star of drama Keluarga Baha Don said he had planned to get married last year, but due to the pandemic, he postponed it with a new date in mind – for it to happen on his birthday (April 11).
“But the situation didn’t allow it at that time either. We picked a new date, which was on the 10th of Syawal (May 22) to signify the victory of our long journey in this relationship. Again, God didn’t allow it.
“We discussed and figured out that it’s not ideal to keep on postponing while waiting for the situation to get better. We decided to do it when they allow the mosque to open.
"When that didn’t happen, we went ahead with the date of Aug 21, and to get married at the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) office. Fortunately, I got a call from them telling me we can get married at the mosque. Thank God. It has been a long journey.”
The Melaka-born star further elaborated that he was in this relationship for a long time as he wanted his future wife to truly know the good and the bad that come with having a celebrity husband.
“I understand that it’s a difficult process, which is why we were in this relationship for so long.
“I want this relationship to last our lifetime. My parents went through a divorce and it was a traumatic experience for me. So, it was important that we enter this stage really knowing each other and our respective worlds.”
According to Remy, he is not going to give up acting just because he has gotten married.
“It is weird for me if I don’t continue to act just because I got married. Acting is my passion; it allows me to escape from reality.
“I truly enjoy my work. So, I will continue to act, and be part of the entertainment world, be it in drama or film.”
At the same time, he admitted that he is also looking into business ventures with Ezza.
“I am sort of a person, who thinks 10 steps ahead about everything. So, I do have plans for the future – acting is part of me, but I am interested in business as well.
“As for children, we want to wait for a while. The whole world is not really stable at the moment, the economy... everything is unsure.
“So, the first two years, we are not going to think about children. If it happens, it happens."
Remy ended the press conference by hoping that his fans and friends in the industry pray for his relationship to go well, and for it to stay strong till the end.
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