Wincci joins Malay fans in fasting amid album launch

PETALING JAYA: Beauty queen-turned-entertainer Soo Wincci is getting more connected to her Malay friends and fans by joining them in fasting this Ramadan.

“No, I didn't convert nor do I have a Muslim boyfriend. I'm single right now,” she said with a laugh, adding that she was fasting as a gesture of appreciation to her Malay fans.

Being in a food haven like Taiwan has not stopped the 27-year-old from fasting.

Soo, who is in Taiwan for work, said she had to wake up at 3am for sahur while she broke fast at Taiwan's famous night markets.

“Initially, I was apprehensive as Taiwan is known for its good food but I'm touched to see my Muslim fans leaving comments of encouragement on my Twitter and Facebook,” she said, adding that she plans to break fast at orphanages when she comes back to Malaysia.

Her popularity among Malay audiences soared when she became a finalist on MasterChef Celebrity Malaysia.

Her first Malay pop album, Terus Teranglah, is set to win her more fans.

“Because of MasterChef, more people now know me and know that I'm also a singer,” she said.

“This is a stepping stone for me and it will also help me polish up my Bahasa Malaysia.”

The former Miss Malaysia World 2008 said she had always enjoyed Malay and Indonesian songs and listened to a lot of songs by Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and Kris Dayanti.

“Every time I sing, especially abroad, I include at least one Malay song in the set. It's the best way to express my Malaysian identity,” she said.

For Terus Teranglah, Soo went to songwriter, producer and hit-maker Ajai, who composed all four tracks on her EP.