Jacqueline Fernandez Biography

Jacqueline Fernandez (born 2 June 1985) is a Sri Lankan actress and model who appears in Bollywood films. Fernandez is a former model and beauty queen who won Miss Sri Lanka Universe in 2006. She has received an International Indian Film Academy Award for Best Female Debut and Stardust Award for Lux Exciting New Face in 2010, for her role in Aladin.

Early life

Fernandez was born to a Sri Lankan father and a Malaysian mother. At the age of three her family, including her three siblings moved to Bahrain, where she spent most of her childhood. She moved to Australia for her college degree in Mass Communications, and then moved back to Sri Lanka where she worked in modelling, and television reporting and hosting. She speaks Arabic, Spanish, French, English, Hindi and Sinhalese.

Career

Career beginnings (2006–10)

In March 2006, Fernandez was crowned the Miss Sri Lanka Universe 2006 and subsequently represented Sri Lanka at Miss Universe 2006 held in Los Angeles where she was unplaced. From there she began receiving offers to go to India for more modelling, and she got selected for a Bollywood film. She has worked as an anchorwoman on one of Sri Lanka's business programs called "Lanka Business Report". She also writes a weekly column for a national newspaper, the "Daily mirror". Jackie also has a non-profit organisation in Sri Lanka focusing on empowering the underprivileged. She has come in a VIP ad with Shahid Kapoor. Fernandez made her acting debut in the 2009 Bollywood fantasy movie Aladin opposite Ritesh Deshmukh. She played a character inspired by the Disney Princess character of Jasmine. 2010 saw her once again appearing alongside Ritesh Deshmukh in the romantic comedy Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai. She also made a cameo appearance in Sajid Khan's Housefull in the song 'Dhanno' which was a big success.

Breakthrough & success (2011–present)

In 2011, Fernandez appeared in her third film, Mahesh Bhatt's thriller Murder 2, which went on to become her first box office success, receiving blockbuster status. Fernandez played the role of Priya a lonely model who is in a confused relationship with Arjun Bhagwat, played by Emraan Hashmi. Fernandez grabbed a lot of attention for the boldness and sex appeal she displayed in the movie. Murder 2 launched Fernandez's career for the good, as she started getting offers from big production houses. Post Murder 2 success, Fernandez turned down many roles, such as Raaz 3D, to avoid being type cast as a sex symbol. She also turned down a role in Krrish 3, but that was due to date conflicts. She ranked at #7 in Time's Top 50 Most Desirable Women of 2011.

In 2012 Fernandez appeared in Housefull 2, which become a major commercial success, receiving a super hit status at the box office. Also, Fernandez received positive reviews for her performance. Fernandez is currently filming for Abbas-Mustan's Race 2, which is expected to be released on 25 January 2013, on Republic Day.