Awal Ashaari

Ahmad Awaluddin bin Ashaari was born in 1981 from Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur. He is a popular Malaysian television host and actor who has won many awards and garnered a large following on social media. Actively involved in show business since 2004, Awal is an iconic celebrity who is sought after by many for his good looks and personality.

Starting out and making it in entertainment

Awal Ashaari’s works in acting and hosting is second to none. He has been a model as well as spokesperson for many brands too. Married in 2012 to Scha Al-Yahyam he came into the limelight as the host of One in a Million. He is the eighth of nine siblings. Awal studied at Methodist Boys’ School before continuing his degree in film and television with Curtin University at Limkokwing University. He also continued to his postgraduate in mass communications with UiTM, Shah Alam.

When he started out, Awal worked at international advertising agency, Leo Burnett Advertising. Then, he was in account servicing. He would then move on to the screen where he became a newscaster with 8TV, something he did around 2004. He was also among the top 30 finalist at the first Malaysian Idol then.

Venturing into hosting and acting

A natural in front of the camera, Awal was involved in Beat TV with Astro Ria and others such as Sesi Teh Tarik F&N, Sensasi and the hugely popular One in a Million. He also got involved in acting where he starred in Illyana, Noktah Erna, Impian Illyana, 3R and Miss XX-Ray, among others. Among his earlier works in film include Diva, Impak Maksima and I’m Not Single, a romantic comedy by Pierre Andre.

Besides acting and hosting, Awal is also an entrepreneur. Together with his wife Scha, they started the company Schapoholics. In 2009, they opened DnA CelebrityStyle, a fashion boutique in Desa Sri Hartamas which has since closed.

Recognition and popularity on social media

Awal’s Instagram account has about 5.1 million followers. He is often seen posting professionally on his pictures which comes naturally for him. He has had a fruitful career as an actor and host. As early as 2007, Awal was nominated at the Festival Filem Malaysia ke-20 for the Pelakon Harapan Lelaki Diva. He would then receive the same nomination in 2009 for his role in Syurga Cinta. In 2010, he won the Selebriti Lelaki Paling Bergaya at the Anugerah Stail EH! which he repeated in 2012.

He had also won the Anugerah Cosmopolitan’s Fun Fearless Fabulous as the Jejaka Terhangat in 2010. Meanwhile, 2013 saw him nominated as Favourite TV Personality at the Anugerah Shout! while winning at the Anugerah Melodi for Pasangan Pujaan together with his wife as well as the Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian ke-27 for Artis Lelaki Stailo.