8-7-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysia, a country where Islam is the official religion and the majority of Malaysians practice Islam, has recently seen several controversies surrounding “revealing” attire due to the influence of conservative Islamic norms. In the midst of this, renowned lingerie retailer Victoria’s Secret has introduced its first Malay model, Nia Atasha, who quickly gained popularity on social media while also stirring up significant controversy. At the age of 27, Nia Atasha becomes the first Malay model to collaborate with Victoria’s Secret, expressing her excitement and honor to be associated with the brand.
“Since stepping into the modeling industry, it has been my dream to become a Victoria’s Secret model,” she said during an interview, still finding it hard to believe. Alongside Nia Atasha, Malaysian beauty queen Jane Teoh and Thai actress Janie Tienphosuwan were also selected as models for the brand in 2018. Nia Atasha shared updates on the collaboration and behind-the-scenes moments from the photo shoots on her Instagram account.
While many netizens congratulated Nia Atasha for fulfilling her dreams, a small portion expressed dissatisfaction, stating that her behavior without covering her modesty contradicts Islamic principles and disregards the honor of her family.
Nia Atasha, a native of Kuala Lumpur, entered the fashion industry in 2014. She is also a talented graduate in graphic design from Mara University of Technology, often sharing her own art creations such as paintings, ceramics, and embroidery on Instagram. Prior to her role as a model, she had also worked with international luxury brands such as Dior, Calvin Klein, and Samsung. In addition to her modeling career, Nia Atasha has also appeared in various theatrical productions and films, showcasing her multifaceted talent as an artist.
