Tracie Sinidol is a Malaysian actress and model who rose to fame after winning the Dewi Remaja 2022 title, becoming the first East Malaysian to do so. She also made her mark in the film industry with her role in the Oscar-winning movie Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-ho.
From pageant to screen
Tracie Sinidol was born on September 24, 2001, in Tambunan, Sabah. She is the fifth of nine siblings, and her parents are Sinidol Stimin, a Murut from Tenom, and Veronica Tajin, a Dusun from Tambunan. She grew up in Keningau, where she completed her secondary education.
Tracie started her career as a beauty queen, following the footsteps of her elder sister, Grace, who had won several pageants, such as the Kalimaran Murut Festival and the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan. Tracie won the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan Tambunan 2021 title and then went on to compete in the Dewi Remaja 2022 contest, a national-level pageant for young women aged 18 to 25.
She impressed the judges and the public with her beauty, intelligence, and charisma and was crowned as the Dewi Remaja 2022, or the Teen Queen 2022, on January 5, 2022. Also, She won the Dewi Favourite award, based on online votes. She received a cash prize of RM 10,000 and a trophy, among other rewards.
Many Malaysians, especially those from Sabah, celebrated Tracie’s victory and praised her for breaking the stereotype that only West Malaysians can win such contests. Tracie said she was proud to represent Sabah and East Malaysia and hoped to inspire other young women to pursue their dreams.
A star in the making
Tracie’s talent and potential did not go unnoticed by the film industry, as she soon received offers to act on various projects. She made her acting debut by playing herself in a telefilm called Negaraku on September 16, directed by Jurey Latiff Rosli. She then appeared in another telefilm, Budak Pasar, where she played a market girl who falls in love with a rich boy.
However, Tracie broke through with her role in the critically acclaimed and internationally renowned film Parasite, which Bong Joon-ho directed. The film is a dark comedy and social satire that depicts the lives of two families, one rich and one poor, who become entangled in a series of events. The film won four Oscars, including Best Picture, in 2020, making history as the first non-English film to do so.
Tracie Sinidol plays the role of Park Da-Hye, the daughter of the wealthy Park family, who develops a crush on her tutor, Kim Ki-woo, who is actually a poor con artist. Tracie said she was honored and grateful to be part of the film and that she learned a lot from working with Bong and the other cast members. She also said that the film’s success and the positive response from the audience amazed her.
Tracie’s performance in Parasite earned her praise and recognition, both locally and internationally. She was nominated for an International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series, along with her co-stars. She also won several awards in Malaysia, such as the Best New Actress award at the Malaysia Film Festival and the Most Promising Actress award at the Anugerah Skrin.
Tracie continued to showcase her acting skills in other projects, such as the drama series Diari Cinta and Luruhnya Bunga Cinta, where she played the lead roles. She also starred in a music video for Sufian Suhaimi’s song Mengenggam Bahagia, where she played his love interest.
Future plans and aspirations
Tracie said she is passionate about acting and modeling and that she wants to pursue them as her career. She said she is open to any opportunities and challenges that come her way and that she wants to improve her skills and learn from others. She also expressed her interest in exploring different genres and roles and her hope to work with more local and international directors and actors.
Tracie’s idol, Emma Watson, inspired her with her success as an actress, activist, and feminist. Tracie said she admires Emma’s courage and confidence and that she wants to follow her example of using her fame and influence for good causes. She said she is passionate about women’s empowerment, education, and environmental protection and that she wants to contribute to these issues in her way.
Tracie said she is thankful for the support and love she receives from her family, friends, and fans and that she wants to make them proud. She said she is also grateful for the opportunities and experiences she has had so far and that she wants to share them with others. She said she hopes to inspire more young people, especially from Sabah and East Malaysia, to chase their dreams and achieve their goals.