A participant of Asia’s Next Top Model (AsNTM) Cycle 5, Alicia takes the criticism of her modelling semi-nude in her stride.
Recently, Alicia has received strong criticism for appearing almost nude in pictures used to promote a website selling women’s.
Born of a Malay father and a German mother, 22-year-old Alicia’s real name is Raja Alicia Raja Amin. She started modelling when she was 15 and now acts in the Meh Sandar Lagi drama series, which airs every Monday to Thursday at 7pm on TV3.
Speaking to mStar, Alicia said she has been ready to face criticism since she was 16 years old, adding that she needed to be brave in facing all challenges that come her way.
“Since I was 16-years-old, I have been faced with such situations when fighting for women’s rights as well as my personal views.
“Sometimes the industry expects perfection, but we must be brave in taking the first step.
Because of that, I always want to do the best with what I have,” Alicia said.
The pictures which have recently gone viral on social media were taken on a beach, believed to be in Melbourne, Australia. They were from a photo shoot in 2016 reportedly for a Victoria’s Secret campaign.
“I hope that netizens find the good qualities of a person and not only finding fault.
“Finding fault with others will not make them happier. I know that my views may not be the same as other people.
“But I believe we live in a country that upholds our rights to accept all cultures, races, religions and to live happily with one another,” Alicia was quoted as saying.
Defending her actions in the face of the backlash, Alicia tweeted that she was a liberal and modern person.
She also said she was proud of the work she had done for that campaign, insisting that her actions were not morally wrong.
One of her tweets read: “It’s 2017 and people are scared of their work because it challenges society. Shame on u Malaysia for breaking our artistes.”
One of her Twitter follower who disagreed with her commented that instead of looking like a civilised person, Alicia only managed to mimic those from the Stone Age (by taking off her clothes).
Alicia also hit back at those who posted nasty comments on her fashion sense, calling them “stereotypical Malays”.
Some netizens sarcastically pointed out to her that she should not be acting in a drama which appeals mostly to “stereotypical Malay” TV viewers.
To that, she responded: “And this is the best example of Malay mentality – shoot bogel/fashion pun salah, buat drama Melayu pun salah. U can never win.”
Obviously, Alicia is not afraid to speak her mind too.