Carmen Soo (born Soo Wai Ming; 14 October 1977) is a Malaysian model and actress.
Life and career Soo was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to a Chinese father and to a half-Chinese, half-British mother. She holds a bachelor's degree in business management and can speak fluent Malay, Cantonese and English while also learning Tagalog to help her television acting career in the Philippines. She was part owner of a boutique named 'Kushi' located in Bangsar.
In 2015, Soo married Benson Tan in Bali and they have one daughter. She currently resides in Petaling Jaya, Selangor with her family.
Modeling Carmen Soo began modelling at age 17 and moved to Hong Kong at age 20 to pursue modelling career, which has brought her all over Asia, including Singapore. At 156 cm (just under 5'1") tall, her petite size is not conducive to catwalk modeling, hence most of her shoots tend to be print and television commercials. However, she has graced local magazines' covers such as New Man, V Mag, New Tide GLAM and Nu You. She is a spokesperson for international watch brand Longines along with Malaysian theatre personality Paula Malai Ali,http://www.longines.com/eng/html_longines/Ambassadors/cv_Carmen_Soo.pdf and for Celcom with Singaporean singer JJ Lin. Soo is the brand ambassador of Uniqlo Malaysia. She is managed by Model One in Hong Kong.
Acting Carmen started as an extra in the 1999 Jackie Chan movie entitled Gorgeous alongside Shu Qi, and later was in Aaron Kwok's musical special.
In September 2008, Carmen co-starred in an ABS-CBN (in collaboration with Malaysia's Double Vision) soap opera with Filipino actors Jericho Rosales, Cristine Reyes and Christopher de Leon in the teleserye Kahit Isang Saglit that was aired in the Philippines and Malaysia, and worldwide through TFC. Kahit Isang Saglit later earned a nomination in the International Emmy Award.
In 2010, Carmen appeared in a four-part series of Your Song entitled "Beautiful Girl" with Christian Bautista, which was shot through mid-July and August between Malaysia and the Philippines. In the same year, she appeared alongside JC De Vera in the third season of 5 Star Specials entitled Si Paco at ang Prinsesa, directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal on TV5.
Carmen was the lead actor in the Malaysian horror film The Hunter 3D, directed and written by Bjarne Wong. Soo then went on to perform on HBO Asia's Dead Mine as Su-Ling. She also appeared in the Singaporean horror film Ghost Child, alongside Chen Hanwei and Jayley Woo, as well as the legal drama series The Pupil and Code of Law with Vernetta Lopez.
Hosting In 2009, Soo became a judge on It's Showtime. In April 2010, Soo became a co-host on Wowowee along with Kelly Misa, Jed Montero, Isabelle Abiera, RR Enriquez, Valerie Concepcion, Mariel Rodriguez and Pokwang.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes Type 1999 Gorgeous Gloria A box office success in Hong Kong, grossing HK$40,545,889 during its theatrical run. 2004 Visits: Hungry Ghost Anthology : Episode 1413 Maria 2005 Baik Punya Cilok Lina 2006 The 3rd Generation Linda Won the "Most Promising Actress Award" at the Malaysian Film Festival 2006. Malaysia's first award-winning Cantonese movie starring Nicholas Teo and Amber Chia 2008 Kurus Miss Liew Won the Special Jury Prize at the Bangkok International Film Festival and Golden Kinnaree Awards, under the South-East Asian Competition held by director Ming Jin-Woo Independent film 2009 Sayang You Can Dance Angel Tenement 2 Isabel First cameo role in the Philippines. T2 Box Office 95 Million. Earned US$430,776 on its opening weekend. My Spy Jade 2011 Mein Herz in Malaysia Dalina Germany FFP New Media GmbH in Coproduction with Double Vision Malaysia for ARD Degeto. Made for television 2012 The Hunter 3D 3D film Dead Mine Su-Ling HBO Asia's first original production after 20 years. The Borneo Incident Alagwa (Breakaway) Recently made its world premiere at the 17th Busan International Film Festival in South Korea. 2013 Double Directed by Woo Ming-Jin. Part of an online Silent Terror Anthology of YOMYOMF Network on YouTube Short film Ghost Child Na Love...and Other Bad Habits Jess Shuffle Short film 2014 Yasmine Mother 2018 Orang Itu Ching Crazy Rich Asians Francesca Shaw 2020 Jebat Aireen/Damia 2022 Air Force The Movie: Selagi Bernyawa Major Marya Lee 2024 Baik Punya Ah Long Amoi
Television Year Title Role Network Notes 2007 Ghost Jenny 8TV 2008 Kahit Isang Saglit Margaret 'Garie' Hang-Li ABS-CBN Main Role / Protagonist Kurus (Days of the Turquoise Sky) Miss Carol NTV7 2009 Ghost II Jenny 8TV Maalaala Mo Kaya: Videoke Maria ABS-CBN 2010 Showtime Judge ABS-CBN Wowowee Co-Host ABS-CBN 5 Star Specials: Si Paco at ang Prinsesa Prinsesa Amara TV5 Your Song: Beautiful Girl Hannah ABS-CBN 2010–2012 The Pupil Rachel Sung Mediacorp 2012–2015 Code of Law 2011 Maurice Lacroix Follow Your Convictions Private Sessions Herself NTV7 Episode 5 Ang Asawa Kong Japeks Lily TV5 Showtime Judge ABS-CBN Cyber Colors Glamour Girl Search Mentor 8TV Sasa Reality Search Dapur Selebriti Knorr Herself 8TV Reality cooking show 2012 The Apartment Style Edition Guest Judge (Episode 8) Star World Shot in Malaysia Airing in 20 Countries in Asia Omg! Herself Diva Universal 2016 The Hush Valerie Teo Mediacorp 2017 Asia's Next Top Model Host/Judge Star World Cycle 5 2022 One Cent Thief Irene Astro Ria2023 The Iron Heart Harmonia Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, Jeepney TV, TV5 Main Role / ProtagonistOperandi Gerhana (Phantom Squad)Lily NetflixBest Actress - Drama Series Pesta Perdana 2025
Theatre Year Title Role Notes 2005 The Girl From Ipoh The Girl From Ipoh A Chinese make love story. Directed by Low Ngai Yuen with music direction by Penny Low The Theatre production by Integrated Expressions staged from 9 to 13 November 2005 at Pentas 1 KLPAC. 2007 Rose Rose I Love You Xuan Integrated Expressions presents a pop musical production inspired by the life and times of Rose Chan, the legendary erotic Cabaret Queen of Malaya. Directed by Low Ngai Yuen with music direction by Penny Low, Rose Rose I Love You is the second collaboration between Penny Low and Ngai Yuen since The Girl from Ipoh. Rose Rose I Love You staged at the Genting International Showroom from 2 to 4 Nov, and on 9 to 11 Nov It is mostly in English with some Cantonese/Mandarin dialogue (with subtitles). Also in the cast are Tony Eusoff, K.K. Wong, Ling Tan, Lim Tiong Wooi and Anrie Too. 2011 Angels & Demons BURLESQUE Genting International Showroom
Awards Most Promising Actress Award at the Malaysian Film Festival 2006 Best Actress Award - Drama Series at the Pesta Perdana 2025
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