Basic Details
Grace, glamour, and a captivating screen presence—Jacqueline Fernandez is a name that blends international charm with Bollywood flair. A former Miss Universe Sri Lanka and now one of India’s top film actresses, Jacqueline Fernandez has won hearts with her vibrant performances, infectious energy, and global appeal. But beyond the glamour lies a story of resilience, discipline, and fierce ambition.
Born in Bahrain to a multiethnic family, Jacqueline Fernandez had a multicultural upbringing that influenced her worldview and artistic tastes. Her love for performing arts led her from beauty pageants to television reporting and finally into the Indian film industry, where she became a household name. From her breakthrough in Murder 2 to blockbuster hits like Kick and Judwaa 2, her journey has been full of highlights and headlines.This comprehensive Jacqueline Fernandez biography takes you through her early life, rise to fame, controversies, relationships, and much more—read on to discover it all.
Physical Stats and More
- Height
5 feet 7 inches
- Weight
Approx. 56 kg
- Eye Colour
Brown
- Body Measurements
34-27-35
- Hair Colour
Brown
Biography
She is more than just a pretty face—Jacqueline Fernandez is a dynamic performer with a pan-Asian appeal and a relentless work ethic. Born on August 11, 1985, in Manama, Bahrain, to a Sri Lankan father and Malaysian-Canadian mother, she grew up in a culturally rich environment.
After completing her early education in Bahrain, Jacqueline pursued a degree in mass communication from the University of Sydney. She later worked as a TV reporter in Sri Lanka before turning to modeling. Her life changed forever when she was crowned Miss Universe Sri Lanka in 2006, which led her to represent the country at the Miss Universe pageant.
Her Bollywood debut came in 2009 with Aladin, but real recognition arrived with Murder 2 (2011). Since then, actor Jacqueline Fernandez has been a staple in big-budget films, music videos, and glamorous endorsements, becoming one of the most searched celebrities on the internet.
Relationships & More
Career
Early Life & Entry into Bollywood
- Born August 11, 1985 in Manama, Bahrain, Jacqueline is Sri Lankan by nationality, with a multicultural heritage (Sri Lankan, Malaysian, Canadian).
- A graduate of Mass Communication (University of Sydney), she worked as a TV reporter before entering Bollywood after winning Miss Universe Sri Lanka (2006).
Debut and Breakthrough (2009–2013)
- Debut: Aladin (2009) as Jasmine; the film failed but she received the IIFA Star Debut award.
- Followed by Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai (2010), another flop.
- Breakthrough occurred with the thriller Murder 2 (2011), her first big commercial hit.
- Gained wider visibility with Housefull 2 (2012) and Race 2 (2013)
Establishing star power (2014–2017)
- Major success came with Kick (2014) opposite Salman Khan—one of the highest-grossing films of that time.
- Continued with a mix of hits and misses: Roy (2015), Bangistan (2015), Brothers (2015), and British debut Definition of Fear (2015).
- Key commercial projects: Housefull 3, Dishoom, A Flying Jatt (all 2016).
- Starred in A Gentleman and Judwaa 2 (both 2017), the latter being a major box-office hit
Diverse Ventures & OTT Entry (2018–present)
- Appeared in ensemble casts and hit franchises: Race 3 and special numbers in Saaho (2019), Drive (2019) directly via Netflix.
- Continued projects include Mrs. Serial Killer (Netflix, 2020), Bhoot Police (2021), Radhe (2021), and Bachchhan Paandey (2022).
- Expanded into South Indian cinema with Attack and Vikrant Rona in 2022, followed by Cirkus and Ram Setu.
Recent Hits & Upcoming Projects
- Featured recently in Housefull 5 (2025), contributing glamour and comedy, and part of a new ensemble generation.
- Debuted on TV with the musical-drama Hai Junoon! on JioHotstar (2025) as Pearl
Other Details
- Hobbies
Horse riding, reading, yoga, cooking
- Favourite Actress
Angelina Jolie, Madhuri Dixit
- Favourite Actors
Shah Rukh Khan, Leonardo DiCaprio
- Favourite Movies
The Notebook, Titanic, Dil Se
- Favourite Dishes
Sushi, Sri Lankan curry, French pastries
- Zodiac Sign
Leo
- Caste
Sri Lankan Burgher
- Religion
Christianity
Contributions Beyond Work
Jacqueline Fernandez is a passionate philanthropist. She supports causes related to animal welfare, education for underprivileged children, and disaster relief. She is closely associated with Habitat for Humanity and PETA India, and actively participates in fundraising campaigns. In 2020, she launched the “YOLO Foundation” to support pandemic-affected families.
Conclusion: The Legacy of Jacqueline Fernandez
From being a Sri Lankan beauty queen to ruling the hearts of millions in India, Jacqueline Fernandez is a symbol of talent, perseverance, and global charm. Despite controversies and challenges, her stardom remains unshaken, and her fans remain loyal. With her stunning on-screen presence and off-screen grace, she continues to inspire aspiring actors and entrepreneurs.
Other Facts:
- Education: Studied Mass Communication at the University of Sydney.
- Languages: Speaks English, Hindi, and French.
- Early Jobs: Was a TV anchor in Sri Lanka before acting.
- Travel Lover: Jacqueline has traveled to over 40 countries.
- Entrepreneurship: Launched a restaurant in Sri Lanka and a fitness brand.
- Fitness Icon: Known for yoga and pole dance workouts.
- Jacqueline Fernandez Citizenship: Holds Sri Lankan citizenship.
- Jacqueline Fernandez Nationality: Sri Lankan.
- Jacqueline Fernandez Instagram: With 70M+ followers, she’s a digital sensation.
- Interesting Facts:
- Multicultural Roots: Jacqueline was born in Bahrain to a Sri Lankan father and a Malaysian-Canadian mother, making her truly international.
- Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2006: Before Bollywood, she was a beauty queen and represented Sri Lanka at the Miss Universe pageant in Los Angeles.
- Trained Dancer: She is professionally trained in jazz ballet and pole dancing, which shows in her high-energy performances.
- Fluent in Multiple Languages: Jacqueline speaks English, Hindi, and French, and has even picked up a bit of Arabic from her time in Bahrain.
- Animal Lover: She’s a strong advocate for animal rights and has posed for PETA India multiple times.
- Fitness Freak: Her toned figure is the result of regular yoga, gym workouts, and a vegan lifestyle.
- Journalist Turned Actress: She studied Mass Communication and worked as a TV reporter in Sri Lanka before joining films.
- Restaurant Owner: Jacqueline owns a restaurant in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which serves Sri Lankan delicacies.
- YOLO Foundation: In 2021, she launched this NGO to help those impacted by COVID-19 through food drives and essential aid.
- Travel Enthusiast: She has traveled to more than 40 countries, often sharing her adventures on Instagram.
- Multicultural Roots: Jacqueline was born in Bahrain to a Sri Lankan father and a Malaysian-Canadian mother, making her truly international.