KUALA LUMPUR, August 10 – Controversial Singaporean actor and singer Aliff Aziz is regaining his footing in the entertainment industry once again following a hiatus after a turbulent 2024. 

Despite having a quiet 2025, the 35-year-old is now back taking up acting roles not just on screen but he also recently secured a leading role in Datuk M.Nasir’s Malay musical epic Mansur & Liu, where Aliff will play Sultan Mansur Shah of the Malacca Sultanate. 

Talking to local media following the Mansur & Liu press conference at Istana Budaya recently, Aliff shared that while he avoids using the word ‘comeback’ lightly, the term holds a far deeper meaning for him this time around.

“The comeback for me is that instead of looking outwards, I am now looking inwards – by fixing all the things that I could. 

“I need to be honest with myself about where I can improve, and find a way to forgive myself for my past actions – because that’s the only way I can move forward. 

“It’s not that I don’t reflect on what happened throughout my career, but for how long can I keep looking back? I’m 35 now and I want to spend the rest of my time in this industry focusing on positive things,” he said. 

He added that he is focusing on self-improvement by acknowledging his own flaws. 

Admitting he has no control over public perception, Aliff chooses instead to stay focused and remain grateful for the opportunities in front of him.

Apart from Mansur & Liu, the Sayang Sayang singer is also the lead actor for iQIYI drama series Madu Atau Racun, starring alongside actresses Uqasha Senrose and Elisya Sandha which premiered earlier this month on the streaming platform. 

He is also set to appear in an upcoming untitled Indonesian series where he will share the screen alongside award-winning Indonesian actress Acha Septriasa. 

Elaborating more on his return to the industry, Aliff shared that he is currently in his ‘grateful era’, deeply appreciative of the unwavering support from his family, close friends, and industry peers.

Reflecting on his past missteps, he drew on a driving analogy shared by a friend—noting that while it is fine to glance in the rearview mirror, staring into it for too long inevitably leads to a crash. 

Moving forward, he chooses to keep his eyes on the road ahead, treating the past as a reminder rather than a destination.

“If in the future I encounter a similar situation, I pray that I can make better decisions. 

“I’m living my life now trying to stay optimistic and healthy – hitting the gym and watching what I eat, though without being overly strict. Taking care of these small habits gives me a much better outlook in life. 

“Whatever comes my way, I trust that Allah will guide me forward – what happened yesterday serves as a lesson to keep moving forward,” he said. 

His latest career comeback comes on the heels of a tumultuous 2024 after making headlines following his highly publicised khalwat case alongside actress Ruhainies Zainul Ilyas, an incident that ultimately led to the dissolution of his eight-year marriage to singer and actress Bella Astillah

Aliff and Bella share two children together — son Ayden Adrean and daughter Ara Adreanna — following their marriage in 2016.