Jacqueline Fernandez (born 11 August 1985) is a Sri Lankan actress, former model and the winner of Miss Sri Lanka Universe 2006. She is primarily noted for works in Hindi Films. She has received several nominations and awards, and she is considered as one the most popular celebrities in India.

After reigning the Miss Universe Sri Lanka, she came to India, through a couple of assignments, suggested by her manager, she went to audition for her debut filmAladin, and was cast in the movie in 2009. She rose to prominence in the 2011 film Murder 2, and received positive acclaims for physical beauty. Later, she gained mixed reception and public recognition for her alluring roles in Race 2 and Housefull 2. Following her acting career, Fernandez is a social activist, she participates in stage shows and is a celebrity endorser for brands and products.

Fernandez was born on 11 August 1985,^[1][2][3] to a Sri Lankan Burgher father^[4] and a Malaysian mother.^[5] At the age of three her family, including her three siblings^[6] moved to Bahrain,^[7] where she spent most of her childhood.^[8] She moved to Australia for her college degree in Mass Communications, and then moved back to Sri Lanka where she worked in modelling, and television reporting and hosting.^[9] In March 2006, Fernandez was crowned the Miss Sri Lanka Universe2006^[10] and subsequently represented Sri Lanka at Miss Universe 2006 held in Los Angeles where she was unplaced.^[11] In 2007 Jacqueline appeared on a Music video of Sri Lankan singing sensation Bathiya and Santhush which was her first commercial appearance.^[12]

From there she began receiving offers to go to India for more modelling, and she got selected for a Bollywood film.^[9] She has worked as an anchorwoman on one of Sri Lanka's business programs called "Lanka Business Report". She also writes a weekly column for a national newspaper, the "Daily mirror". Jacqueline also has a non-profit organisation in Sri Lanka focusing on empowering the underprivileged. She has come in a VIP ad with Shahid Kapoor^[13] Jacqueline Fernandez lately experienced that being in the film industry requires some compromises. This is the reason for her ending her two year old relationship with Bahrain prince Sheikh Hassan Bin Rashid Al Khalifa, in the interest of her career.

Fernandez made her acting debut in the 2009 Bollywood fantasy movie Aladin opposite Ritesh Deshmukh. She played a character inspired by the Disney Princess character of Jasmine.^[14] For her performance, Fernandez received mixed reviews, with Anupama Chopra of NDTV calling her a "plastic debutant".^[15] However, Taran Adarsh of BollywoodHungama complimented her more on her looks, rather than her performance by saying, "Jacqueline Fernandez gets no scope, but she looks gorgeous nonetheless.^[16] In year 2010, she was seen once again appearing alongside Ritesh Deshmukh in the romantic comedy Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai. She received mixed reviews for her performance. While Google wrote,"Jacqueline Fernandez is fabulous. Her acting is too sweet and cute. Apart from her stunning beauty, she is talented to the core.", Rediff criticized her by writing," She gamely makes a fool of herself whilst aping the actions of movie stars, ranging from Sridevi's Naagin dance, Mithun Chakravarthy's Disco Dancer moves to Big B's violent headshake in Hum. Her Tara could be a keeper if only Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai wasn't so intent on turning her into a love-struck Barbie.^[17] She also made a cameo appearance in Sajid Khan's Housefull in the song 'Dhanno' which was a big success, hence giving her positive recognition.

In 2011, Fernandez appeared in her third film, Mahesh Bhatt's thriller Murder 2 which went on to become a huge blockbuster. Fernandez played the role of Priya, a lonely model who is in a confused relationship with Arjun Bhagwat, played by Emraan Hashmi. Fernandez grabbed a lot of attention for the boldness and sex appeal she displayed in the movie, with her performance receiving decent reviews. OneIndia Entertainment said, "Jacqueline being bold and sexy grabs a lot of eyeballs for the oomph factor. Her performance is decent."^[18] Taran Adarsh of BollywoodHungama said, "Stepping into Mallika's shoes in the sequel is Jacqueline. Like Mallika, she takes the boldness quotient to the next level with her sexy avatar. She should grab a lot of eyeballs for the oomph factor, while her performance is decent. In fact, she gets little scope to display histrionics, but she makes a sincere attempt to portray her character with care."^[19] Murder 2 launched Fernandez's career for the good, as she started getting offers from big production houses. Post Murder 2 success, Fernandez turned down many roles, such as Raaz 3, to avoid being type cast as a sex symbol.^[20] She was also considered for Bindu's iconic 'Mona Darling' act in the remake of Zanjeer but she walked out from the project for the same reasons.^[21] She also turned down a role in Krrish 3, but that was due to date conflicts.^[22] She ranked at #7 in Time's Top 50 Most Desirable Women of 2011.^[23]

In 2012, Fernandez appeared in Housefull 2 with an ensemble cast which included Akshay Kumar, Asin and Rishi Kapoor. It became one of the top grossing productions of India that year and grossed 186 crore (US$28 million) worldwide. Also, Fernandez received positive reviews for her performance. Gaurav Malani of Times Of India stated, "So Jacqueline Fernandez wins the race with her gorgeous looks..."^[24] Mrigank Dhaniwala of KoiMoi said, "Of all the girls, Asin and Jacqueline Fernandez get the meatiest of roles and they do not disappoint."^[25] Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama gave a mixed review by saying, "Amongst the female leads, Asin has the meatiest role and gives a decent account of herself. Jacqueline, Shazahn and Zarine act more as eye candy. They are the typical sultry and enticing selves; each one is befitting in her own space."^[26]

Fernandez's first release of 2013 was Race 2 alongside Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Ameesha Patel and John Abraham.She described her character as the "most negative character" she has played.^[27] Although the film was described as the "cinematic equivalent of a trashy novel" by most critics,^[28]she received mostly positive reviews for her performance. Lisa Tsering, of The Hollywood Reporter stated, "Miss Sri Lanka Jacqueline Fernandez, a leggy beauty with a talent for action who now counts seven Indian films under her belt, is another plus. Welcome to Bollywood, Miss Fernandez".^[29] Joginder Tuteja of Indicine mentioned, "Jacqueline has a bigger part to play and she does it well while looking her best."^[30] Komal Nahta commented, "Jacqueline Fernandez is also sexy and stylish."Indiaglitz stated, "Deepika Padukone looks delicious and does a fabulous job so is Jacqueline Fernandez who shows improvement as an actor."^[31][32]Despite this, the film opened to a high positive response at the box office,^[33] and emerged as a major financial success, collecting 162 crore (US$25 million) worldwide.^[34] She ranked at #8 in Times Top 50 Most Desirable Women of 2012.

Fernandez appeared in an item number in Prabhu Deva's Ramaiya Vasta Vaiya which released in July. She was appreciated for the song. Taran Adarshcommented," Jacqueline Fernandez and Prabhu Dheva's song is high on energy."^[35]

As of July 2013, Fernandez has begun filming for Sajid Nadiawala's action film Kick opposite Salman Khan, and pre-production work for Vicky Singh's romantic-action film Roy opposite Ranbir Kapoor.^[36]Fernandez is also currently shooting for Chandran Rutnam's crime-thriller According to Mathew and approached to act in Prince of Malacca.^[37]

In addition to acting in films, Fernandez has supported charitable organisations, and performed for stage shows. In the early 2013, on the behalf of people for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia, she sent a letter to the consulate general of the Philippines in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to expedite the transfer of the elephant Mali from the inadequate Manila Zoo to a lush sanctuary.^[38] That year, she auctions a breakfast in Mayfair, London which she raises around £4000 for helping Pratham (her friend's) NGO involving for Children's primary education.^[39] She then went on to join hands with PETA in order to prevent cruelty to horses.

She had performed at the 55th Filmfare Awards,^[40] IIFA Awards and Apsara Awards, as well as at the Temptations Reloaded in Auckland alongside, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji and Madhuri Dixit.^[41]

Fernandez made her first commercial alongside Hrithik Roshan for Sony Ericsson.^[42] Later, she became popular after appearing in a Pepsi commercial with Ranbir Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt.^[43] She has appeared in a commercial with the actor Aamir Khan for Titan Watches.^[44] Fernandez is also the brand ambassador ofNestlé's brand Maggi^[45] and Lux in Sri Lanka.^[46] In early 2013, she became the ambassador for HTC One which she endorses in India.^[47] and, she was chosen as the face of Indian Bridal Fashion Week—IBFW of 2013.^[48] On 16 October, she launched Gareth Pugh's designed Forevermark Diamonds in Mumbai, as the spokesperson^[49] and inaugurated Forever 21 store in Mumbai.^[50] That year, she also launched Gilette revolutionary shaving system with Arbaaz Khan and Aditya Roy Kapur.^[51]

In 2011, a poll conducted by the newspaper, Times of India ranked her #7, among ''Top 50 Most Desirable Women''. Following, the next year, she ranked #8, in the second version of the poll. In the early 2013, Indian [edition] FHM magazine, ranked her at #21; of ''100 Sexiest Women In The World 2013.''^[52] In the same year, a newspaper, ''World Actuality'', ranked her #23, among the ''most beautiful women in the world.''

She has graced the covers of many Indian editions of magazines, including Vogue (June 2010), FHM (January 2013),^[53] Maxim (June 2011), Cosmopolitan (March 2013 & April 2012), Grazia (February 2012),Elle (September 2012),^[54] Verve (March 2012),^[55] Harper's Bazaar (May 2012), Women's Health (May 2012), L'Officiel (December 2012) and Femina (July 2010) among others.^[56]