Jacqueline Fernandez made a striking appearance at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where she was also recognized at the Women in Cinema gala hosted in collaboration with the Red Sea Film Foundation. In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Jacqueline opened up for the first time about the recent loss of her mother, Kim Fernandez, who passed away in a Mumbai hospital on April 5, a fact previously confirmed by her team.

Jacqueline Reflects on Her Mother’s Passing
Speaking about the emotional toll, Jacqueline said, “I feel fortunate to have spent the last few months with her. But there’s always that lingering thought — ‘Could I have done more?’ Coming to terms with it is a long and difficult process. Honestly, I still haven’t.”

Following Her Passion for Acting
She continued, “I think about what she would have wanted… She was always my strongest supporter. Coming from such a modest background, the idea of becoming an actor was unusual. I was nervous to even tell my parents that acting was my true passion — something I had dreamed of since childhood. I only opened up about it when I was around 18 or 19. But they never hesitated. Parents go through so much with us in this industry — the scrutiny, the spotlight. It takes immense strength to support someone through that. She was always proud of me, and I know she’d want me to keep going and doing my best.”

Jacqueline, who was born in Manama, Bahrain, comes from a diverse background. Her mother, Kim, was of Malaysian and Canadian descent, while her father, Elroy Fernandez, hails from Sri Lanka.

On the professional front, Jacqueline will next appear in the upcoming film Housefull 5.