Amelia Henderson Serves Up Style and Strength with Goldheart

Being in the public eye can be daunting. The pursuit of fame and fortune often leads one onto a path so perilous that only the strong of heart will survive. Amelia Henderson knows this all too well. Having poured herself into the entertainment industry since she was a child, she wears her disillusionment like a well-worn ring, familiar and tinged with a hint of nostalgia. She understands that all that glitters is not gold, but carries on all the same for her love of the craft.  

But that is not to say that she has it all figured out. Every so often, she finds that her worldview, shaped by the generation that preceded hers, is at odds with the mindset of the present. In the age of clickbait, faux outrage, and viral obedience, the actress is forced to put on a brave face, teetering on a tightrope that separates credence and cancellation. The age-old moral posturing is exacerbated by the hyperconnected yet paradoxically detached society. 

On a fine Thursday morning, she finds herself amid the cacophony of Pickle Depot, of which she is a co-founder. Draped in Goldheart’s elegant yet featherlight Everyday Essential Diamond Jewellery collection, she expresses herself through the minimalist designs embellishing her sparkle points. Their ability to transition from day to night mirrors her versatility on and off screen. They also send a message of her unwavering spirit, as she relinquishes her desire to fit into the impossible moulds thrust upon her. 

Just like diamonds, Amelia does not break under pressure. If anything, she now thrives off of it.

In your two decades of navigating public scrutiny, who or what has proven to be your most formidable opponent? 

Yeah, it’s definitely me. I’m a bit of a perfectionist. It’s my biggest blessing and challenge. I know perfection doesn’t exist, but I always try to get as close as possible. I feel that if you’re spending time on something, why not do it to the best of your ability? That mindset pushes me to keep improving. But that also means that I am my own worst critic. When things don’t go the way I imagined, I get dejected. Over time, though, I’ve become more chill. I have learned to reframe those moments—not as failures, but as fuel to try again until it becomes easy.

What has been the most scathing experience in your career? 

When I got hit with a lawsuit a couple of years ago—it was terrifying. It was the time when people started forming harsh opinions about me. But for me, it was about standing up for something I believed in. In entertainment, you’re often expected to follow the status quo, stay quiet, and not rock the boat. But at that point, I felt I had to choose what was right for me, even if others disagreed. I wasn’t trying to be an activist—I just wanted clarity. That’s what the trial was for. Though I eventually won, court is still not something I’d ever want to go through again.

How do you decompress and reconnect with yourself after all that? 

I just keep going. Of course, you are going to make mistakes or feel misunderstood. But at some point, you have to let go of people’s opinions of you. You can’t control them—only your intentions. Try your best, learn from your mistakes, and move on. On the topic of decompressing, I watch a lot of TV shows. Right now, I’m catching up with season two of Severance. It’s so good! I, of course, play pickle to blow off some steam as well. I also boulder a lot—I have a bouldering injury that makes me feel like a real athlete.

You have taken up acting, hosting, and producing in recent years. How do you stay on top of it all?

Here’s the thing: I come from a solo background—commercials, dancing, acting—where you’re entirely dependent on yourself. But at some point, you realise you can’t do it all alone. It’s about building a community or infrastructure around you because you can do so much more together. In the past couple of years, I’ve focused on that. It’s more fun and fulfilling when you’re doing things with people you care about—it feels like family—and you don’t feel so lonely in the pursuit.

Has your definition of success changed since the early days of your career?

My definition of success depends on what you’re talking about. Blood Brothers: Bara Naga was objectively successful based on ticket sales and revenue. But for me, it was a success because everyone on set felt happy with how they presented themselves and that we got to work with each other. It was more than just numbers—the behind-the-scenes felt really successful too. That kind of group satisfaction isn’t always easy to find. So, to me, that is what success means.

How do you choose the projects you want to pursue? 

It’s mostly about what my team and I decide is a great thing for us to do moving forward. I may be the face of the operation, but it takes a village to run all these ventures. I’m not doing every single aspect by myself. If that were the case, I wouldn’t be able to be so spread out and leveraged. So whatever we choose to do, it has to feel right. There isn’t a formula to it. If we believe we can do it well, commit, and make sure it turns out how we envision, then we’ll do it. That’s how it’s been for the past couple of years.

Tell us about Pickle Depot. How did it come to be?

It is so exciting because it’s our first, big offline project. My company, ATHQ Media, has always focused on digital—like the Studio Sembang podcast—because that’s what we believe in and what the current social landscape reflects. But Pickle Depot is a brick-and-mortar space, something tangible, and a big step for us. It started when my brother, who’s also one of my business partners, got a call to view this beautiful space at Sentul Depot. We went there, walked around, and thought, “What would be the perfect fit here?” 

And you guys landed on pickleball. 

At the time, the three of us had already started playing pickle and loved it. We saw the potential, imagining people playing pickleball in this stunning place, and it made sense. We also noticed there was enough space for more. We envisioned pickle courts on one side, padel on the other, and an F&B space in the middle—a place where we’d love to hang out with friends. So we brought in another partner who’s an expert in construction, assembled our “Avengers” of pickleball and padel, signed the tenancy, and started building.

What was the biggest challenge in getting it off the ground?

The same challenges any business faces: managing timelines and finances, and making sure we put our best foot forward. But I’ll say that one of the biggest hurdles was deciding on the quality of the courts. There were faster, cheaper options that were “good enough”, but we didn’t want it to be just good enough. We had a lot of back and forth on how to manage finances without cutting corners and we always chose the harder option. But it’s paying off. People notice the difference—like the bounce on our floor, which has six or seven layers.

Have you always had a passion for staying active?

I got into ballet at a really young age. I loved the competitive side as it gave me a sense of purpose and drive. That feeling of wanting to improve, to hit a new personal best, has always stuck with me. It’s the same with sports. They give life meaning through constant self-improvement. Sports also matter to me because they keep our bodies young. To me, health is wealth, and staying active helps delay pain and chronic illness. We only get one body, and I’m passionate about taking care of it. Pickle Depot brings all of that together. 

How has that shaped your lifestyle or career choices?

The way I see it, having ballet be a part of my life made me a workaholic. There are pros and cons to it, just like there are pros and cons to the opposite of whatever that may be. But I just love working, I love trying to achieve something. I love trying to set a new personal best, whether that be at work or in my personal life. So I spend a lot of time just thinking about what I want to do next and the best way to keep growing and achieving new things.

You’ve long been admired for your impeccable style and eye for accessories. How does jewellery fit into your fashion philosophy? 

I love jewellery so much—you’ll never see me without it. My mum always says, “If you have piercings, do not leave the house without earrings.” That stuck with me. For me, accessories have the power to complete a look, just like how others feel about fragrance. I especially love rings. They give me a fun, non-committal way to dress up an outfit. The right accessories can change the vibes, from glamorous to casual. If you know how to style it, the outfit works for you—not the other way around.

Are there certain designs you’re especially drawn to?

I always wanted a statement style, like a “gold-only girl”, but that’s just not me. My style depends on the day. Some days, I want to look super feminine with delicate pieces, others edgy with black and silver hardware. I like switching it up—maybe it’s the actress in me. Also, in Malaysia, actors often bring their own wardrobe and accessories to the set, so I’ve styled many characters of mine over the years. I kept many of those pieces, and now I mix them into my daily looks. It’s fun to try on different aesthetics and see what fits.

Which Goldheart jewellery piece you’re wearing today do you love the most?

I love the bow necklace! I really like the rose gold bracelet with lots and lots of little charms—it’s very cute. There’s one bracelet that features a ball and chain design, which I think is so unique. It has that gritty, industrial vibes and yet the diamonds in the centre kind of soften the silhouette a little bit. It feels like a juxtaposition of two cool things. But yeah, the bow necklace is my favourite.

What can your fans expect from you next?

I have a new movie coming out in September called Magik Rompak, which I am excited about. The film pushes me out of my comfort zone. I usually go for emotional, heavy characters—I love crying scenes!—but this one is different. The character I play is edgy, cool, and tougher than anything I’ve done before. So I’m excited for people to see it. On the business side, we’ve just launched Padel Depot and our F&B space is opening by the end of this month. I’m toying with a few new ideas, but that’s going to take some time. I won’t do it unless it’s perfect.

Watch as Amelia confronts her greatest enemy—and most cherished ally—in Goldheart’s Unbreakable:

CREDITS

PRODUCER / NIKITA NAWAWI

VIDEOGRAPHY / SADDAM AMIN ASSISTED BY KHAIRUL SYAZWAN

MAKEUP AND HAIR / ERANTHE LOO

WARDROBE / ALO YOGA & ALLSAINTS

Shop Amelia’s look on Goldheart’s website, and for more articles on watches and jewellery, click here.

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