KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 — From a chance encounter at a radio station to a romantic proposal atop Mount Kinabalu, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman and actress-singer Bella Astillah have given fans plenty of moments to swoon over.
Now, after months of speculation, coy denials and social media hints, the pair are preparing to say “I do” today, in what is already being dubbed the wedding of the year.
The couple, affectionately nicknamed “BASS” by fans — a combination of the initials of Bella Astillah and Syed Saddiq’s names, finally confirmed their romance in March this year, when Syed Saddiq shared a video of his mountaintop proposal before the pair celebrated their engagement.
With wedding celebrations planned across Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Sabah, the countdown is well and truly on.
As the 33-year-old politician and his 32-year-old bride-to-be prepare for their big day, here’s a look back at the moments that brought BASS together — from their very first selfie to the proposal that had everyone talking.
Where it all began: A chance encounter (2022)
Long before wedding bells were on the horizon, Bella, whose real name is Dayang Ara Nabellah Awang Astillah, and Syed Saddiq had already crossed paths.
During a TikTok ‘live’ broadcast in April 2025, Bella revealed that she had first met the former youth and sports minister three years earlier, in 2022, at a radio station.
According to Bella, she was sitting and looking at her phone when Syed Saddiq walked past and stopped to greet her.
She immediately stood up to acknowledge him before he asked how she was doing, followed by a few more questions that Bella jokingly described as “typical YB questions”.
Bella also remembered him as humble and down-to-earth, saying he continued to make time for people even when he was tired.
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and Bella Astillah pose for their first photo together during a chance encounter at a radio station in 2022, long before romance blossomed between them. — Picture via social media
Their first encounter even produced a selfie, after Bella asked to take a photograph with him. Syed Saddiq obliged, using his own phone to capture the moment.
Syed Saddiq, meanwhile, recalled being delighted that Bella had posted the photograph and tagged him on social media.
Little did fans know that the snapshot would eventually become one of the earliest mementoes of their love story.
From friendship to music video co-stars (2024)
By 2024, Bella and Syed Saddiq had grown closer, although both were navigating difficult chapters in their personal lives.
Syed Saddiq was awaiting the outcome of his appeal against a 2023 High Court conviction involving criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property and money laundering.
Bella, meanwhile, was going through a highly publicised divorce from Singaporean singer-actor Aliff Aziz following a khalwat (close proximity) controversy involving Aliff and actress Ruhainies at a Kuala Lumpur condominium in March.
The couple divorced in June, with Bella being granted custody of their two children.
But by October, Bella was making headlines for a rather different reason — her music video for the single Tapi Bukan Denganmu, featuring none other than Syed Saddiq.
Trading his political duties for a white coat and stethoscope, the Muar MP made a cameo appearance as a doctor.
According to news outlet Majoriti, Bella had personally invited Syed Saddiq to appear in the video, revealing that the two were already good friends who frequently played badminton together.
It was a collaboration that gave fans plenty to talk about — and, in hindsight, another memorable chapter in the BASS story.
Romance rumours and growing closer (2025)
Their growing closeness also owed something to an unexpected twist of fate.
Syed Saddiq later revealed that he had been Bella’s fourth choice for a Raya fashion photoshoot after three other potential partners were approached.
Bella had contacted him at the last minute to ask whether he would take part, and he agreed without even asking which fashion brand was involved.
The collaboration proved to be a turning point in their friendship, bringing the pair closer and eventually taking them on a promotional trip up Mount Kinabalu.
In January, the pair, who had become ambassadors for the local fashion brand, were seen scaling the mountain dressed in traditional Malay attire.
The unusual combination of mountain climbing and traditional fashion caught the attention of social media users, many of whom began wondering whether friendship had blossomed into romance.
Syed Saddiq was also becoming an increasingly familiar face on Bella’s social media accounts.
Not everyone was convinced, however, with some suggesting their apparent closeness was simply part of the fashion brand’s marketing campaign.
But the speculation only intensified.
In March, Bella made another notable public appearance alongside Syed Saddiq when she attended his appeal proceedings at the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya.
Her presence was widely seen as a show of support, although neither was ready to put a label on their relationship.
Weeks earlier, Syed Saddiq had already given fans another reason to speculate after posting a romantic TikTok video showing him swimming through the sea and rain towards Bella.
The caption? “I’ll climb every mountain, swim every ocean”.
@syedsaddiq I’ll climb every mountain, And swim every ocean…. @bellaastillah @primavalet
Sumpah Dan Cinta Matiku – NIDJI
Bella was once again by his side in June when the Court of Appeal overturned his conviction, joining his family and supporters at the Palace of Justice.
Even then, Bella remained tight-lipped when reporters pressed her about the nature of their relationship.
By September, the pair were making headlines once again, this time much further from home.
Bella and her two children were spotted holidaying with Syed Saddiq in France, where she was reportedly supporting him as he competed in the Ironman World Championship.
Their increasingly public appearances continued to fuel romance rumours, although neither had officially confirmed they were a couple.
Love reaches new heights: The Mount Kinabalu proposal (2026)
If 2025 was the year of hints and speculation, 2026 would be the year BASS finally made things official.
In January, the pair returned to Mount Kinabalu for another adventure, this time accompanied by Bella’s eldest son, Mohamad Ayden Adrean.
What initially appeared to be another mountain-climbing expedition later turned out to have a romantic surprise in store.
Syed Saddiq had proposed to Bella at the summit.
After months of keeping fans guessing, the politician finally shared a video of the proposal on the morning of March 28, confirming their relationship as the couple prepared to celebrate their engagement that same day.
It was a fittingly romantic reveal for a pair whose Mount Kinabalu adventures had become such a memorable part of their story.
The couple later celebrated their engagement at an intimate ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.
Bella looked elegant in a pastel-blue modern baju kurung with a matching veil, while Syed Saddiq complemented her outfit in a coordinating baju Melayu, complete with samping and songkok.
He also carried a bouquet of flowers.
The engagement was formalised when Syed Saddiq’s mother, Sharifah Mahani Syed Abdul Aziz, slipped a ring onto Bella’s finger.
But it was the politician’s heartfelt words about Bella and her children that proved one of the ceremony’s most touching moments.
According to the New Straits Times, Syed Saddiq declared himself “the luckiest man on earth” before delivering an emotional tribute to Bella and her two children.
“I want to make it clear: I love Bella not in spite of her situation, but I love her because of her children as well, Ayden and Ara. I hope they can accept me into their lives.
“While I may not be able to dance like Ara, I hope she welcomes me.
“As for Ayden, I look forward to training and learning from him. They are both wonderful children,” he said.
His emotional tribute moved those in attendance, including Bella, who was seen wiping away tears.
The engagement even caught the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who congratulated the happy couple and cheekily reminded them not to forget his wedding invitation.
Wedding bells and VIP invitations (2026)
With their romance finally out in the open, attention soon turned to the next big question: When would BASS walk down the aisle?
In July, the Federal Court upheld Syed Saddiq’s acquittal after dismissing the prosecution’s final appeal, bringing his long-running legal battle to an end.
Bella Astillah embraces Syed Saddiq’s mother, Sharifah Mahani Syed Abdul Aziz, after the Federal Court upheld Syed Saddiq’s acquittal. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin
The following month, the couple delighted fans by announcing their October 10 wedding date on social media.
By September, wedding preparations were in full swing.
The pair embarked on a series of high-profile courtesy visits across Malaysia and Singapore, personally delivering invitations to senior political figures and mentors.
Among them were former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, the late Tun Dr Hasmah Mohamad Ali, whom the couple visited in September before her death later that month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Singapore Health Minister Ong Ye Kung.
More recently, BASS held a press conference to share details of their upcoming celebrations, revealing that their solemnisation (akad nikah) would take place on the 118th floor of Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur today.
The couple also announced plans for wedding receptions in Kuala Lumpur, Muar and Kota Kinabalu, including two public celebrations dubbed Kenduri Rakyat on October 25 and 31, respectively.
And for fans who have followed their romance from the beginning, there is more to look forward to.
Their journey towards marriage is also being documented in Astro’s eight-episode special, Walimatul Urus Bella Astillah & Syed Saddiq, which premiered on October 6, while the solemnisation ceremony will be broadcast ‘live’.
From a casual selfie at a radio station to a proposal above the clouds, it has been quite the journey for Syed Saddiq and Bella.
Now, with wedding bells almost ringing, BASS are ready to begin their next chapter together.