Challenge for Akademi Fantasia alumni
In a one-off eight-week musical battle, Astro reunites ex-contestants from all 13 seasons for the Akademi Fantasia Megastar, writes Dennis Chua
The AF Megastar contestants.
GRADUATES of Astro’s Akademi Fantasia (AF) are reuniting for a special “all-stars” edition, but of the 13 seasonal champions, the five biggest names will be absent due to work and family commitments. The best known graduate Asmawi “Mawi” Ani from AF3 is filming on the set of 2018 thriller Munafik 2, inaugural winner Vince Chong has English theatre assignments, and singer-choreographer Stacy Anam of AF6 is busy with her first child, Eshaal Hakim, born in February.
Rocker-comedian Hazama Azmi of AF9 is busy recording new singles, and it is the same for frequent Anugerah Juara Laguwinner, Hafiz Suip of AF7.
Vince, Mawi, Stacy, Hafiz and Hazama will obviously be missed by fans but producer Astro Ria insists fans need not despair; Akademi Fantasia Megastar, as the special edition is known, will feature 24 memorable contestants from seasons one to 13.
Only one of them will be crowned the “megastar” amongst the AF alumni, and he (or she) will take home RM100,000. Astro will also award cash prizes to runners-up.
A FRESH SHOW WITH A
REUNION TWIST
The show also has a brand new venue close to the “traditional” Wisma MBSA, Shah Alam — the Royal Theatre which famously hosts Astro Malay channels head Raqim Ahmad said the time for a reunion is now, because 13 is “lucky number” — contestants have come from 13 states on an average of 13 per year. Furthermore, Malaysia’s 60th anniversary of independence warrants a commemorative edition of Astro Ria’s first reality show and “star product”.
has always been a star of our station, helping discover new talents in music as well as in acting, songwriting, composing and hosting programmes on television and radio,” he said at the launch of in Zouk, Jalan Tun Razak on Wednesday.
“A total of 173 contestants from around the country have been part of the family and while they have not achieved an equal measure of success in the entertainment industry, all have undoubtedly grown wiser and stronger from the experience.
is a great opportunity for fans to catch up with them, and to cherish and share fond memories of learning and performing together in the spirit of 1Malaysia, under the kindly guidance of experienced instructors.”
Raqim said Astro felt vindicated each time graduates won entertainment awards locally or internationally, as it showed they had made full use of the knowledge they had gained from the academy.
PROFESSIONAL SPIRIT OF COMPETITION
The eight champions in Zahid Baharuddin of
, Mila Jirin
Faizul Sany
Sufi Rashid Masdi
The other 16 contestants are Rosma Sidik Adam Mat Saman, Bob Yusof and Anding Zaini Marsha Londoh, Amylea Azizan and Idayu Yaakob Nubhan Ahamad Aril Pilus
Adira Suhaimi Amir Jahari
Azhar Osman and Indah Ruhaila Hussein Ikhwal Ismail Syamel
and Ara Johari
Fodzly
are Faizal Ramly Shahir Zawawi Firman Bansir
and Amir
“As they are now professionals in their own right, we will not be getting them quarantined and isolated in a secret academy with instructors. Instead, they will sing the songs of their choice in weekly concerts and seek help from their own vocal instructors to prepare themselves.”
Sixty per cent of the marks will be determined by professional judges — both permanent ones and weekly guests — and the rest by sms votes.
Raqim said: “In the first two weekly concerts titled on Sept 3 and 10, only judges will award their marks.”
MORE FUN AND SURPRISES
Raqim added that the show will not only feature the contestants; guest appearances by other members of the alumni such as principals, instructors and critics, will feature every week.
Fans may get to see award-winning singer-songwriter Aizat Amdan from and TV actress Ayda Jebat from arguably the biggest names who however, did not make it to their finals.
Datuk Aznil Nawawi, who hosted the first five seasons, and the ninth one, is back as host. “AF is the show which made me a household name. I’m always happy to return, as a judge or host. Over the years I’ve kept in touch with most of the contestants and I’m happy to see that many of them have become successful singers, actors, television personalities and businessmen.”
Ikhwal said while he had been singing prior to joining the personal guidance given by the show’s instructors greatly helped him “step up” in the competitive music industry. Sufi, from Singapore, thanked for opening its doors to contestants from the neighbouring country and said it helped him penetrate the Malaysian market.