Dewi makes comeback with first English single ‘I Love You’
MIRI: Having made her mark in the music and entertainment industry after winning world titles for her singing talent, Kuching-born singer Dewi Liana Seriestha continues to venture out of her comfort zone by making a comeback with a new single titled ‘I Love You’.
Not one to rest on her laurels, the Malaysian pop and classical singer, model and former Miss World Talent title winner in 2014 has raised the bar for herself yet again, by releasing the first English single this year after her debut single ‘ Seindah Berdua’ which was released under a major label in 2017.
When contacted by The Borneo Post recently, Dewi said all this while she was enjoying her time shooting a music video for the new song in Negeri Sembilan.
“After Seindah Berdua came out among the top 30 songs in the country that made it to the semi- finals of Muzik- Muzik in November last year, I continued to release my second single ‘I Love You’ this year.
“Now, I am busy with the making of a music video for my first English single before I move on to produce my third song. The music video will be released soon,” she said.
Dewi said that ‘Seindah Berdua’ and ‘ I Love You’ are available online through iTunes, Spotify, Joox, KKBox, Apple Music, YouTube and Amazon platforms.
“Thanks to my supporters and I hope they will continue supporting me. In return, I will strive to give my best to all,” said the 29-year- old singer of Indonesian, Chinese and Bidayuh parentage who has been pursuing a music career for over 13 years.
Dewi started her career in the Malaysian music and entertainment scene at the age of 16 as contestant on the first season of a reality singing series, ‘Mentor’ under the tutelage of vocalist Liza Hanim.
After her secondary school, she moved to Kuala Lumpur and spent four years honing her craft in performing arts school Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan (Aswara).
While pursuing her studies for a Diploma in Music (vocal classical), Dewi often sang at private functions and dabbed in acting.
In July 2014, she represented Malaysia at the World Championship of Performing Arts in Los Angeles and bagged six awards in the vocal categories.
Dewi continued to represent Malaysia in Miss World 2014 a few months later.
“There were various subsidiary titles up for grabs and I had my eyes set on the Miss Talent title.
“At first, I did not know if I could carry the song, an operatic number from The Phantom of the Opera, but I worked very hard and practised for three hours each day with vocal coach Syafinaz Selamat,” said Dewi who outshone Miss Scotland and finally emerged as champion in the Talent category.
Undoubtedly, the international achievements had opened doors for Dewi to various opportunities in hosting and modelling as well as her lifelong passion – singing. She later signed with Warner Music Malaysia in 2015.
“The moment I came back, Warner reached out to me. I was incredibly honoured because it means that they felt I was good enough to be a part of an international music label,” she disclosed.
On Seindah Berdua, the first song released by Warner, Dewi said: “It’s one of my biggest dreams to have a song in the semi-finals of Muzik. That song is special because it combines pop and classical elements.”
During the Muzik- Muzik 33 competition last year, Dewi belted out Seindah Berdua going against the very same singer who mentored her on Mentor where she got her start – Liza Hanim who performed her song titled ‘Mimpi’ which was also placed among the Top 30.
Dewi said all those years ago, she and Liza were on the same stage as mentor and protégé. She was excited but also nervous as this time, they were on the same stage as artistes competing against each other.
“Liza told me she knew I have been through a lot, and she is proud of me for all the things I have achieved over the years,” she added.