The greatest love of all
ND Lala talks about letting go of her daughter, singer Shila Amzah, on her wedding day.
IT’S not easy for popular 1980s singer ND Lala to let go of his daughter, Mandopop star Shila Amzah, who just got married on Apr 19.
“Whether I’m ready to let go or not, it doesn’t matter, the time has come. The most important thing is I have to learn how to start my life from now on without Shila,” said ND Lala, who has devoted his life to managing Shila’s career for many years.
“From when she was a child up until now, 28 years old, we’ve faced so many things together in career and in life. There are so many great memories. I don’t have words to describe how I feel now, but I’m very proud of her,” he added.
Shila began her music journey after placing second on reality talent series One In A Million in 2007. After achieving considerable success locally, Shila made the country proud when she won a singing competition in China, Asian Wave.
The homegrown singer gradually built a name for herself in the Chinese market, coming in third two years later when she competed against veteran artistes in IAmA Singer in 2014.
ND doesn’t directly manage Shila’s career anymore. “I started a management company earlier on. So I manage the company and this company manages her career. Of course, the decisions (on her career) still comes from me.”
While letting go is hard, ND said he rests easy placing her in the care of his son-in-law Haris Idraki Elias, who works in the finance sector in London.
“He respects the Malay culture and us as parents,” ND described the qualities he admires most in Haris.
“Haris spoke to me through Skype and asked me for my blessing. He said if he couldn’t get blessings from both the parents on both sides, he won’t proceed further and take another step in their relationship,” ND explained.
Shila has known Haris for many years but they only started dating about three months before getting engaged last November.
“Secondly, he told Shila and I that he wants to give his full support to her career when they are married. I’m really happy because that means Shila can continue her ambitions as a singer,” ND said.
Shila was clad in a flowy black ensemble at the wedding reception, held in a hotel at Putrajaya. The couple looked resplendent as they took their place on the wedding dais (pelamin), decorated with giant lanterns and a variety of flowers in shades of pastel.
The night saw performances by her sister Syada Amzah, Ruffedge – a local band Shila grew up listening to, and Jampi hitmaker Hael Husaini.
Shila herself sang two songs, Ed Sheeran’s Perfect and her original Mandarin ballad, If We Are Getting Old, with her eyes fixed on Haris.
The newlyweds were all smiles as they fielded questions from journalists at the end of the night at a press conference.
“I’ve been wanting to wear black. I think it’s rare and unique. I already wore white during the solemnisation ceremony. Also, I’m quite rebellious,” she explained her choice of outfit during the wedding reception.
Haris chimed in: “It’s a great choice, she looks stunning.”
Shila may be based in Hong Kong and Haris in London but the singer believes the long distance is no obstacle for the couple.
“I’ll follow my husband wherever he will be. But when it comes to work, I will go to Hong Kong and China,” she said.
Asked if they’ve talked about having kids, Shila revealed: “Maybe a couple. But not right now.”