DESPITE a long, successful career as a singer, vocal teacher and a critic on a reality show, Datuk Syafinaz Selamat feels the pressure in delivering her best for her upcoming role as a mentor.
The 45-year-old will appear in the seventh and latest season of TV3’s popular singing reality show, Mentor, but she admits to feeling the jitters for a few reasons.
DON’T FRET
Those who follow the local music scene will be aware that Syafinaz has a reputation of being strict when it comes to teaching.
Perhaps, due to that, Syafinaz is afraid many will not want to audition to become her protege. “I promise I won’t bite!”, she said with a laugh.
“I’m not garang (strict). It’s my responsibility to give people the boost that they need.
“I only want to help shape talented individuals to become the artistes they wish to be, I am more than ready to impart my knowledge to them.”
Syafinaz joins Hafiz Suip, Siti Nordiana and Aizat Amdan as mentors.
COME PREPARED
“Being a mentor is not a walk in the park. The burden is on your shoulders to guide and train the talents into becoming their best.
“It takes a lot of work to build a strong game plan. The right strategy is needed and what’s most important is cooperation from both ends – the mentor and the mentee,” added Syafinaz.
“I’m confident that the proteges will achieve what they want if they put their minds to it.
“But I’m no magician who can turn anyone into a popstar sensation. The hard work and determination need to come from the talent themselves. I’m only there to give them the boost they need.
“Come prepared for the audition. It doesn’t matter if they don’t have any background in music, but they should be fast learners and adapt, and try new things.”
Ideally, she wants individuals with confidence, possess strong vocals and have a clear picture on what they want to achieve.
MARRIED? NO PROBLEM
Mentors Hafiz and Siti Nordiana prefer unmarried individuals due to concerns of their commitment to the show, but Syafinaz is fine if the talents have tied the knot.
“Regardless of marital status, what matters most is that you are committed, and won’t skip training,” she said.
RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME
The show’s executive producer Muhamad Sufian Che Isa said that it took him many tries to convince Syifaniz to be a part of the show. On why she had declined the offers previously, she said: “It’s not that I never want to do it. It’s just that my work schedule didn’t allow me extra time to be involved.
“I was juggling my career as a lecturer and other projects. I still am juggling jobs which means my schedule is still very tight but I figured that if not now, then when?
“So I decided to dive in and give it a go. I don’t know how I am going to manage my time but I’m hopeful it will all fall into place.
“I’m excited at this journey. It’s going to be interesting.”
Auditions are at Hotel Promenade in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on Aug 19, followed by Sri Pentas in Bandar Utama on Sept 8 and 9 (Syafinaz), Sept 15 and 16 (Aizat), Sept 22 and 23 (Hafiz), and Sept 29 and 30 (Siti Nordiana).