AFTER keeping her marriage under wraps for a year, singer, rapper and actress Bunga Isme — whose real name is Noor Ayu Fatini Mohd Bakhari — finally shared the exciting news with fans.
The 24-year-old recently confirmed her marriage to composer and lyricist Amzar Sabri, and while some might wonder why she didn't announce it sooner, Bunga has her reasons.
"It's not that we wanted to keep it a secret," Bunga said at a recent press conference in Kuala Lumpur, "but we had our reasons for not announcing it."
The couple, who tied the knot last year in a quiet ceremony with just family, wanted to keep things low-key.
Bunga said their close-knit wedding, held after she completed her studies, was "a blessing" she didn't see coming.
"We wanted a peaceful start to our relationship without the pressure of public attention," she said, expressing a bit of relief at finally being able to open up.
"Both families wished for it to be intimate, and since only Amzar and I are in the public eye, we respected their request to keep things private."
Although she held back from a public reveal, Bunga gave fans subtle hints of her wedded bliss.
On Hari Raya, she posted photos of herself and Amzar, which included the caption, "Eid Mubarak to all from the two of us. Praise be to God, through the prayers of our family and friends, we are finally united".
He even added that the cryptic hashtag #YTJT — meaning "If you know, you know".
While fans speculated, the two stayed quiet, allowing the mystery to build.
With the news out, Bunga can finally embrace her role as a wife and an artiste.
She's more ready than ever to share her music and passion with her fans, taking on a major role in the 2024 Warner Music Fest tour.
Rocking Warner Music Fest 2024
Bunga is also buzzing about hitting the stage for the Warner Music Fest 2024.
This music tour kicked off on Nov 3, marking its 11th year of live performances across eight universities.
"I'm excited to be part of the Warner Music Fest!" Bunga said.
"Touring the country, performing at universities with other amazing artistes — it's a dream come true." Bunga will join fellow Warner artistes, such as Amsyar Leee, Dinda Dania, Luqman Podolski, Rizal Rasid, Syamel, TUJU, Wani Kayrie, and Zynakal, in taking the music directly to the people.
This is the first time the Warner Music Fest is held in Sabah and Sarawak. Launched in 2012, the festival went on a brief pandemic hiatus, but returned in 2022, delivering an opportunity for young Malaysian fans to connect with their favourite artistes.
Bringing the beat across Malaysia
The excitement kicked off at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak on Nov 3, and the tour will continue across the country, bringing unforgettable performances to Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (Nov 9), Universiti Utara Malaysia in Kedah (Nov 11), Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang (Nov 20), Universiti Teknologi MARA in Selangor (Nov 21), Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris in Perak (Nov 29), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (Dec 7), and ending at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia in Johor (Dec 10).
Warner Music Malaysia managing director Dinesh Ratnam expressed his enthusiasm for this year's festival and its mission to nurture local talent.
"At Warner, we are committed to showcasing and supporting local artistes," he said.
"This festival is about more than just music. It's about community, creativity and highlighting the incredible talent Malaysia has to offer."
Dinesh said the festival held a special place in the hearts of university students, who eagerly look forward to it each year.
"We want to bring music directly to the people who inspire so much of it — our youth. This annual university tour lets us connect the local music scene with the younger generation, helping to foster a vibrant music culture in Malaysia," he added.
Unforgettable moments and electrifying performances
Fans can expect not only unforgettable performances but also meet-and-greet sessions with the artistes themselves.
University students will have a chance to chat with their favourite stars, snap selfies and perhaps even snag some signed merchandises.
"This Warner Music Fest is even more special because we're teaming up with various brands and sponsors," Dinesh said.
"And for the first time, we're working with Hot FM as our official radio partner, giving the festival even broader coverage across Malaysia."
For Bunga, the Warner Music Fest is the perfect stage to connect with fans, and to showcase her artistry as a performer.
"It's all about the energy," she said. "I'm grateful to be part of something this big and to share my music with people from all over."