Five of the most consistent contestants have made it to the finals of Akademi Fantasia 2014, writes Dennis Chua
FIVE finalists usually battle it out at the finals of Akademi Fantasia (AF), and one is the occasional wildcard contestant voted back in by viewers via Short Messaging Service (SMS) from the eight eliminated contestants.
The wildcard or AF Masuk has been used in the reality talent show five times - in the second, fourth, seventh, eighth and 10th seasons. Wildcard contestants have so far managed to secure second place in their respective seasons, except for Shahir Zawawi who bagged top prize in the eighth season.
This time, AF Masuk is AF Serap as principal Datuk Hattan and his team of instructors have picked the most deserving of the eliminated students as the wildcard, based on merit alone.
The lucky student is former beauty queen Adeline Masidah, or Adel in short, who was announced at the ninth weekly concert last Sunday.
Adel, 22, from Tambunan, Sabah, has always been a crowd favourite, thanks to her consistency and versatility. In fact, no-nonsense chief judge Datuk Ramli MS has consistently praised her for doing a great job every week.
Her elimination in the seventh weekly concert shocked fans and principal Datuk Hattan felt that voters had “failed to work hard” to keep her in the race.
Now that she is back, and judging from AF history, it can be a safe bet for viewers to see Adel finish second or first.
TALENTED, SERIOUS BUNCH
The other finalists are Firman Bansir, 25, of Tawau, Sabah, Ikhwal Hafiz Ismail (or Ewal), 22, of Teluk Intan, Perak, Nuha Zainordi, 22, of Klang and Aman Aziz, 22, of Malacca.
Two other strong contenders to win are Firman and Ewal. Ewal is the most high-profile finalist, as he did the country proud clinching four gold medals and a silver at the 12th World Championship of Performing Arts 2008 in Hollywood.
The “little guy with a big voice” sings in 14 languages and plays the piano, guitar and drums. Music runs in his family as his father is ex-Wings member Ismail Zainuddin or Mel. He first sang at 4 and started composing at 12.
Among the boys, Ewal and Firman are the most consistent. They excel in rock, and their supporters, like Adel’s, are among the loudest in every weekly concert.
Universiti Teknologi Mara music student Nuha has been on steady footing too. With a soulful voice, she has sung in former AF host Datuk Aznil Nawawi’s talk show Macam-Macam Aznil. She also writes and composes her own music.
Traditional pop fan Aman was initially shy and weak in his performances, but motivation from Hattan, who paired him with outgoing tough girl Nuha in the students’ dance sequence Menuju Puncak, has helped strengthen Aman’s self-confidence.
Hattan, who was one of the reality talent show’s no-nonsense judges in seasons five and nine, is delighted and honoured to mentor a talented, serious bunch.
“While some of them were a little slow at the start, I’m happy to see much improvement in their performances each week,” he says, adding “being a judge has mentally and physically prepared me for the task ahead”.
JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY
Hattan has been enthusiastically following AF and other reality talent shows that discover new singers and entertainers over the years.
“I’m happy that every AF principal has, in his or her year, moulded at least one student-contestant into a bankable singing starlet. While most of the champions have carved their niche in showbusiness, non-winners have also done admirably well, by becoming award-winning singers and songwriters,” he says, citing Aizat Amdan and Hafiz Suip as two of the most outstanding AF graduates.
As principal, he says, his “aim is to not only mould students into good entertainers but also into talented composers and songwriters”.
Hattan has lived up to his no-nonsense perfectionist image as chief instructor of a bankable team of six including Linda Jasmine Hashim (choreography instructor), Siti Hajar Ismail (vocals instructor), Fatimah Abu Bakar (English language and motivational instructor), Datin Marlia Musa (performance instructor) and Acis (music instructor and music director).
He subjects every student to a weekly evaluation and some are told point blank to get rid of their annoying habits on stage.
“All my students have to be serious in acquiring performing arts knowledge and must be hungry for victory. Going into the entertainment world is not about having fun. I encourage each of them to excel in his or her genre of choice. At the same time, I will challenge them to move out of their comfort zones and be more versatile.”
He says each student has to brand himself to win over fans effectively.
“There’s no hard and fast rule with regards to branding. Originality is a must,” says Hattan, adding that composing and writing one’s own music is a plus point.”
ALL ABOUT THE TALENTS
In the finals tonight, contestants will sing two songs — a cover version of popular songs and a new composition.
The show will be judged by actress Raja Azura and former AF principal Ramli, with one guest judge to be unveiled tonight.
The contestants also get their strengths assessed online after every weekly concert by season six champion Stacy Anam and season seven champion Hafiz.
Zany Zizan Razak is co-hosting the concert with former Hot FM personality Faizal Ismail and daily Diari AF host Jihan Musa.
Astro entertainment channel group head Azlin Reza Azmi says this year’s return to the old format is the result of feedback from viewers who wanted AF to follow the original show introduced 11 years ago.
(Last year’s low ratings was said to be the result of a completely new format).
“Isolating the student-contestants for 10 weeks of intensive lessons was what made AF popular in the early years, so we’re returning to that format,” says Azlin.
AF 2014 final is on tonight at Shah Alam City Council. It will be aired live on Astro Ria (Channel 104) at 9pm.