KUALA LUMPUR: Baby Arin, as she was once known, makes a comeback to the local music scene, this time around, as a solo artiste.
This former group member of popular Res2 fame wants to start anew. For starters, the 36-year-old is now signed under Warner Music (M) Sdn Bhd and goes by the name Lilo Khalil.
She is banking on her brand new single Mahkota Cinta.
Born Lila Zarina Khalil, she went through a controversial period in her life as a teenager when she was with the 90s all-girl group. Criticised for her wild partying and revealing outfits, Lilo has since moved on from those dark episodes, hoping to start on a fresh and clean slate.
“I admit I had a stormy past. I was very young then and you tend to be easily influenced. But not anymore, with age comes wisdom. Give me a chance to move on,” she told the New Straits Times recently.
The feelings of sorrow and regret were evident in Lilo’s voice as she expressed her disappointment towards people’s perception of her all these years.
“No one can run from their mistakes. If I keep being the person I was in the past, then people would still see me the same way. I am constantly working at improving myself.”
Making a comeback into the music industry has been Lilo’s plan ever since three years ago. But due to unavoidable circumstances, her comeback was delayed.
“I started singing when I was 14. I really do miss performing, and the reason for my comeback is for my own self-satisfaction, not to seek fame or to compete with any artiste.
“I know there are more active singers today, born from either reality shows or being discovered by record labels. I believe that one’s rezeki differs from another, and everyone has her own talent and even opportunity to prosper in one’s chosen field,” she said, admitting that she initially had doubts whether her fans from her Res2 years would accept her new image and music.
“If I didn’t try my luck (to make a comeback), I wouldn’t know if I would succeed or not. Thankfully, I’ve received tons of support and encouragements, not only from my family and friends but also fans of Res2.
“Their words give me the motivation to keep on going, and I think I’m going to be just fine.”
Res2 has been inactive since 15 years ago. And throughout those years, Lilo has been performing in local theatre productions, which include SuperMokh, The Secret Life Of Nora and P. Ramlee The Musical. She was either part of the ensemble cast, or played understudy roles.
Lilo said that was how she brushed up on her performing skills. “The spare time I had didn’t go to waste. I channeled my energy towards the performing arts,” said Lilo who owns an F&B franchise establishment in Kerteh, from which she receives a little side income.
On her latest single, Lilo roped in her close friend Nazrae, a member of the now defunct 90s popular male vocal group Shades, to be featured in Mahkota Cinta.
The ballad is composed by Helen Yap with lyrics by Buddi Hekayat.
Lilo had Nazrae in mind for the duet since they have been good friends from their active days in their respective groups right up till now.
“We’re friends who support and help each other out in times of need. A talented vocalist, I suggested that together we should make a comeback through this single.”
Asked on why ballad and not the upbeat pop genre that Res2 was known for, she laughed and said: “I am not young anymore and at this age, ballad would suit me better.”
On naysayers who think that she is too old and that her time has passed to return to the music scene, she commented that everyone was entitled to his or her own opinion.
“To me, it is all about the song, not whether the singer is young or old,” she said, adding that current music listeners are more discerning.
A divorcee from a marriage that took place when she was 25, Lilo’s focus is entirely on her return to the music scene.
“When God closes one door, he opens another. Besides, being in a relationship is too complicated for me right now.”
These days, Lilo still keeps in touch with her fellow Res2 members, and there have been talks that they will regroup.
“There are parties who want us to perform as Res2, but we’ll see how things go. As for now, there are no plans yet but who knows right?”
On releasing a full album, Lilo said it was still too soon to embark on it. “I think it’s best I work on making my new stage name more familiar first,” said Lilo, who is currently in the midst of promoting Mahkota Cinta.