SABAH STYLE: A contestant from Kota Kinabalu performing.
KOTA KINABALU: Fifty-eight finalists from throughout the stated converged at Suria Sabah yesterday to battle it out once again for the coveted 20 spots that will see them through to the grand final of Sabah Idol 2012 to be held on Dec 30 at the same venue starting at 1pm.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman is expected to attend the glittering event along with the patron, Datuk Peter Pang and the event advisor Datuk John Ambrose.
The year’s biggest event will be covered by RTM and to be telecast at a later date via Astro channel 180, TVi.
Organiser and managing director of Borneo Events Production, singer Peter Dicky Lee said, “This is one of the toughest finals I have ever seen. The 58 contestants coming from as far as Tawau, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Kudat, Labuan, Beaufort, Tambunan, Kuala Penyu, Tamparuli, Tuaran, Kota Kinabalu and Penampang are all out to outsing, outdance and out-gimmick each other to qualify for the grand final.
“My panel of professional judges have a really heavy load on their shoulders because most if not all the contestants are actually exceptionally talented,” said Peter. “But eventually what we are really looking for is the ‘Wow’ or ‘X’ factor — the total package encompassing the voice, looks, talent and the ability to mesmerise and entertain audiences,” he added.
The champion will bring home prizes worth more than RM15,000 which will include cash RM5,000, Star Cruise holiday worth RM4,500, All Fit one-year membership worth RM1,500, air-ticket voucher worth RM500, Pulau Tiga Resort holiday package for two, recording contract, a trophy and certificate.
The first and second runners-up will receive prizes worth RM10,000 and RM7,000 respectively
including cash RM3,000 and RM2,000 plus a two-night cruise, one-year All Fit membership, air ticket voucher, Pulau Tiga holiday package plus trophy, certificate and a recording contract.
The third and fourth runners-up will receive prizes worth RM5,000 and RM4,000 respectively while all subsidiary title winners, including Most Popular, Most Creative, Best Costume, Best Showmanship and the newly created title Most Promising will receive cash RM500, a trophy and certificate.
There will be a lucky draw during the final where the public will have a chance of winning several attractive prizes in the form of hampers and food vouchers sponsored by City Grocer, Gardenia and Burger King.
Leading the panel of judges are Malaysian celebrity Datuk DJ Dave; art director of famous international stars like Katy Perry and Kylie Minogue, Roshan who is specially flown in from the US; Felix Agus of AF3 fame; Kurniadi, a record and studio recording company director from Indonesia; RTM’s Arnez Hamidi; recording star Rozza Rothman and Esther Applunius, and Dangdut Queen Juraidah Gaus, Bintang RTM finalist Marcel Gatisi and Taiko Media studio boss singer Dahlia.
RTM’s Hafrina and Ebi of AF5 fame will serve as master of ceremony while local beauty queen and actress Chloe Majinbon will serve as the event’s envoy.
MASwings specially flew in all the outstation finalists from Tawau, Lahad Datu, Sandakan and Labuan while Gaya Centre Hotel is the official hotel.
The other sponsors are Hoko, Snips Academy, Airworld Travel & Tour, Sipadan Dive Centre and Suria FM as the official radio.