KOTA KINABALU: The Week 5 concert of Akademi Fantasia, Season 9 on Saturday night saw a massive improvement by all students, especially Sabahan finalists Queenera Francine Francis Kitingan or Nera and Lenaber Haidir or Lena.
Lena ranked third with 12 per cent of votes after Hazama and Fina, while Nera ranked sixth with nine per cent of votes.
The Telipok born Lena, who sang an Indonesian song called Ku Menunggu by Rossa, impressed visiting judge Edrie Hashim, who offered Lena his song if she can make it to the final.
Edrie said Lena has a very good voice tone and strong potential in singing career.
Permanent judge Hattan however did not feel that Lena has challenged her vocal ability to the maximum level since the first day she joined the reality TV show.
“There is nothing wrong for you to sing this song but it is too easy. Lagu celah gigi je (the song is very easy compared to your ability).
“Lena should sing something that will challenge her vocal ability,” he said.
Ogy Ahmad Daud, the other permanent judge who was very ‘hard’ in her comments on the students’ performance, suggested the production of Akademi Fantasia take the risk of choosing a song for Lena next week.
Another Sabahan finalist, Nera also improved her performance on Saturday.
Her pretty face made her rendition of song Gelora Jiwa by Saloma almost perfect on the stage where she performed in a sexy pink dress.
Edrie Hashim complimented Nera on her sexy appearance, saying that melted male members of the audience.
Only Hattan was not impressed with Nera’s vocal even though she has a very good tone.
Ogy, the only judge who complimented Nera’s voice in the previous concert, praised her again, saying she has improved.
Ogy had always said that Nera got her votes because of her pretty face, but not on Saturday.
At the end of the show, Lena and Nera were not eliminated but their fans should be more supportive by sending more votes to keep them going.
The concert also saw Afif unexpectedly eliminated from the show although he was very consistent in his performance.
His votes were not enough to beat Fina and Hazama who were ranked bottom at the beginning of the show.
Meanwhile, the host Aznil Haji Nawawi disclosed that Akademi Fantasia 9 has broken the viewers’ record with 1.5 million views this year.