Twelve to fight it out in AF season eight

KUCHING: Twelve students were selected to participate in season eight of the reality show Akademi Fantasia.

READY TO ROCK: The selected students in a group photo with banners of the sponsors — Cerebos, Maybelline, Modenas, ERA FM and Action Magazines Mesat Publication Sdn Bhd — behind them.

The announcement was made during a press conference and their first show will be on March 13 at 9pm through official channel 104, Astro Ria.

In this season, a total of six female and male students will compete in the reality show.

According to Astro Ria Channel manager Azlin Reza Azmi, as previously, when the programme debuted in 2003, the production of Akademi Fantasia is still with the objective of providing local variations in the content and format of the programme, as well as committed to find and nurture new talents for colouring local music industry.

“We are extremely proud when getting a very encouraging participation from the present batch during the audition which was conducted in five selected states last January.

“In terms of total attendance and increasing number of participants who came to try their luck, we are confident that the number one reality show in this country is relevant to the hearts of fans and the community in general,” she added.

Due to this they are very excited to receive talented participants, especially from Sabah and Sarawak.

It is not surprising that the list of female students for this season is dominated by aspirants originating from the two states, especially Sabah.

Female students comprise Adira also known as Siti Adira Suhaimi, 19; Ain or Nadiawaty Ainul Basir, 24; Anum or Dayang Nor Anum Arjuna Aharun, 19, and Ema or Erma Suhaimi, 21, all of whom are from Sabah.

Meanwhile, Farina also known as Zafarina Jamhari, 28, is from Sarawak and Nad or Nadia Emilia Roselan, 22, is from Selangor.

List of male students as announced are Alif or Muhammad Alif Kadim, 19, from Kuala Lumpur; Iwan or Emirza Azwan Zulazrin Chew, 20, from Negeri Sembilan; Maulana or Muhd Firdaus Maulana Mohamed, 22, from Johor; Daus or Muhd Shahril Fidaus Eli ,22, from Sarawak; Shah or Muhammed Shahril Mohd Saleh Hussein, 26,  from Selangor and Shahir or Ahmad Shahir Zamaw, 22, from Perak.

Akademi Fantasia will be aired by Astro Ria channel 104  beginning with its introduction concerts, AF chamberlain on March 13, at 9pm.

Routine daily lives of students at the Academy will be seen through the daily Diary AF coverage on each day from Monday to Friday starting on March 15.

AF concert will be aired live from Dewan Sri Putra, Bukit Jalil on every Saturday night from 9pm March 20.

Variations in the format of the programme highlighted in this season will see the results of weekly concert and will only be announced live on every Sunday night from 9pm March 21 through Debaran AF.

Format votes is open to 100 per cent SMS votes.

Fans can continue listening to ERA FM or follow the official portal site www.murai.com.my and as well as entertainment magazines to get an official AF ticket for  AF concert and AF free Debaran each week.

In addition, tickets are sold at RM20 for two days on the AF concert (Saturday) and Debaran AF (Sunday) and can be obtained through vendor representatives at Ticket Axcess places following Axcess Office, Jalan Segamat, 1-Utama Shopping Complex, Alamanda Putrajaya Mall, Stadium Putra Box Office, Bukit Jalil, Parkson Sunway Pyramid, Lot 10 Tower Records, Rock Corner The Curve, KLCC Rock, Rock Corner Midvalley Travel University and UC.

For more information, public can visit the website or online www.axcess.com.my 03-77115000.

As was announced at a press conference last month, Sarimah Ibrahim will be paired with another great host Jimmy Shanley.

Norman KRU will be a new principal and will work together with other team of instructors to guide students in making the concert week.

Others in academy are Siti Hajar (Vocal Teacher Tech), Linda Jasmine (Dance Teacher), Abu Hassan Adnan (Teacher for Vocal Performance) and Fatimah Abu Bakar (Counsellor and English Teacher) as well as the talented actor Que Haidar as a Drama Coach.