KUALA LUMPUR: When the fifth season of Gegar Vaganza (GV) opened yesterday, fans of last year’s champion Aishah were surprised that she did not perform as the opening act.
Instead, GV4 runner-up Liza Hanim and GV3 runner-up Siti Sarah Raisuddin took the stage at the live concert at the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) before the 12 contestants were introduced.
Some Netizens, upset that Aishah did not sing, claimed that the Janji Manismu singer might have been “kept away” from GV5 because of her allegations of being shortchanged by the show’s frequent sponsor.
Among those who expressed unhappiness over Aishah’s absence from the concert was FJ who tweeted: “Aishah’s been denied her right to sing. Tradition in GV says the champion, not the second-placed, opens the show.”
Is said: “This is discrimination, producers. Just because she spoke out, you didn’t get her to sing as the opening act.”
Aishah, nevertheless, advised them to “cool it” and tweeted: “It’s OK Netizens.”
Astro Entertainment content development strategy head Raqim Ahmad when contacted, denied that the station was at odds with Aishah.
He said: “We respect all past winners of GV and they are all part of the GV family who made the programme a success.
“Based the programme’s history, there has not been any requirement or template which says that the past winner opens the new season.”
He revealed that GV1’s contestants were introduced by singers Black and Aweera, while GV2’s were introduced by Tomok instead of GV1 winner Ayai.
“It was only in GV3 that we had the top three of GV2 — champion Siti Nordiana, first runner-up Farahdhiya and second runner-up Ezad Lazim as the opening acts.
“Siti Nordiana returned to open GV4, alongside Ayai and GV3 winner Azharina Azhar,” said Raqim, adding that Astro wanted to avoid predictability in each season.
He also said that permanent judge Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim was replaced by legendary Indonesian singer Hetty Koes Endang in GV4, yet made a comeback this year.
Singers contesting in GV5 are Amelina, Zamani, Hetty Sarlene, Dia Fadila, Noryn Aziz, Elite, Forteen, Mya Ruslee, Farawahida Razali, Safura Yaacob, Shafie of Rio and Billy Zulkarnain.
Judged by Datuk Ramli MS and Khadijah, the show which sees Nabil Ahmad and Jihan Muse returning as co-hosts.