TV3’S reality programme Mentor 7 is coming to an end, with four finalists — Ranisha, Pasya, Azmirul and Zaaim — competing at the programme’s final concert this Sunday.
At the concert, all four will be singing two songs — a solo and a duet with their respective mentors, namely Datuk Syafinaz Selamat, Aizat Amdan, Hafiz Suip and Siti Nordiana.
The contenders will still be judged the way they had gone through during the weekly concert which began on Nov 4 — they will be getting 50 per cent marks from permanent judges (composer Datuk Wah Idris and singer Mas Idayu), 30 per cent from online votes on www.xtra.com.my and another 20 per cent from the public jury.
Groove talks to the finalists on their preparations and hopes for the finale performance and beyond.
Ranisha, 18, Federal Territory of Labuan (Mentor: Datuk Syafinaz Selamat)
Although she’s happy to be among the four finalists, Ranisha, whose full name is Farranisha Shazwany Mohd Faizul, felt a little sad for fellow proteges of Syafinaz who did not make it through together.
“Whatever it is, the show must go on for me. I hope to do my best and prove to everyone that I deserve to be in the finals,” says Ranisha, who won TV9’s reality show Idola Kecil S5 back in 2012.
“Although I’ve been taking part in various singing competitions since young, I cannot be too comfortable and still need to work hard for this Sunday.
“For that very reason, I believe in challenging myself. So I thought of going out of my comfort zone by choosing a Malay song at the finals,” she shares.
Ranisha is also grateful for friends and family who will travel all the way from Labuan and Sabah to give their moral support this Sunday.
“From what I heard, about 80 of them had promised to come and watch me perform at the finale. Joining them will be my relatives who live in Kuala Lumpur,” she adds excitedly.
Whether she takes home the championship title or not, this protege of Syafinaz hopes that she will continue her father’s dream of making it big in music.
“In his younger days, long before he married my mother, he used to sing in a rock band. So it looks like he won’t have problems with me pursuing a career in music,” shares Ranisha, who also plans to further her studies in music.
Pasya, 24, Ampang, Selangor (Mentor: Aizat Amdan)
Like Ranisha, Faizul Ashraf Fauzi a.k.a. Pasya will also be cheered on by his support group during the finale performance this weekend.
Having been busking in the city for some time, he is thankful that the busking community around Kuala Lumpur is rather a close-knit community.
“Since 2012, the busking scene has improved a lot. While it was tougher when I started out back in 2007, it is not bad now, with some buskers having made it big in the mainstream music scene these days.
While he has yet to determine the concept of his performance, he knows for sure that he will perform the legendary song Bohemian Rhapsody by the iconic 1970s British rock band Queen.
“At this stage, being stressed out doesn’t really describe what I’m going through. I’m sure the same goes with the other finalists.
“Despite a hectic schedule of practice, lack of rest, we must all give our focus in giving our best for the final concert.
“Whatever happens that night, I hope to come out stronger and better, as I need to carry on being a performer. Like any other jobs, I view this career as a responsibility I have to fulfill,” he says.
Azmirul, 24, Seremban, Negri Sembilan (Mentor: Hafiz Suip)
“I’m very thankful to be here (as the four finalists).
“I’m also surprised to see Lazarul out from competing at the finals. But a decision had been made and we all have to comply with it,” says Azmirul, who received many criticisms from Netizens after he was chosen over Lazarul for the final concert.
Azmirul, whose full name is Muhammad Azmirul Hafiz Azman, admits that the negative comments did impact him a little but they had also pushed him to work harder to prove them wrong.
“I know I have a lot to do. It may seem like an impossible task but I can only aim to do my best,” shares Azmirul, whose forte is the Irama Malaysia genre.
Zaaim, 28, Alor Setar, Kedah (Mentor: Siti Nordiana)
“I’d be lying if I say I’m not worried about this final concert. But I’m also excited to be among the final four,” shares the oldest finalist of the programme.
“I hope I will do some justice to my friends and family who will be travelling all the way from Kedah to show their support this Sunday.
“I heard that about 40 of them will be at Sri Pentas 2. Besides those from my hometown, my friends from Kota Damansara will also be there to cheer me on,” shares Zaaim Abdullah, who uprooted himself to the capital city a few years ago for work opportunities.
“Although singing has always been my passion, little did I expect that I’d make it this far,” shares Zaaim, who used to enter singing competitions around Alor Setar while growing up.
“In fact, I already feel like a winner.”
Konsert Akhir Mentor 7 will air on TV3 at 9pm on Sunday. The programme will be broadcast live from Sri Pentas 2, Plaza Alam Sentral, Shah Alam, Selangor.