FOR TV host and actress Scha Al-Yahya, who is one of two permanent judges in TV3’s new reality programme Lagu Cinta Kita, the task is quite challenging.
The programme, adapted from a popular TV show from Vietnam titled Love At First Song, is a singing competition which pairs two contestants of different genders, with the ultimate objective of finding the best duet pairing.
“This is not the regular duet singing competition. The challenge is that the contestants will not know who will be their duet partners until they get on stage,” shares the 35-year-old fashionista.
Scha, who will monitor the contestants’ appearance and outlook on stage, admits that it is hardly a walk in the park.
“While I won’t be evaluating the contestants’ vocal capability, I will focus on their body language and the chemistry they have with their duet partners.
“After the initial audition conducted by (composer) Ajai, together with the production team, Ajai and I discussed further on the pairings,” she explains.
To make it more interesting and fair, no one pairing will boast two contestants with great vocals.
“While one may have powerful vocals, his or her duet partner may need a little more work. We’ll be mixing them up and see how they help or complement each other when they take to the stage,” says Scha.
ONSTAGE CHEMISTRY
The other judge is singer-songwriter Hael Husaini who will be evaluating contestants’ singing capability.
“I’m proud to be part of this TV programme and take this judging responsibility seriously,” says the champion of the 32nd and 33rd Anugerah Juara Lagu for his songs Jampi and Haram respectively.
The 31-year-old believes that the format of this show is fitting as the contestants are ready in all aspects.
“To take part in a reality programme, one needs to be physically and mentally ready and strong. And of course, we want to look for the one with that X-factor,” says Hael, who has competed in various reality shows such as TV3’s Mentor Season 3 (2009) and Astro’s Akademi Fantasia Season 10 (2013).
Adapting to new situations is key and all the 16 contestants will be paired beginning from the first episode.
“Not only that, they will not know whom they’ll end up with as their duet partner. This means they will be rehearsing on their own,” he says.
“Once they meet their duet partner on stage, they are expected to complement each other. The ability to adapt and rise above the challenge and perform well is what will make them stand out from the rest.”
Scha says that as the title suggests, there may be romance between the contestants.
“When it comes to matters of the heart, we don’t interfere. But if love blooms and the pair decides to get married, their wedding may be sponsored by sought-after wedding planner Reka Teemor.”
However, even if romance does not bloom, they will still walk away with RM50,000 cash.
The five-episode Lagu Cinta Kita, to be hosted by Nana Mahazan, will premiere digitally and exclusively on TV3Malaysia YouTube channel on April 19 at 9pm. It hits the small screen on April 21 at 3pm on TV3.