PETALING JAYA: Datuk Siti Nurhaliza may have rocketed to fame after winning a traditional singing contest Bintang RTM, but she is all for reality talent shows’ graduates, despite the “short cut artistes” label which detractors call them.
“There are many ways aspiring singers can make it in the music industry. Some make it on their own and some participate in singing contests. But the trend today is to graduate from reality talent shows.
“And whichever ways they choose, at the end of the day, what counts is their passion, hard work and commitment to their chosen profession, and those who truly display such qualities, truly deserve to win,” said Siti in an interview at Earth Studio Asia in Taman Mayang Jaya here, today.
Siti said this when responding to social media comments that over the last decade, there have been way too many “instant noodles” singers emerging from reality talent shows (where winners were determined by audiences’ Short Messaging Service (SMS) votes).
She said it would not be fair to label reality talent show graduates as such because they too, worked hard under the no-nonsense guidance of their respective mentors to become credible singers.
The only difference between them and other singers is that the latter group built their talents “off the radar”, while the first group is trained under the watchful eyes of their instructors in reality shows.
“It is true that reality talent show winners are voted by the audiences, but those who have entered the music industry and thrived are then assessed at music awards just as I was, by professional judges from the industry,” said Siti, who has also judged some local music awards.
Citing Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) as an example, Siti said Malaysian Idol (Season 1) champion Jaclyn Victor’s Gemilang was a deserving Best Album at AIM 2006, and likewise One In A Million Season 1 runner-up Faizal Tahir’s Aku Muzik Kamu which won Best Album at AIM 2008.
“Hafiz Suip, winner of Akademi Fantasia (Season 7), had a superb winning tune Awan Nano at the Anugerah Planet Muzik 2011. He also deservingly took home Popular Regional Artiste in Anugerah Planet Muzik 2013, plus the Best Duo/Collaboration award, which he shared with me,” added Siti.