Siti Nurhaliza LIVE (from a T11 perspective)
I had the good fortune to watch Siti Nurhaliza in concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium a couple of days ago. I was seated at section T11 of the terrace area, and from my viewpoint, Siti Nurhaliza was about the size of my extended thumb. But Oklah; still managed to see (albeit vaguely) her facial expressions and the large screen on either side of the stage helped alot too.
About 845pm.
Iskandar Ismail, or more affectionately known by the media as Eiss nowadays, came onstage and performed two solos. The first was his “hit” single (the title of which I’ve completely forgotten) and I gotta admit, the guy has the vocal chops to make it big. I wasn’t too crazy about his cover of the Marc Anthony song though. When he started singing the opening verse of Bagaikan Sakti, the theme song of Puteri Gunung Ledang, I could practically hear the whole stadium wait with bated breath, expecting Siti to join in at the appropriate verse. A mellifluous voice did resound and was met with thunderous applause and wolf-whistles, but only to be replaced with embarrased laughter and cries of dismay when a close-up on the huge screens revealed that it was NOT Siti.
The Siti clone, (some girl named Mahirah who won the recent Sing Like Siti contest) did have a slight resemblance to Siti (but maybe it was just the tepong-gomak make-up??) and she has a similar vocal tone. However, Bagaikan Sakti has a difficult melody and it was quite apparent Mahirah’s upper register could not hit some of the higher notes properly. Still, it was a commendable effort for an amateur. When the opening act came to a close, a cursory check of my surroundings showed that there were still people (makciks, pakciks, mats and minahs, of varying shapes and sizes), going up and down the steps — either heading to their seats or otherwise. A very disturbing sight indeed…
Eiss & Mahirah — this is the best my lousy digicam can do… =(
About 9pm.
All the lights in the stadium went off, except for some showy floodlights from the front of the stage. Siti’s unmistakable crystal clear voice then rang out, singing the opening bars of Dialah DiHati without music accompaniment. When she finally appeared centerstage in a gorgeous purple kimono/kebaya-like thingy, and illuminated by a single spotlight, it was as if all hell had broken loose; People were clapping, cat-calling, whistling and whatever. Numerous flash-bulbs from digital cameras went off; Camera-phones were whipped out — The “purple-dress” segment had begun and Dialah DiHati kicked off the concert to a promising start.
The concert is starting!
I never liked Kumilikmu but Siti’s rendition that night was an exception, probably due to the altered arrangement of the song. Altered for the better also was Badarsila, which was given a unique, middle-eastern twist but I think Siti’s performance for this song would have been much better if accompanied by backing dancers.
However, they did eventually appear during the traditional-songs segment, which was up next, and Siti zipped offstage and came back in an orangey dress. Nirmala was her opening number for this segment and it was a flawless rendition, with a couple of charming conversational interjections to tease the audience abit. I don’t think I’ve ever heard this normally tedious song sung any better before. A couple of nondescript traditional songs followed, but it was Lagu Rindu and then, Cindai which finally got the audience’s attention. By the closure of Siti’s second act, the audience, it seemed, was willing to stand up and dance or clap in unison, according to Siti’s persuasive directions… Except of course, for those spoil-sports (like yours truly!) who couldn’t be bothered to “participate” in such activities :p
Siti then went off to don a turquoise gown for the third and last segment of the night, starting off with a pared-down rendition of Jerat Percintaan. It was a goosebumpy performance and Siti did not let the mood dissipate at the slightest as she delivered a medley of well-chosen ballads, with Purnama Merindu and Kau Kekasihku being the most effective pieces from this set. Bukan Cinta Biasa was a Siti-audience collaboration and I was amazed at how melodious-sounding the audience was during the chorus! Even Siti herself commented that it was indeed, almost like a “choir”! Very cute seh…
Another lousy picture from my digicam…
A cover of Na Ying’s Zheng Fu was Siti’s effort at promoting racial harmony and multi-culturism and I must admit that her Mandarin isn’t too shabby at all. Nevertheless, from what I know, it wasn’t her first time performing this song onstage. Get Here was Siti’s solo English offering for the night and while the vocals were in fine form, the weird hand gestures (was Siti attempting to joget melayu??) were unsuited to the jazzy style of the song. But all was forgiven when Seindah Biasa was belted out as the final showpiece. Again, another magnificent offering from Siti, nothing like I’ve heard before on recordings or previous live performances.
About 1050pm.
Siti bid goodbye, goodnight and left the stage. The band started playing an unrecognizable instrumental piece… Most of the audience members in the Terrace section had begun filing out toward the exits. More and more seats became vacant but those in the more expensive areas were busy clapping away (instinct told me to keep myself glued to my seat). Suddenly, around five minutes later, Siti’s plaintive sweet singing pleaded the audience to “Tunggu Sekejap…”
Out she came, (perhaps she went for a much-needed toilet break?) and proceeded to give a heartfelt thank-you speech and dispense proper introductions for her accompanying band and crew. An encore set was in order and Siti asked the (remaining) audience to select a song for her. A unanimous cry for Percayalah was heard and thus, within the next few minutes, I believed I bore witness to the most beautiful rendition of my favorite Siti song ever. A more raucous version of Cindai followed and it was indeed a fitting, celebratory end for the concert of one of the malay music industry’s most successful and talented singers.
About 1115pm.
End of concert. Time to balik!
On the whole, I felt that the concert was too brief, and I had left the stadium wishing she had sung some of her more obscure, yet spectacular songs, such as Ku Menunggu, Kurniaan Dalam Samaran or Nian Di Hati. For something which was supposed to be a replica of the grand Royal Albert Hall concert, the number of songs were modest and so were the costume-changes and dance-choreography. Probably, Siti was limited by the size of the pathetic stage; the band itself already took up more than half of the available space onstage.
There was also plenty of room for improvement in the almost barren set design/decor and the slow response of the lighting engineers to Siti’s movements during many instances. Acoustics-wise, I can’t really tell whether it was any good but thankfully, there were no technical glitches. Siti’s repartee with her audience was entertaining enough although after awhile, I got a little sick of the endless “I love you! I love you all! Siti sayang kamu semua!” Then again, Siti wouldn’t be the Siti we’ve all grown to love if she didn’t say all this mushy stuff, right?
From start to finish, Siti came across as a genuinely sweet, nice and sincere performer and it is difficult to find anything truly disagreeable about her. In the end though, I think it didn’t matter much really, how unimpressive the stage, how inefficient her crew, or how unglamourous her dresses looked — all I had to do was to close my eyes and listen to that angelic voice, sans music, and then I’ll know, I am in the presence of a bona-fide talent, and a gifted artiste.
review from http://blue-streak.blogspot.com/
Simply Just Siti…
Ok this thread is all abt ct, that fans wrote up from their blog… so I just help to copy and paste it over here..
“Azlinah O.K.” wrote:
“Where the hell is A033 block??!” My heart screamed as I was frustrated in walking up and down the steep flight of stairs at the Indoor Stadium looking for my free seat. My aunt that had been tailgating me was beginning to complaint!! I hardly put my foot in this stadium, till I think its worth the money spent on the tickets. And now my footsteps are all over the flight of stairs just for Siti!
… At lastt!!!.. I got the seats. Hmm..the seating position is not too bad… A good fengshui indeed as we are facing the left side of the stage. During the whole show, my body was turned sideways as to get a good view of the whole show. Luckily my body didnt ache after that…. if not it will not be a good fengshui after all?!
A melodious voice ( without any music) creeps into my ears and sent a shivers down to the nerve of my body.. and it marked the beginning of Siti Nurhaliza Live! 2005! Startled I was! Didnt cross my mind that she will start the show by singing the lyrics… Bisikan Sambayu….. Seumpama Naskah Yang Terbuka…from my beloved song “Dialah Di Hati”. Goose pimples on my skin after which was really obvious. Her voice filled up the stadium strong and solid…putting away any chance for other substance to penetrate. I was frozen for a few seconds… and when the beat of the music start to step in….. I realized the blessing that God had granted Siti with her voice! Thank God and SYABAS Siti!… If Malaysia BOLEH.. Siti tentu BOLEH!!! eheheheh
A stream of her collection of songs began to fill the atmosphere one after the other gradually…… Each and every of her songs made audience falling in love with her … deeper and deeper. The audiences were really hunger for her voice.. her musics… her traditional songs. At that time, they just want Siti to sing on and on… and on. We know she’s not a robot..but we just want that from her. Unexpectedly, the way the audience responded was not the Singaporean I knew. They sang with her.. dance with her .. and kept wanting to interact with her. Is this the new S’porean?? Whatever lah…. For me, I was just too mesmerized by her voice that I let it flow naturally thru my ears..mind and heart. She was fantastic and her performance improved vastly as compared to the last one I attended a few years back!!
Two of my cousins who are largely inclined to English musics and style came for the show. In terms of their language proficiency, they are kind of average and below when it comes to Malay….but for some reasons or another, they joined to watch Siti Live Concert that particular night!.. I knew I enjoyed the concert as I was able to recognize and understand the songs..and even sing along thru out the concert. But will my cousins enjoyed as well??!!! You KNOW WHAT??!! They definitely DID!! Both of them start humming Siti song after the show…and they excitedly revealed that they enjoyed the show. Now, they had even starting to “menghayati” (have a feel) of the song…and burning her songs from my CD!! One them watched a lot of English concert..and I was honoured to hear from her that she finds Siti’s Concert was world class!!
A string of Siti’s song became their favourite now..and the most obvious one was “Cinta Ku Bukan Biasa”… Hasnt Siti’s voice changed these people overnight??
My aunt start to shop for her CD. Hmm… I bet Siti CD sales will rose within these few weeks… and I think I am honoured to be in the week flavoured by Siti!
Siti Nurhaliza’s Humble Fan…
Azlinah O.K.
Hotlink
Siti Nurhaliza puts on her acting chops in a three-part commercial that is, in a word, hot! reports PHILIP GOLINGAI. >> 24 july 2005 – THE STAR
SITI Nurhaliza and her friends are hanging out in a trendy cafe when they spot paparazzi snapping photographs of the pop diva. To escape the photographers, Siti and two friends exit the cafe through the kitchen and they jump into a fiery-red BMW M3 convertible.
A high-speed car chase ensues as the paparazzi in an ominous-looking black 4WD doggedly pursue the celebrity through the streets of Putrajaya.
In her convertible, Siti, using her 3G handphone, snaps a short clip of the pursuing pixmen and video-mails it to her friends.
And help comes ….
Well, if you want to know what happens next, watch the 60-second trailer of Hotlink’s three-part 40-second commercials on its 3G services tonight.
As Hotlink’s brand ambassador, Siti is the star of the commercials featuring Hotlink’s 3G services such as multiplayer games, video messaging, traffic check and video calls.
On Tuesday, the press was given an exclusive screening of the trailer and three commercials – themed “cafe,†“chase†and “concert†– in Menara Maxis, Kuala Lumpur.
What’s new about these commercials, where advertising in Malaysia is concerned, is its format.
“We are not presenting just one spot (of one commercial) and that’s it,†explains Mohamad Shah, creative director of BBDO (Malaysia), the advertising agency responsible for the commercials.
“We took cinema as the ultimate visual experience and we broke the storyline into three parts. Like movie blockbusters, we even have a trailer for the three spots.â€Â
Adds Chee Loo Fun, Maxis general manager and head of prepaid marketing, “You have seen commercials where there are car chases, a concert or a group of friends hanging out all in one go. What’s new about our commercials is we put those scenes into three commercials.â€Â
Continues Shah: “The commercials show how 3G acts as a social tool where a group of friends can have a more meaningful time together, how it becomes a problem solver and how a video call makes two-way communication more meaningful, heartfelt and intimate.â€Â
After this preamble, it’s time for Siti to talk to the press about her experience shooting the commercials.
“We are trying to get Siti to answer some of your questions,†says Chee of Hotlink, at about 11.25am. “She’s in Singapore for a concert there. The last we checked, she was just coming out of rehearsal.â€Â
While that is being set up, Shah gives us a little background on the shoot.
“When Siti was on set, it was quite exciting. There would be a sizeable crowd waiting for her shoot to be over. Most of them just wanted to shake her hand,†he relates of the four-day shoot.
“What is commendable is her professionalism. We had three rounds of pre-productions before we went to the locations (Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Malacca).
“The shoot at the St Paul’s Church in Malacca on May 30, for example, took 12 hours and we wrapped up at about 5am. Siti was always on time and she never complained about anything.â€Â
In the “concert†commercial, the storyline involves the 26-year-old songbird holding a concert that is watched by her male friend (played by heartthrob Farid Kamil) on his phone via video call.
“We went through many names for an actor to play the guy (Farid), before we found someone who was right and with whom Siti was comfortable with,†reveals Shah.
Shah is saved from further quizzing by news that Siti is on the video call.
“Siti, can you see them (the three journalists invited for the exclusive screening)?†asks Chee.
“I can’t,†she replies.
Siti only sees a blank wall on her screen as the 3G handphone is placed on a coffee table so Chee instructs a reporter to hold up the phone.
“Siti, how often do you use the video call in a day?†I ask.
Frequently, she replies, since the unveiling of Maxis3G on July 1 because she is more comfortable with the video call service.
“Even if (the person she is talking to over the phone) is far, I feel she is close because I can see her,†she explains in Bahasa Malaysia.
The singer also uses the video call service to communicate with her staff as it “makes her work easier.â€Â
“And my staff cannot cheat,†she quips with a laugh.
Making the commercial is a new experience for Siti: “When I was given the storyboard, I was excited because there was a bit of action. There is a scene where I am chased by photographers,†she says.
Siti, who is the guy you dedicate the song to? The room erupts in laughter, with the diva joining in.
“It is only acting,†she explains. “It is part of the storyline. It is more of friendship. Maybe if people look, there’s a bit (of love) but in truth it is more about friendship and together (in the commercial) we (the characters) compose a song (Aktifkan Dunia Baru).
“After the song is composed, my friend returns to his house. And I perform the song for him through video call.â€Â
The journalist from a Chinese newspaper asks Siti whether speaking Mandarin in the Chinese version of the commercials was easy.
“I don’t have any problem singing in Mandarin because the melody makes it easy for me to memorise pronunciation.
“But when you speak, you really need to pronounce the words properly. For this commercial, it was not too difficult as I only had to speak a few words. I practised a few times in the studio before I did the voiceover in Mandarin,†she replies.
The journalist from the Malay newspaper then asks a question which must be pertinent to her readers. “What is Siti’s expectations from the commercials because many people say that Siti menghilangkan diri (has disappeared from the public eye)?
“Siti did not menghilangkan diri,†she says, sweetly. “Maybe among the journalists it is difficult to meet Siti because Siti is busy with work outside and inside Malaysia. Siti has not run away to anywhere. Siti is still here.â€Â
What did she find challenging during the shooting of the commercials?
“There is a short scene where my character plays the guitar. The (director) did not want me to pluck the wrong note so I had to learn on-the-spot how to play that note from a guitar instructor,†she says.
The final question: “Does she ever worry about paparazzi chasing her?
“Not in Malaysia because we have our own culture and we respect people’s privacy. Maybe overseas there are such things,†she says.
Chee suddenly calls out to Siti: “Can you see the journalists interviewing you?â€Â
“I could at first. Now I can only see a thumb,†Siti replies. Our human phone holder had accidentally placed her digit over the camera lens.
During the 10-minute video call through a Hotlink prepaid line, there is a few seconds of lag time but we can see and hear her well.
Despite the smallness of her image, her appeal and charm comes through loud and clear. Malaysia’s best-selling, most successful songstress, adored by millions selling mobile phone services by acting in ad where she is chased by paparazzi? Why not, after all, didn’t Brad Pitt do something similar for a beer commercial?
You can download the trailer from hotlink.com.my or access it through your Hotlink 3G prepaid service. What you will see is a montage of the three commercials.
The trailer airs tonight on TV3 (7.30-8pm), 8TV (7.30-8pm) and Astro (8-11pm on AXN and MTV), followed by the first “episode†on July 28, the second on Aug 4, and the finale on Aug 11.
Fans and Hotlink members can also download for free the catchy new song, Aktifkan Dunia Baru, by pressing the star symbol (*) followed by 131 and star again, then 0007# before pressing ‘send’ or ‘call’.
p/s: Cam gitu rupanya jalan st0ry nya.. baruler paham… Hehex..
Who’s that guy?
Who’s that guy?
HE was chosen to play Siti Nurhaliza’s male friend in the trio of Hotlink commercials. So who is he?
He’s Farid Kamil Zahari, a 24-year-old Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) screen art student.
In 2000, Farid started his acting career in a 13-epsisode Malay drama, Kuliah, which was shown on RTM.
Then “nothing happened†to his acting career. “I did not receive any offers to play in any drama or movie,†he says.
Two years later, he received an offer to play a supporting role in Mystik.
And since then he has acted in a dozen Malay movies like Cinta Fotokopi, Main-Main Cinta, Jutawan Fakir, Cinta Kolestrol and Anak Mami Kembali.
Farid describes his experience making the Hotlink commercials as “extraordinary for a new actor.â€Â
“It is a big project with Siti playing the lead role. Suddenly from supporting role in other television commercials for Dunhill and Telekom, I’m one of main leads,†Farid explains.
He plays a music composer in the commercials. “We (he and Siti) compose a song together and there’s supposed to be a bit of chemistry between the two characters,†he says.
How will viewers respond to the commercials?
“People will think that Siti is taking a step into the acting world,†he says, diplomatically, “because it is not just a commercial but more like a short film.â€Â
Since the commercials allude to a spark between them, could viewers think that there is something really going on between him and Siti?
“I’ve never thought of that,†Farid says. He adds that they had not met before the shooting of the commercials.
Whether or not viewers think he is Siti’s beau, the commercials will probably be a boost to the actor.
But how Farid got the role is a little unclear. At our video call with Siti on Tuesday, Chee Loo Fun, Maxis general manager and head of prepaid marketing, says Siti had picked him from a selection of photographs of several models and actors.
However, when I speak to Siti again on Thursday, she says Farid was chosen by the agency.
“I did not know that Farid would be the ‘hero’ (in the commercials). During discussions, I was given a choice of two actors but neither of them was Farid. At the last minute the agency changed the actor (to Farid). But it was not a problem as I can work with anybody,†she says, declining to say who the earlier choice was.
Since we are on the topic of guys, I ask whether she is dating anyone?
Huh, dating? No,†she says. “Not yet, not now. I want to concentrate on my work first. I feel all that will come naturally.â€Â
Spoken like a pro.
THE STAR – 24TH JULY 2005
Malaysian pop icon Siti Nurhaliza has the world at her feet
Entertainment News »
Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 20 July 2005 1058 hrs
Malaysian pop icon Siti Nurhaliza has the world at her feet
By Zul Othman, TODAY
Despite the fact that she’s a Malaysian pop icon with a multitude of music awards under her belt, Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin still gets the jitters when she faces a huge audience.
“I’m still nervous, especially before a big show,” the 26-year-old pop princess said in an interview yesterday.
She is in town for tonight’s concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
“When I think and worry too much, I get excited. It’s good though – it keeps me on my toes. Only then can I give the audience my very best performance,” she said.
Siti has certainly come a long way from her hometown of Kuala Lipis in Pahang. The fifth of eight children, she lived with her policeman father and housewife mother.
How things have changed. Since her debut on the Malaysian music scene in 1995, she has been consistently ranked as one of Malay pop’s foremost superstars.
Her talent and demure beauty have won her a legion of young fans, while her carefully-crafted, squeaky-clean image has endeared her to parents and moderate Muslims everywhere.
The image has also landed her lucrative endorsement deals. In Malaysia, she’s been the face of major cosmetic brands, such as Maybelline, as well as of Samsung and mobile phone operator Maxis.
Yet, for someone who has achieved so much so young, the singer is friendly and surprisingly down-to-earth in person.
Speaking in a mix of English and Malay, she was pleased to discover that we had chatted before in another interview. She even asked whom I was taking to her concert – she seemed very pleased to hear that I was planning to watch the show with my mum.
She is also amazingly candid, the sort of frankness that you don’t often see in stars. She talked about taking an interest in investing her money, fully aware that “the spotlight will eventually fade”.
While she said she was grateful for her “decade of blessings” in the music industry, what excited her was the new direction her career was taking: That of remaking her into Siti, the businesswoman.
Her company, Siti Nurhaliza Productions, has been busy with a variety of projects for the singer.
A concert held at London’s Royal Albert Hall in April was hailed as a runaway success, with an estimated 3,000 people attending the show.
The show will be released on DVD later this year. There are also plans to do similar shows in Australia and Sarajevo.
Last year, she lent her name to a brand of tea products – C-tea.
“The production company has quite a few projects in the works,” Siti revealed. “We’re also working on television variety shows while the tea brand is being introduced to Singapore and Brunei.
“I’m not giving up music anytime soon, though; I’m working on a Malay album, which we plan to release in September.”
Also in the works: A debut English album.
But no matter how busy she may be, Siti says performing live remains a priority. After her success in London, she said Singapore was the next logical stop.
“The Singapore Indoor Stadium show is one we’ve been working on for a while now,” she said. “It will be similar in spirit to the London show. If it works out, we just might take it to Indonesia and Brunei.”
So far, all signs indicate that her Indoor Stadium debut will be yet another well-earned feather in the singer’s cap.
According to a spokesperson from concert organiser MediaCorp TV12 VizPro Entertainment, “nearly all” of the 7,000 tickets for tonight’s show have been snapped up.
She’s successful; she’s driven; she’s at the top of her game. Yet for all that, you can’t help but feel that Siti is uncomfortable with the trappings of fame and success.
She said she was not used to the glare of celebrity and that she preferred to spend time with her family.
“People always seem to be interested in my private life, but the truth is I am too busy for relationships. I’ll leave that to God for the time being,” she said.
“In the meantime, I’ll do everything I can to make my career even more fruitful.”
What: Siti Live! 2005
Where: Singapore Indoor Stadium
When: Tonight at 8.30. Tickets from Sistic. – TODAY/jt
source *http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/158807/1/.html
She dazzles at sold-out concert
NINE years ago, Siti Nurhaliza won her first award when she was named Best Newcomer at the Singapore-initiated Anugerah Planet Muzik.
Now, the Malaysian singer, who has over 150 awards to her credit, is one of the top artistes in the region and is well on her way to breaking into the international market.
During her sold-out concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium last night, Siti took the opportunity to thank her Singapore fans here for helping her gain a foothold in the music scene.
She told the 7,000-strong crowd: ‘I got noticed after winning the award. Thank you for believing in me.’
Despite the big scale, her two-hour gig came across as a rather intimate affair. Siti alternated between her hit songs and casual banter.
The audience, ranging from teenagers to yuppies and makciks, lapped up every note sung by the 26-year-old, who was born in Kuala Lipis, Pahang.
Siti showed she’s a kampung girl as much as she is a city slicker during the concert. It was apparently a reprisal of what she had put on at London’s Royal Albert Hall two months ago.
Her performance here last night showcased traditional Malay music, which is something close to Siti’s heart.
While singing a medley of folk songs and her ethnic hits such as Nirmala and Cindai, she danced along with a costumed Malaysian dance troupe, never missing a step.
But Siti also proved that she has the potential to go farther than her home when she belted out Get Here by American singer Elita Adams and Conquer by Chinese singer Na Ying.
Even though her diction for the latter was questionable, her powerhouse vocals were crystal-clear.
Siti, who was wearing a glittering number by Malaysian designer Michael Ong, was the polished entertainer.
Halfway through her song Bukan Cinta Biasa, she stopped to tease the audience and asked with a dazzling smile: ‘What are you waiting for? Waiting to get married?’
Perhaps Siti was poking fun at her eligible bachelerotte status (which she has often been quizzed about) because after that, the singer, who once said she believes in fate, pointed heavenwards and warbled: ‘Waiting for its answer’.
Yes, if fate decrees it, Siti will strike international stardom pretty soon.
- Eri Akbar
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/
Siti: Who forced Maia to wear kebaya?
Siti: Who forced Maia to wear kebaya?
Answer: No one
Fan Maia Lee gladly slips on outfit she had worn in Siti sing-a-like contest
By Eri Akbar
July 22, 2005
SINGAPORE Idol finalist Maia Lee is the self-professed No 1 non-Malay fan of Malaysian pop princess Siti Nurhaliza.
Maia, with a less traditional-looking Siti, appearing demure in her kebaya, which she had bought for about $100. — DOMINIC YING
Maia is so smitten with her idol that she even joined a Siti Nurhaliza contest two years ago, wearing a kebaya and singing one of Siti’s songs in Malay.
On Monday , she put on the all-yellow outfit again to meet Siti at a press conference at Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel.
The New Paper had arranged the meeting, knowing of Maia’s admiration for Siti.
Braving a downpour on the way to the event, Maia sent this reporter an SMS, saying: ‘I’m tripping all over the kebaya!’
The usually-sexy Maia was almost unrecognisably demure in the modest outfit, which she had bought in Geylang Serai for about $100.
Siti, on the other hand, had ditched tradition in favour of a trim pants suit.
When she was introduced to Maia, she said with a smile: ‘Oh, so pretty.’
Then, she turned to this reporter and asked in mock protest: ‘Who coerced her to wear this?’
Once they were seated on a sofa for a casual chat, Maia quickly whipped out a plaque which she got for her participation in the semi-finals of the Siti sing-a-like contest. She asked Siti to sign on it.
Siti asked: ‘You can sing in Malay?’
Maia had sung Cindai, one of Siti’s greatest hits, at the contest.
But this reporter still had to act as a translator during their 10-minute conversation.
Siti tried replying in English, but expressed herself better in Malay, while a few times, Maia interposed with ‘tak faham (don’t understand)’.
LANGUAGE IS NO BARRIER
But the language barrier didn’t stop the two from chatting and sharing a laugh.
Maia, 22, as the newcomer about to release her debut album, fished for some tips from the 26-year-old Siti, whose experience in show business spans nearly a decade.
Candidly, Maia blurted out that she’s going to try swallowing egg yolks – Siti’s highly-publicised recipe – before performing at the ZPOP concert at Suntec City on Saturday .
Siti laughed and pretended to retch, warning Maia that she would feel sick if she is not used to eating raw eggs.
The Malaysian singer, who was in a relaxed mood, occasionally tapped Maia’s lap as they talked.
As for Maia, she remained composed until she learnt about the size of Siti’s wardrobe. Her jaw dropped when Siti revealed that two rooms in her Kuala Lumpur up-on-the-hill mansion had been allocated to storing her costumes.
Siti has not kept count of her costumes, but going by what her favourite Malaysian designer, Michael Ong, told The New Paper two months ago, the singer has easily accumulated 1,000 outfits.
Siti explained to Maia and The New Paper: ‘I feel it’s such a waste to throw them out. I try to mix and match them as much as I can.’
Maia also wanted to know how Siti psyched herself up for a performance.
Siti revealed that she’s always well-prepared.
Even her moves on stage are choreographed, she said.
She was also asked about being touted as Asia’s Celine Dion, who’s incidentally her idol.
Siti replied in her usual self-deprecating manner: ‘She’s up there and I’m down there.’
One thing is for sure though: Siti’s popularity reaches far and wide.
Other fans who were also at the press conference had travelled from Scotland and France to catch her concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium last night .
Mrs Hayati Tillier, a Singaporean who has lived in Paris for the last 17 years, said that she timed her yearly vacation here to coincide with Siti’s concert.
She also proposed helping Siti to stage a concert in Paris and was seen in a deep conversation with Siti’s concert producer, Roslan Aziz.
Siti recently performed in London.
A handful of guests also took pictures with Maia after realising that this kebaya-clad person was really the familiar tattooed singer.
Maia acquired a liking for Malaysian singers, including Ning Baizura, after she grew up listening to her Indian-Muslim neighbour’s Malay music collection.
Said Maia later: ‘I thought that a superstar like Siti would be full of herself.
‘But she’s actually nice and friendly. She has no airs at all, unlike some celebrities I’ve interviewed.’
Maia writes a fortnightly column for the Show section of The New Paper.
Then, out of Siti’s earshot, Maia whispered: ‘Siti is cute like a doll. I wanted to pinch her cheeks.’
Talk about being a devoted fan.
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/
Business forum to focus on pop diva
PENANG: Malaysia’s number one pop singer Siti Nurhaliza will become the subject of academic discussion by economic and business management lecturers at a forum in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
Themed Strategic Positioning and Branding of a Diva: A Case Study of Siti Nurhaliza, the forum is set to be the first scholastic analysis of the Malaysian entertainment industry from a management perspective.
Assoc Prof Dr Fauziah Md Taib, who will be among the panellists, said it would be the first time that Siti Nurhaliza would be analysed as a “successful product†and not on her artistic skills.
“We will look at Siti from a business perspective and as a product and brand that has a life-cycle of its own,†she told a press conference yesterday.
The forum will be organised by USM’s School of Management on July 23, in conjunction with the school’s 15th anniversary celebrations. About 500 people are expected to attend the forum at the Dewan Budaya.
Dr Fauziah said the music industry had significantly contributed to the local economy, with record sales estimated at RM90.82mil in 2003.
“The entertainment world has also influenced Malaysians greatly from the social aspect,†she said.
She said Siti Nurhaliza was chosen for the pioneer case study as she had successfully maintained her position as the No 1 singer in the country for almost a decade.
“She has even carved a name in the Malaysian Book of Records for bagging the most number of awards ever won by a local singer,†she added.
She noted that the singer had also performed in London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall and was gradually penetrating into the international market.
The other panellists are the dean of the school Prof Datuk Daing Nasir Ibrahim, lecturers Shahidan Shafie and Dr Ellisha Nasruddin, and The Star entertainment journalist Zieman.
Siti Nurhaliza will be at the forum to state her views on the project.
Dr Fauziah also added that the School of Management and Asian Academy of Management would present the inaugural “Young Entrepreneurial Artist Achievement Award†to Siti Nurhaliza in honour of her contributions to the local music industry.
The forum will be opened to the public and limited passes can be obtained on a first come, first served basis from the school. For enquiries, call 04-6533370/6532533/6533888 (ext 2520/3363).
Message written By Siti Nurhaliza
Actual Messange in malay was extracted from http://www.sitizone.com
Translate In English
Today, I’m at Bali, Indonesia. I’m here for some events and performance, my dedication was accompanied by the Foundation of the Johor Inheritance.
The last trip to Bali was when I’m undergoing the drafting of the videoclip Beradu Di Khayalan few years back. It was fun to be in Bali at that time, because I had an opportunity to stroll along the area there.
Since the location of the vidoe drafting was far into the countryside region, I could personally saw the beauty of the community’s culture there. In more with the greenery environment and the lovely coast.
I really admired Bali, because it has a lot of beautiful places, Definitely when you are here, women will be most fond of with the treatment of traditional beauty. Where you will get to relax your mind and body. Although at that point of time, in Bali, I was filled by work but I stole the opportunity to shop and watched the atmosphere in Bali closely. Although my trip this time was a short one, but hopefully it helps to treat yearning.
After coming back from Bali, I will be in Singapore. Increasingly close to the concert day increasingly fast my heart beat was. I’ve longing to meet my fans in Singapore and hopefully be able to put forward my best for the concert on 20 July. This time the concert will be a relax one, I want to interact with my fans, have a great laugh and share stories with them so that we won’t feel the pressure.
I still remembered during my concert in Singapore which was held in year 2000.
I was very happy with the overwarming reception given and fans that had given me a non stop responds and I really missed that moments.
For me the concert is not just a simple space to meet closely, entertaining but able to interact and talk about anyting I wished for.
Hope to see you in Singapore and pray so that this concert will be a success.
Message written By Siti Nurhaliza
15 July 2005
4pm, Malaysia timing…