logo
From seeking husband's permission to choosing the perfect organiser: Malaysian girl group Elite shares tidbits behind Elite Live ‘25

From seeking husband's permission to choosing the perfect organiser: Malaysian girl group Elite shares tidbits behind Elite Live ‘25

Malay Mail24-06-2025
KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 — Popular Malaysian girl group Elite has just announced their first solo concert in over 20 years.
The Elite Live '25 concert will see all five original members of the group — once dubbed the 'Malaysian Spice Girls' — take the stage on September 20 at Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
Members confirmed to perform include Abby Abadi, Azza Zawari, Linda Rafar, Watie Sadali and Sasha Saidin.
The concert also marks the group's 30th anniversary.
Hubby's green light
The founder of Icon Entertainment, Iman Tang (middle). — Picture by Firdaus Latiff
During the concert's press conference in KL — attended by all the members except Watie — Elite shared that they had a lot to discuss among themselves before agreeing to the comeback concert.
This included seeking permission from their respective husbands, as all the members are now married.
Abby and Sasha had no issues gaining approval from their husbands. Sasha, who recently tied the knot with Dubai-based entrepreneur Sirhan Wahab in January 2024, said it was easy on her part as her husband has been supportive of her career.
However, Linda and Azza admitted it took them some time to convince their spouses.
According to Linda, who's married to local actor and director Syed Aiman, her husband didn't give his blessing at first. However, after she convinced him that this was her chance to reunite with her groupmates, he eventually agreed.
Meanwhile, Azza, who is married to local businessman Azlan Zulaily, said her situation was similar to Linda's. She promised her husband she would manage her time well, especially since they run a business together.
'I actually told him when we got married that he's marrying a member of Elite, and at that time, Elite had already slowed down compared to how packed our schedule was back in the day.
'So he needs to understand that he's married to a member of Elite — and Elite consists of all five of us. If I'm not there, then they're incomplete.
'When I told him all the girls were coming back, he gave me his blessing,' Azza said.
Dress accordingly
Members of local girl group Elite (with the exception of Watie Sadali) from left to right; Abby Abadi, Azza Zawari, Linda Rafar and Sasha Saidin. — Picture by Firdaus Latiff
The Elite Live '25 concert is organised by Icon Entertainment, which was founded by Iman Tang, a veteran in the local entertainment industry with over 30 years of experience.
According to Tang, the main theme for Elite's upcoming concert is Catwalk, and concertgoers are encouraged to dress their best, as there will be a red carpet session.
However, Tang reminded attendees to dress appropriately and to be themselves.
This was also a nod to the Anugerah Juara Lagu 39 (AJL39) incident earlier this year, where several social media influencers faced backlash for cross-dressing, drawing criticism from the public.
This included remarks from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), which stated that it is against Islamic teachings for Muslim men to dress as women.
'To be honest, I don't watch AJL, and I'm not sure what happened at the last one — but I think, if possible, just be who we are.
'Check our ICs (identification cards) and be who you are,' Tang said.
Only the best
Elite admitted that the overwhelming support they received from their surprise appearance during KRU's four-day concert in May played a major role in their decision to hold their own solo show.
Prior to being approached by Icon Entertainment, Linda revealed that several local event organisers had offered to host their concert. However, the Trauma singer said they ultimately decided to go with Tang because they had more confidence in him.
'When we received the offer from Tang, we had several discussions among ourselves, because this is not a small thing.
'The responsibility we carry is huge, and we didn't want to do something that could embarrass us.
'That's why preparations are important, and we're confident that Tang and his team will take care of us. That's why we didn't accept other offers — we chose Tang because he can also guide us on our appearance and vocals,' Linda said.
Azza added that aside from offers by event organisers, they've also received interest from big brands seeking collaborations since their KRU performance.
Formed in 1995, Elite was the first act signed under KRU Records. Over five years with the label, they released several albums including Catwalk, Tamparan, Idola, Selamat Tinggal Teman, G.I.G, and Merbahaya.
Tickets for Elite Live '25 will go on sale starting June 26 at 2pm, with prices ranging from RM268 to RM1,088.
For more ticketing information, please visit www.ticket2u.com.my
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

INKSIDE: Zineyard brings Zine Fair magic to life with 25 local artists showcasing Indie masterpieces
INKSIDE: Zineyard brings Zine Fair magic to life with 25 local artists showcasing Indie masterpieces

Malay Mail

time13 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

INKSIDE: Zineyard brings Zine Fair magic to life with 25 local artists showcasing Indie masterpieces

KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 — It was a two-day event bursting with self-expression and creativity at INKSIDE: Zineyard, a vibrant zine fair held at Menara BAC, Petaling Jaya, from July 25 to 26. The event celebrated the power of handmade, independent art and brought together artists and admirers in a joyful showcase of DIY publishing — where 100 per cent of proceeds would go to the Orang Asli school project at Kampung Bumbun, Pulau Carey. If you've ever wondered what a zine fair is, it's a lively gathering where creators and enthusiasts meet to display, sell, and discuss self-published magazines, booklets, and artworks. Visitors can expect handmade creations, workshops, meet-and-greets with artists, and a community grounded in creativity, independence, and alternative culture. Indie artist Katun displayed his distinctive streetwear-meets-graffiti style at INKSIDE: Zineyard. — Photo by Raymond Manuel How the 'INKSIDE: Zineyard' came together INKSIDE: Zineyard came together as a final-year project by IACT College diploma students from the Mass Communication, Marketing and Advertising, and Digital Design courses — an idea sparked by their lecturer, Farah Izyan, who called it a perfect fit. 'Every year we will have a final year project where it would be an event, for this round, we knew we were going to do something artsy,' she said. 'There was an artist who stated there are not enough zine fairs in Malaysia — there are a lot of conventions and art conventions, but not a lot of zine-focused ones.' 'So we worked together and made this happen, and coincidentally, this month, July is international zine month, so it was a perfect time for us, in addition to having the support from local artists before even launching this event,' she added. The students' view of the event Gareth John, 22, a representative of the advertising students, said the event supports a growing community movement. 'It's something different, something meaningful—a chance to showcase everyone's creativity throughout the entire process.' Eunice Tang, 20, from the graphic design programme, and Amber, 21, a mass communication student, shared that the fair allowed students to highlight their individual strengths. 'Some students excel in design, others in organising or planning, and this event brought all those skills together,' Tang said. 'For graphic design students especially, it was a great opportunity to apply what we've learned—designing everything from layouts to visuals.' For Amber, it was her first exposure to a zine fair. 'Now that I've experienced it, I'm really grateful to know about it. 'I'm really proud that we managed to have this event.' Kendylife, a familiar name in the doodling scene, said that INKSIDE truly captures the essence of a zine fair. — Photo by Raymond Manuel 25 local artists under one roof showcasing their art The event featured 25 local artists, including notable names like Abdul Hafiz Abdul Rahman, better known as Katun, who showcased his distinctive streetwear-meets-graffiti style. 'Having been to countless zine fairs all over Malaysia, INKSIDE was memorable for the chance to meet new friends and discover many emerging artists,' he said. Katun presented illustrations, original paintings, merchandise—and primarily art prints. Another standout was Kendylife, a familiar name in the doodling scene, known for blending Bornean motifs with chibi-inspired styles. Having attended zine fairs abroad—from the Philippines to Australia and the UK—Kendylife found INKSIDE refreshingly focused on zines. 'What I love about this is that it really captures the essence of how I started,' he said. 'Seeing this happening in Malaysia makes me so happy. 'That's why I flew all the way back here from Sabah,' he added. Also making his debut appearance in a zine fair was Suf Bansen, a voice actor best known for voicing Ejen Bobby in the Ejen Ali series, who is also a longtime supporter and creator in the indie art scene. He introduced a quirky character named BUTTMAN, with merchandise ranging from stickers and postcards to toys. 'It's pretty cool—the people are welcoming, the organiser too, and the panel discussions were eye-opening,' he said. Suf will definitely return for more zine fairs in the future, thanks to his experience at INKSIDE. 'I've done comics before, and I'd love to showcase them again at future zine fairs like this.' Suf Bansen, a voice actor and indie artist, experienced his first zine fair at INKSIDE and shared hopes of attending more in the future. — Photo by Raymond Manuel The trend of zines in Malaysia Though zine fairs are a trend steadily gaining momentum in Malaysia, a new generation of creators and enthusiasts is helping to bring this vibrant, grassroots art form into the spotlight. This INKSIDE event drew over one hundred attendees all coming together to celebrate and support indie art. The strong turnout reflects a growing interest in zine culture, suggesting it has the potential to become a lasting part of Malaysia's creative scene. While INKSIDE has officially concluded, it successfully sparked greater appreciation for zines, and with any luck, others will continue to carry the torch and keep zine culture thriving in the spotlight. The zine fair at Menara BAC drew a strong crowd, with many attendees showing appreciation for local indie art. — Photo by Raymond Manuel

Indonesian actor Reza Rahadian talks MIFFest honour, potential appearance in a Malaysian film, and next step forward
Indonesian actor Reza Rahadian talks MIFFest honour, potential appearance in a Malaysian film, and next step forward

Malay Mail

time13 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

Indonesian actor Reza Rahadian talks MIFFest honour, potential appearance in a Malaysian film, and next step forward

KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 — The Award for Excellent Achievement in Film at the Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) honours individuals who have made impactful and ongoing contributions to cinema — Indonesian actor Reza Rahadian proudly received the honour at this year's eighth edition. A prominent name in Indonesian cinema, he has earned numerous accolades throughout his career, including Best Actor at the 2017 Asia-Pacific Film Festival and multiple Citra Awards, often described as Indonesia's equivalent to the Oscars—and adding this MIFFest honour to his repertoire marks yet another achievement. In an exclusive interview with Malay Mail, Reza stated that receiving the Award marked a moment of deep reflection on his two-decade-long career, and the trust and opportunities that have shaped it. 'For me personally, it's a moment to reflect — to pay attention to the people who brought me here today,' he shared. 'It's definitely not just because of myself, it's because I was given the opportunity—someone opened the doors for me so I could enter. 'That trust is something I've built and I'm humbled to be recognised,' he added. A Southeast Asian Cinematic Footprint The influence of the acclaimed actor has extended well beyond Indonesia, resonating with audiences across Southeast Asia, which includes Malaysia, where his roles in Indonesian titles such as 2016's My Stupid Boss (partially filmed in Malaysia), Habibie & Ainun (2012), and Siksa Kubur (2024) are especially appreciated. He also starred in 2014's Yasmine, widely regarded as Brunei's first-ever feature film, where he portrayed the character Fahri, marking his first international film outside Indonesia. Aside from these successful films, he is also known for playing the character Tony in HBO's dark fantasy series Halfworlds, a show he fondly misses. Filmed across multiple Southeast Asian locations—including Batam and Thailand—the show brought together a diverse cast from Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, which Reza values, often catching up with fellow actors across the Asean community. 'As Asean itself, we need to build our world of cinema. 'We have a big opportunity to say something to the world of cinema—that we, Asean, have great talents here and great stories,' he added. 'We are among the nations that share a lot of culture, race, and that is a very strong point of view to share with the world of cinema.' Interest in Malaysian productions and sharing the screen with local actors Given his growing presence in the region, Reza is eager to star in a Malaysian-made film and collaborate with local directors, producers, and filmmakers. Malaysian actor and MIFFest ambassador Bront Palarae is someone he would like to share the screen with in such a project. 'I would also like to work with Sharifah Amani. 'I have watched one or two of her films, and she is a wonderful actress,' he added. 'It's an important festival that opens a lot of opportunities, especially for Asian actors and filmmakers to make their mark in whatever they achieve in their careers,' said Reza. 'I've seen nine films, I think how the committee decides what kind of films should be selected in this festival, personally, to me, was magnificent. 'There are good statements in the film, and there are a lot of issues that we need to bring up because, through cinema, you can voice a lot of things. 'I think personally, to me, that's what I feel connected to the festival, to me it's like another mark of my personal journey as an actor,' he added. Going forward Fresh off completing the Indonesian film Pangku, which marks his directorial debut, Reza hopes to continue pursuing other aspects of filmmaking. 'As much as I love acting, I can't lie that I love directing after finishing this film,' he said, adding that we can expect more directing from him going forward. 'I love cinema so much, and I love working — I'm humbled and just lucky, if I can say that, to be able to work in such an artistic industry — such an artistic world — and you know that you love the job. 'I don't wanna take things for granted, and I have no words other than humbleness,' he concluded.

2NE1's Dara sparks buzz with Kuala Lumpur snapshots on Instagram
2NE1's Dara sparks buzz with Kuala Lumpur snapshots on Instagram

Malay Mail

time2 days ago

  • Malay Mail

2NE1's Dara sparks buzz with Kuala Lumpur snapshots on Instagram

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — South Korean singer and actress Sandara Park has shared a series of snapshots on Instagram that appear to be from a recent visit to Kuala Lumpur, sparking excitement among Malaysian fans. The 2NE1 member, better known as Dara, posted several photos yesterday showing her dressed casually while exploring some of the capital's iconic landmarks, including Dataran Merdeka, the National Library, the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, and the Old Chartered Bank Building. One image shows her posing with the ground markings commemorating Kuala Lumpur's 50th Golden Jubilee, alongside a caption that read: 'Tourist Dara in #KualaLumpur #Malaysia Such a beautiful city.' 'Thank you Dara for coming — we Malaysians love you,' one Instagram user commented. Some netizens speculated that the post may be a throwback, possibly from her visit during G-Dragon's concert in Malaysia earlier this year, where she was spotted among the audience.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store