Singapore Idol winner Hady Mirza is now a property agent
On June 27, the 45-year-old announced his latest venture on Instagram: He is now a licensed property agent.
It took him two years and four tries before he finally passed his Real Estate Salesperson examination on April 17. The licence was issued on June 19.
'It's a big achievement for me,' Hady, who is with real estate company Era Singapore, says in an interview on July 7.
'It marks another chapter in my life. I'm already 45, and I believe that I must always challenge myself, even though I had a lot of doubts about whether I could study again,' he says, adding that he used all his SkillsFuture credits to finance part of his real estate courses and examination fees.
And while his predecessor Taufik Batisah, winner of the inaugural Singapore Idol in 2004, made a similar move to real estate back in 2019 and is now a top agent at PropNex Singapore, Hady says he was inspired by his other friends who are long-time property agents.
Still, when Hady announced his entry into real estate on Instagram, one of the most-liked comments was a congratulatory note from Taufik, who suggested they 'co-broke', a term used when property agents work together to facilitate a transaction.
Why Japan and South Korea are on different paths in the latest US trade salvo
United States President Donald Trump answering reporters' questions during a July 8 Cabinet meeting at the White House.
'We are friends, and we always support each other,' says Hady, who performed with Taufik and Sezairi, winner of Singapore Idol 3 in 2009, at Malay-language television awards show Pesta Perdana in May. The trio were also judges on Suria's reality singing competition Kaki Nyanyi (2024 to 2025).
Hady has not sold any homes yet, but has been receiving calls from potential clients and has done several home viewings with the senior agents mentoring him.
He admits that being a public figure can be an advantage in his new line of work, but insists that being a celebrity can get him only so far when it comes to sealing deals.
'It's still early days, and there are still a lot of things that my mentors need to show and teach me.'
Being an agent also means his personal phone number is public, but he has no issues receiving calls and texts from strangers.
'Because of my other businesses, it has been public knowledge for about 10 years,' says the entrepreneur, whose previous ventures include food and beverage, as well as motor vehicle sales.
In recent months, he has also taken on several other roles, including an ambassadorship for cancer support charity Ain Society, and started his own talent management company, NHM Entertainment.
He has not turned his back on his music career, though.
In May, he released his first new single in three years, Jika Masih Ada, a duet with popular Malaysian actress-singer Erra Fazira.
It is also the theme song for Nikmat Hanya Sesaat, a Malay-language drama series on Malaysian broadcaster TV3 that premiered in May.
While he also won region-wide reality singing show Asian Idol in 2007, it was only in 2019 that Hady made a major mark in Malaysia after being crowned co-winner of Season 6 of Malaysian television singing show Gegar Vaganza , sharing the prize with Malaysian singer Naqiu.
It was his artiste management agency in Malaysia that offered him Jika Masih Ada in late 2024. When he recorded his vocal parts, he had no idea who his duet partner would be.
'I was shocked when I found out that they later got Erra to record the female vocals, someone who is so well-known and has been in the entertainment industry much longer than me,' says Hady, who has been married to Malaysian homemaker Nurjannah Nur Wahid, 33, for the past 11 years. The couple have no children but are hoping to start a family.
Hady, who staged a solo gig at The Theatre at Mediacorp in 2024, has several performances lined up in coming months, including an Ain Society concert at the same venue on Aug 23 that features regional acts like Indonesian singer Hetty Koes Endang.
He will also perform at the 2025 edition of the annual Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert at The Meadow on Aug 3. He composed and will sing the show's theme song, Ties That Bloom .
Hady has also set the next challenge for himself: to get a diploma in music and teach singing. Despite having decades of experience as a professional performer, he is also working on improving his vocal abilities and has been taking lessons at local music school Academy Of Rock.
'I'm always thinking: What other things can I do to better myself? In Singapore, there are always avenues for you to improve yourself. It's such a waste if you don't make use of the opportunities that are out there.' – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Today's news in pictures - Saturday, July 26, 2025
MISSED what happened today? Here's a glimpse at what happened throughout the country in photographs. KUALA LUMPUR – A Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) staff member pours used cooking oil into a special container during the Trash to Cash programme at Dewan JPKK Kampung Pandan. NSTP/NABILA ADLINA AZAHARI GEORGETOWN – A customer shops for school uniforms with their child at Kimnovak, a store on Jalan Magazine that will close on July 31 after 56 years of service. NSTP/MIKAIL ONG JERANTUT – Inside the Kota Gelanggi Cave complex, Gua Sanding is linked to a legend featuring limestone formations believed to resemble a wedding couple and symbols of traditional Malay warrior spirit. BERNAMA KUALA LUMPUR – Participants gather peacefully outside the Sogo shopping complex and take the opportunity to have lunch before joining the 'Turun Anwar' rally. NSTP/AHMAD UKASYAH IPOH – Perak FA's Reima Mayser (left) kicks the ball under pressure from Melaka FC's Mohammad Fahmi Faizal during a friendly match at Perak Football Complex. Melaka FC won 1-0. BERNAMA
Barnama
4 hours ago
- Barnama
Borneo Flora Festival In Labuan A Big Hit With Tourists
The inaugural Borneo Flora Festival (BFF) 2025 is more than just a vibrant showcase of tropical blooms and landscape artistry. Minister in the Prime Ministers Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa in her keynote speech at the official launching of the Borneo Flora Festival 2025 (BFF) today, emphasized the BFF was designed not merely to add to Labuans event calendar, but to serve as a catalyst for diversification and socioeconomic revitalisation. LABUAN, July 26 (Bernama) -- The Borneo Flora Festival (BFF) has not only attracted residents of the Pearl of Borneo, but also visitors from outside the island who have come to celebrate the festival, which began today. A visitor from Brunei Darussalam, Siti Norlila Rahim, 38, did not want to miss the opportunity to see the various species of flowers on display at the International Sea Sports Complex. The mother of three said her family had arrived on the island by ferry from Brunei to Labuan yesterday to visit relatives living here. 'My mum told me there's a festival here (in Labuan), so I thought, why not come… and most importantly, there are also booths from Brunei involved in the festival,' she told Bernama. Jinus Yoson, 51, from Tambunan, meanwhile, arrived in Labuan two days ago and came to the BFF as he did not want to miss the chance to witness the flower festival being held for the first time. He said the arrangement and decorations at the BFF were very attractive, with colourful floral displays and various activities for visitors to take part in. 'If even the people of Labuan are coming, then those of us who don't live here surely won't miss the chance to come,' he said, adding that he was also visiting his child who worked on the island. Nur Hayanti Asri, 18, from Kuala Penyu, said she was not only thrilled and excited as it was her first time attending such a festival, but also because she wanted to capture memorable photos with the flowers displayed at the BFF. 'As a young person, the first thing I thought of when deciding to come to the BFF was to take pictures to use as backgrounds and post them on Instagram,' she said, adding that she learnt about the festival through social media promotions.
Barnama
6 hours ago
- Barnama
Dodol Telur, Gelembung Buaya A Hit At National Month Launch In Muar
MUAR, July 26 (Bernama) -- The rich, creamy flavour and soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture of 'dodol telur' and 'dodol gelembung buaya', made by Kelantan-born Nur Atikah Syazwani Hassan, quickly won over visitors at the launch of the National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang 2025 campaign here. Made using family recipes passed down since 1970, the traditional Malay delicacies from Kampung Laut, Kelantan, are slow-cooked for four to five hours to retain their authentic flavour and texture. 'Dodol telur is special because it's made with eggs and coconut milk, slowly cooked until the mixture thickens. We only make it once a year. It has a creamy egg flavour with just the right amount of sweetness. 'For dodol gelembung buaya, we add fresh young coconut flesh and produce it in two colours, green and orange, unlike regular dodol which is made only with coconut milk,' she told Bernama when met at the MADANI Community Entrepreneurship booth at Dataran Tanjung Emas here today. She said the response to both products was very encouraging, with many first-time visitors praising the dodol's unique flavour and texture. The dodol, priced at RM11 for 500 grammes and RM21 for one kilogramme, is packed straight from the 'kawah' (large cooking pot) to preserve its soft texture and authentic flavour. 'Customers will receive dodol with a soft texture. If stored properly, it can last up to a week. To me, this is also a way of keeping Malay heritage food alive. 'Through platforms like the MADANI Community Entrepreneurship booth, I hope this heritage food from Kampung Laut can reach a wider market,' she said. Nur Atikah Syazwani was among 16 local entrepreneurs from across the country selected to showcase their products at the MADANI Community Entrepreneurship booth, held in conjunction with the three-day event.
