29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Zizi Safira stamps her name on Sumandak hall of fame
RISING Sabahan singer Zizi Safira is often mistaken for Zizi Kirana (Nor Fazilah Mohamad Tahil) largely because they both hail from The Land Below The Wind.
In a recent chat with the New Straits Times, 21-year-old Zizi said that even though many music lovers make that mistake, she admires her namesake who not only sings well but also acts and dances well too.
AKADEMI FANTASIA
"Truth be told, I hail from Tambunan and am of Kadazan-Dusun descent, while Zizi Kirana is from Semporna and she is of Bajau descent," said Zizi, who voted for her namesake during her days in 'Akademi Fantasia Season 7'.
Zizi, the elder of two siblings, has been in the music industry for two years.
She graduated with a business diploma in 2023 from Kosmopoint College, Kota Kinabalu.
"I've always been surrounded by music as my family is musically inclined," said Zizi who lists Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Yuna, Jaclyn Victor, Marsha Londoh, Stacy Anam, Ayu Damit, Adira Suhaimi, Ernie Zakri and Aina Abdul as her favourite Malaysian singers.
"Internationally, I'm a major fan of Celine Dion, Billie Eilish and Bruno Mars."
BINTANG RTM
Zizi won the 'Bintang RTM' crown in 2024. She subsequently participated in 'I Can See Your Voice Season 8'.
"Last year I auditioned for Calpis Soda One In A Million (OIAM) but I did not make the grade."
Nevertheless, Zizi is happy that one of her dear friends, Marygrace Jane Penserga won, and she has high hopes for Marygrace to become the "next big pop princess" from her home state.
Zizi is a host, singer and dancer for the Information Department, and has been with them for almost a year.
"I am a self-taught dancer, and I took singing lessons from a vocal coach in Tambunan," she said.
Zizi has performed two Kadazan-Dusun songs namely 'Pinataam Ku' (2021) and 'Boros Ginavo' (2022).
"My two Malay songs thus far are 'Hasrat Kerinduan' (2023) and 'Merana' (2024). I also have a new song in the pipeline, and I would love to release a full Malay album later," she said.
Zizi has an interest in musical theatre and would be honoured to star in musicals produced by Istana Budaya or Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina's company Enfiniti Productions.
"I am not that keen on acting, even though I'm a big fan of Malaysian dramas, and count Datuk Rosyam Nor as my all-time screen idol," said Zizi.
Zizi is happy to be based in Malaysia, since she is close to her family and misses them easily.
"But if I were to perform overseas, I would love to sing in Indonesia and record a duet with an Indonesian artiste such as Datuk Seri Rossa, who is my favourite regional diva."
Zizi would love to sing in more languages, and right now she can sing in English, Malay and Kadazan-Dusun.
She believes that being multi-lingual is a blessing for all Malaysians as this reflects the spirit of muhibbah and Bangsa Malaysia.
'MERANA'
Zizi is busily promoting her latest single 'Merana' which is written and composed by Mas Dewangga and Jova Devito.
It is an electronic dance music and pop song, and she hopes to record more songs in that genre.
Zizi was active in singing contests during her schooldays and first performed on the big stage in 2018.
"Reality talent shows have been a godsend, a great way to search for new talents, and without reality talent shows, Sabah's massive pool of talent would not have gone mainstream in Kuala Lumpur."
Zizi has always followed reality talent shows since she was a kid but looking back, she prefers a lessening of the Short Messaging Servicevoting format.
"There has to always be a balance between judges' marks and fans' votes because fans' votes often see truly talented singers getting eliminated early, especially those who are less gorgeous but more talented," she said.
