Latest news with #Suria
The Star
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Singapore Idol winner Hady Mirza is now a property agent
Since winning the second season of local reality singing competition Singapore Idol in 2006, home-grown singer-songwriter Hady Mirza has juggled many side hustles. 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
The Star
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Shahfiq, who died in 2024 accident, remembered in brother Syaz' Smooth's EP
Before he died in a traffic accident in 2024 at the age of 27, Singaporean singer-songwriter Mohd Shahfiq composed several songs that he did not get a chance to record. Two of them are now part of his younger brother Syaz Smooth's debut EP, Bersamamu. The EP was released on May 2, which would have been Shahfiq's 28th birthday. Syaz, who turns 20 in June, says: 'When I wanted to start singing, he was the first person to help me. He was my first vocal teacher, my pillar of support, and the one who told me that I should start writing my own songs.' Shahfiq, whose full name was Mohammad Shahfiq Irman, came to fame in 2017 after winning the 10th season of Suria's reality singing competition Anugerah . After releasing singles such as Maya (2018), he studied music in Singapore's Lasalle College of the Arts and planned to become a vocal coach. He was among a group of Singaporean motorcyclists who were hit by a lorry in Johor in March 2024. Shahfiq and Mohd Firman Nordin, 26, died at the scene, while four seriously injured riders were taken to a hospital in Muar. Shahfiq and his then fiancee were due to tie the knot in December 2024. Syaz Smooth's debut EP includes songs written by his late brother, singer Shahfiq (right). This photo was taken in 2017, the same year Shahfiq came to fame after winning Suria's reality singing competition Anugerah. Syaz is also part of SUI, the home-grown vocal quartet that won Suria's reality singing competition Kaki Nyanyi in January. Shahfiq's tragic and sudden death hit Syaz, who has two other older brothers and three older sisters, hard. 'He was always the first person I turned to when I needed advice. I trusted him with everything,' adds the singer. The title track of Syaz's EP was written and composed by Shahfiq in 2020. 'He wrote it for me, and we had plans to record and release it,' Syaz, whose real name is Syah Riszuan, says of the orchestral-acoustic pop song. 'It was supposed to be a love song based on experiences that he went through. In my version, the way I tell the story, it's a personal tribute to him and the bond we shared.' The other song in the EP written by Shahfiq is the bossa nova tune Ku Harap , which was part of his final-year project when he was in Lasalle. He also got Syaz to sing it at a Lasalle recital in 2019. Syaz recalls: 'He was always trying out new music genres. It was very different from his other songs, but it kind of grew on me.' Syaz penned and composed the remaining three songs on the EP. Berhenti Mengharap is about finally coming to terms with the loss of his sibling months after the accident took place. 'Sometimes, when I wake up, I would hope that I will see him again. But I have also accepted that he's no longer here, and I always pray that he's doing well up there.' Another song, Baik Saja , is written like a letter to Shahfiq. 'I'm assuring him that everyone he knows is doing well, and that I will take care of them.' When he was 16, Syaz Smooth was the youngest artist signed to music label Universal Music Singapore. The EP opens with Doa Untuk Ibu , an R&B-tinged pop track which Syaz wrote for their mother to soothe her heart. 'It expresses deep gratitude and love for a mother's sacrifices and unwavering devotion to her family. When we lost Shahfiq, it affected her the most.' Syaz developed a passion for music at the age of three. In 2017, he got his first big break when he reached the semi-finals of the second season of Asian reality variety series Asia's Got Talent (2015 to 2019). Canadian music producer and hitmaker David Foster, one of the show's celebrity judges, had said then that he was impressed by Syaz's gift for singing. In 2023, he graduated with a music production diploma from local private school The Songwriter Music College. In 2022, at the age of 16, he joined Universal Music Singapore and was the music label's youngest signee. He left in 2024 so that he could chart his own path as an independent artiste. His new EP is distributed by Malaysian music label Breaking Music. Syaz, who recently enlisted for national service, says he will continue to write and record music during his free time and has plans to build up his audience beyond Singapore and the region. 'My dream is to bring Singapore's music to the global stage.' – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
New Straits Times
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Tony Eusoff: 'I'm barred from entering Singapore'
KUALA LUMPUR: Actor Tony Eusoff has said that he remains barred from entering Singapore following his past drug conviction. In a news report today, the 48-year-old actor, whose real name is Anthony Joseph Hermas Rajiman, revealed that he has attempted to apply for permission to enter the island republic several times since his release in 2016, but without success. "So far, I have applied (for the permit via online application) three or four times. But there has been no response yet," he said. Tony, who was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment in Singapore in April 2016 for possession of Class A controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act, accepts the consequences of his actions. "I don't blame anyone. What has happened is the repercussion of my own shortcomings. I admit that I'm the one who didn't respect the laws of the country. Now I have to bear the consequences." Despite his past, Tony expressed gratitude for an early release. "But I'm grateful that I was released three months early. I believe everything happens for a reason. It was the lesson of my life," he added. Despite being barred from entering the country, Tony is thankful that his drama series was permitted to air there. "I was offered to act in a drama series titled 'Chiron', which was aired on Mediacorp's Suria channel. "What impressed me was that the production was willing to come to Malaysia to film my scenes, as I could not go there due to the ban. "And I even won an award for my acting in the drama series. Life is strange sometimes," he said.
CNA
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Pesta Perdana 2025: Norman Ishak and Carmen Soo win best actor and actress awards
On Saturday night (May 24), the Mediacorp award show Pesta Perdana returned for its 18th edition – hosted by popular personalities Era Farida, Farhana M Noor, Fauzie Laily, and Najip Ali. 25 was the number of the night, as the ceremony celebrated the 25th anniversary of Suria, Mediacorp's dedicated Malay-language channel, and handed out 25 awards across performance, programme and personality categories. One of the biggest winners of the night was the period crime drama Operandi Gerhana, which follows two constables as they investigate the kidnapping of their superior officer amidst gangland unrest. The show won the awards for best drama series, best actress in a drama series for Carmen Soo and best actor in a supporting series for Jamie Aditya. Actor Norman Ishak emerged as a triple winner with accolades for best actor in a drama series for his role in Cerita Dia Macam Ni, best supporting actor in a telemovie or anthology for Bingit season five, and the fan-voted "Most Popular Male Personality' award. The evening also honoured legendary contributions to the industry with the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to Husin Saaban. A pioneer in Malay comedy, Husin began his journey in the 1960s and has left a profound impact across television, theatre, and children's entertainment. The award was presented by Guest-of-Honour President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, alongside Associate Professor Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Acting Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs. Pesta Perdana 2025 full list of winners Best Actor - Drama Series Norman Ishak (Cerita Dia Macam Ni) Best Actress - Drama Series Carmen Soo (Operandi Gerhana) Best Supporting Actor - Drama Series Jamie Aditya (Operandi Gerhana) Best Supporting Actress - Drama Series Atyy Malek (Mencari Marina) Best Actor - Telemovie / Anthology Al-Matin (Belaian) Best Actress - Telemovie / Anthology Nurul Nabila (Bisikan Syahdu) Best Supporting Actor - Telemovie / Anthology Norman Ishak (Bingit season five) Best Supporting Actress - Telemovie / Anthology Sharon Ismail (Mencari Hajar) Best Actor / Actress In A Comedy Role - Telemovie / Anthology Najib Soiman (Cerita Dia Macam Ni) Most Promising Artiste Zhin Sadali (Bingit Season Five) Best Host - Entertainment Hafidz Rahman (Berani Nyanyi? Season Two) Best Host - Info-ed Huda Ali (Cantik Detektif Season Five) Best Young Star Mishall Kiara (StigMa Lea) Best Radio DJ Mariam Mas'od (Espresso Warna) Best Drama Series Operandi Gerhana Best Telemovie / Anthology Bisikan Syahdu Best Entertainment Programme Berani Nyanyi? Season Two Best Info-Ed Programme Kembara Kasih Season Five Best Children's Programme Makan Skuad Best Digital Short-form Content Unboxing Seni Best Audio Programme Real Talk Bersama Nity Baizura Best Theme Song Setitis Harapan Most Popular Male Personality Norman Ishak Most Popular Female Personality Wahyu Rahman Lifetime Achievement Award Husin Saaban In a statement, Angeline Poh, Mediacorp's chief customer & corporate development officer, said: 'Congratulations to all the winners and nominees at this edition of Pesta Perdana. Celebrating Suria's 25th anniversary alongside these remarkable talents is not only a tribute to individual achievements, but also to the vibrant growth of Singapore's Malay entertainment scene.
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
My Perfect Weekend with actress-host Farhana M. Noor
The local artiste unwinds by chilling out at Changi Airport with her family and taking Zumba classes. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF FARHANA M. NOOR Who: Local actress-host Farhana M. Noor, 34, has starred in television series such as Channel 5's long-form drama Tanglin (2015 to 2018) and Suria's romantic comedy Kahwin Satu Keluarga (2023 to 2025). She made he r d ebut in 2013 with the musical drama Rima Hatiku and has since become a familiar face on Suria. On May 25, she will co-host local TV awards show Pesta Perdana 2025 with fellow artistes Najip Ali, Fauzie Laily and Era Farida. Returning for its 18th edition, the event celebrates timeless moments in local Malay entertainment and Suria's 25-year legacy. The live ceremony will be available from 8.30 to 11pm on mewatch, Mediacorp Entertainment on YouTube and Suria. 'As a mother of a four-year-old boy and one-year-old girl, I used to think of my work as my downtime, but I realised after a while that I needed to find something else to make me feel like myself again. For me, that was Zumba and exercising. I go for my Zumba classes solo and make friends with others there. It's a safe space for me. People will be dancing and following the instructor, and I'll just be grooving by myself, releasing the stress from whatever hectic week I had. My friends always laugh at me because they say that Zumba classes are for 'makciks' (aunties), but it's really not. Farhana M. Noor (left) with her Zumba instructor. PHOTO: COURTESY OF FARHANA M. NOOR Changi Airport is a special place for me, and I like spending time there with my family over the weekends. There's a playground at Terminal 1 for the children, lots of food options, the waterfall at Jewel, and we can go shopping. I spent a lot of my childhood at Changi Airport. My parents would take me and my brother there every weekend to spend time with their best friends, so I basically grew up there. We would pretend to be the Power Rangers and chase one another around. So I want my kids to experience what I did at the airport. My most memorable weekend was probably the one when my son was turning three and we took him to S.E.A. Aquarium in 2024. He had first visited as a baby, so he didn't understand anything then. He still didn't understand anything the second time round, and was just running about. Farhana M. Noor with her son at the S.E.A. Aquarium. PHOTO: COURTESY OF FARHANA M. NOOR But by the third time, he was just beginning to talk, so we had tiny pockets of conversations with each other. He was curious about everything, especially the big floor-to-ceiling tank. So we were just eating snacks and staring at the tank, with him asking so many questions. It was very nice and enjoyable.' Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
