#SHOWBIZ: Marsha: Times Square appearance an honour to East Malaysians
KUALA LUMPUR: Singer-actress Marsha Milan Londoh was described her recent appearance on the iconic Times Square billboard in New York, the United States as a dream come true.
She said in an Instagram post yesterday that appearing on the Spotify billboard in Times Square reminded her of the challenges she faced when she first entered showbiz.
"Seeing myself on a billboard in Times Square, New York is something that has exceeded all my dreams.
"As a female singer from East Malaysia or Malaysian Borneo, this journey is not easy, but moments like this remind me why I started.
"Thank you #SpotifyEQUAL for allowing me to be a part of this campaign and thank you to Spotify Asia for raising our voice to the global stage," she said.
Marsha, 40, dedicated her appearance on the billboard to all East Malaysians who strived hard to excel in their careers, especially those in entertainment.
"To all women in music, your voice means a lot and we need to hear more," said Marsha who hails from Tamparuli in Sabah.
Spotify EQUAL is an initiative that recognises female artistes from around the world and empowers their voices in the music industry.
Many of Marsha's fellow artistes congratulated her on her achievement.
"Very happy to see your dream come true," said actress, director and producer Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina.
Besides Marsha, other Malaysian singers who have been featured on the billboard include Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Ernie Zakri, Yuna, Dolla, Aina Abdul, Kaka Azraff, Layla Sania, Iman Troye, Aisha Retno and Vanessa Reynauld.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysian violin makers strike gold, bringing pride to the nation
IN the picturesque Rose Valley of Kazanlak, Bulgaria, two Malaysian violin makers have written a heartwarming chapter in the nation's cultural story. Against the backdrop of blooming roses and centuries-old traditions, 25-year-old Tan Joven from Melaka and her mentor, 45-year-old Tan Chin Seng from Kuala Lumpur, have brought home gleaming gold medals that shine as bright as their dedication to the ancient art of violin making. Tan Joven's story reads like a fairy tale of passion and perseverance. Just three years ago, she packed her dreams and headed to Cremona, Italy – the holy grail of violin making – to master her craft. The young artisan, who once amazed everyone by completing her first violin in just four months, has now conquered the international stage. At the 19th International Violin Making Competition on June 8, Joven's hands trembled not with nerves, but with excitement as she claimed the Gold Medal for Viola and Silver Medal for Violin in the non-professional category. For a first-time competitor, this double triumph feels nothing short of magical. 'I'm more motivated than ever,' beams Joven, her eyes sparkling with the same intensity she brings to crafting each instrument. Her success proves that with dedication and the right guidance, even the loftiest dreams can become reality. Behind every great student stands an extraordinary teacher, and Tan Chin Seng embodies this perfectly. The seasoned craftsman, who has spent over 15 years turning wood into music, achieved something no Malaysian had ever done before – winning Gold in the professional category at this prestigious competition. His winning viola, lovingly named 'Madani,' carries deeper meaning than its beautiful sound. The name reflects his heartfelt hopes for Malaysia's continued prosperity and progress, making this victory not just personal, but patriotic. Chin Seng's journey hasn't always been smooth sailing. After his initial international success in 2019 with double gold in the non-professional category, the pandemic forced a four-year break. But like a true champion, he returned stronger, collecting three medals in 2023 and 2024 before achieving this career-defining moment. This isn't just a tale of two individuals – it's the story of a growing Malaysian violin-making dynasty. Chin Seng's other students, Chang Song Jie and Sam Wong, have also tasted international success, proving that this mentor has the golden touch when it comes to nurturing talent. The competition, organised by Italy's National Association of Violin Making Art (ANLAI) and held during Bulgaria's enchanting Rose Festival, brought together over 70 handcrafted instruments from 12 countries. Under the watchful eye of jury chairman Giorgio Scolari, a renowned Italian violin maker, Malaysia's representatives stood tall among the world's finest craftspeople. Currently displayed at the Rose Museum in Kazanlak, these award-winning instruments represent more than just wood and strings – they're ambassadors of Malaysian craftsmanship, telling the world that excellence knows no borders. As the roses bloom in Bulgaria's valleys, so too does Malaysia's reputation in the rarified world of violin making. Thanks to Joven and Chin Seng, the melody of Malaysian success now echoes through concert halls and competitions worldwide, inspiring a new generation of artisans to pick up their tools and chase their own golden dreams.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysian Violin Makers Win Gold at International Competition
IN the picturesque Rose Valley of Kazanlak, Bulgaria, two Malaysian violin makers have written a heartwarming chapter in the nation's cultural story. Against the backdrop of blooming roses and centuries-old traditions, 25-year-old Tan Joven from Melaka and her mentor, 45-year-old Tan Chin Seng from Kuala Lumpur, have brought home gleaming gold medals that shine as bright as their dedication to the ancient art of violin making. Tan Joven's story reads like a fairy tale of passion and perseverance. Just three years ago, she packed her dreams and headed to Cremona, Italy – the holy grail of violin making – to master her craft. The young artisan, who once amazed everyone by completing her first violin in just four months, has now conquered the international stage. At the 19th International Violin Making Competition on June 8, Joven's hands trembled not with nerves, but with excitement as she claimed the Gold Medal for Viola and Silver Medal for Violin in the non-professional category. For a first-time competitor, this double triumph feels nothing short of magical. 'I'm more motivated than ever,' beams Joven, her eyes sparkling with the same intensity she brings to crafting each instrument. Her success proves that with dedication and the right guidance, even the loftiest dreams can become reality. Behind every great student stands an extraordinary teacher, and Tan Chin Seng embodies this perfectly. The seasoned craftsman, who has spent over 15 years turning wood into music, achieved something no Malaysian had ever done before – winning Gold in the professional category at this prestigious competition. His winning viola, lovingly named 'Madani,' carries deeper meaning than its beautiful sound. The name reflects his heartfelt hopes for Malaysia's continued prosperity and progress, making this victory not just personal, but patriotic. Chin Seng's journey hasn't always been smooth sailing. After his initial international success in 2019 with double gold in the non-professional category, the pandemic forced a four-year break. But like a true champion, he returned stronger, collecting three medals in 2023 and 2024 before achieving this career-defining moment. This isn't just a tale of two individuals – it's the story of a growing Malaysian violin-making dynasty. Chin Seng's other students, Chang Song Jie and Sam Wong, have also tasted international success, proving that this mentor has the golden touch when it comes to nurturing talent. The competition, organised by Italy's National Association of Violin Making Art (ANLAI) and held during Bulgaria's enchanting Rose Festival, brought together over 70 handcrafted instruments from 12 countries. Under the watchful eye of jury chairman Giorgio Scolari, a renowned Italian violin maker, Malaysia's representatives stood tall among the world's finest craftspeople. Currently displayed at the Rose Museum in Kazanlak, these award-winning instruments represent more than just wood and strings – they're ambassadors of Malaysian craftsmanship, telling the world that excellence knows no borders. As the roses bloom in Bulgaria's valleys, so too does Malaysia's reputation in the rarified world of violin making. Thanks to Joven and Chin Seng, the melody of Malaysian success now echoes through concert halls and competitions worldwide, inspiring a new generation of artisans to pick up their tools and chase their own golden dreams.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Former MTV VJ Ananda Lewis dies of breast cancer at 52
Ananda Lewis went on to become one of MTV's most popular hosts, helming 'Total Request Live' and 'Hot Zone' before leaving the network in 2001 to host her eponymous talk show. Photo: Ananda Lewis/Instagram Ananda Lewis, the former MTV VJ known in the late 1990s as the 'It Girl' for the hip-hop generation, has died after a years-long battle with breast cancer. The TV host, former model and social activist was 52. 'She's free, and in His heavenly arms,' her sister Lakkshmi Emory announced on Facebook Wednesday, punctuated with a long string of broken-heart emojis. 'Lord, rest her soul.' Born on March 21, 1973 in San Diego, Lewis first got noticed at MTV when she interviewed then First Lady Hillary Clinton for BET's Teen Summit, according to People . She went on to become one of the pioneering music-video network's most popular hosts, helming Total Request Live and Hot Zone before leaving MTV in 2001 to host her eponymous talk show. Though The Ananda Lewis Show eventually grew to 1.35 million viewers, the series premiered the day before the Sept 11 terrorist attacks on New York City and the Pentagon, which delayed the run by about three weeks. The show eventually lasted two seasons. Lewis went on to become an actress and producer, working on such movies as On the Line, Nora's Hair Salon II and Method & Red. Lewis announced last October that the stage 3 breast cancer she had revealed in 2020 had metastasised and returned as stage 4. She had opted to forego a double mastectomy during her initial treatment. She first let the world know in October 2020, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, that she'd been battling the disease privately for two years. She urged women to get routine mammograms, something she had opted out of for fear of radiation. 'For a really long time, I have refused mammograms, and that was a mistake,' she said in a video at the time. 'I watched my mum get mammograms for almost 30 years almost, and at the end of that, she had breast cancer, and I said, 'Huh. Radiation exposure for years equals breast cancer. Yeah, I'm going to pass. Thanks anyway.' ' She said she began treatment that shrank some of the tumours, but it didn't stop the onslaught. 'I wish I could go back,' she said in one update. 'It's important for me to admit where I went wrong with this.' – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
