Aleysha Shareef, Kelvin Epoy to represent Sarawak at Bintang Kecil finals
KUCHING (July 15): Aleysha Shareef Van Der Horst and Kelvin Epoy Arang have will represent Sarawak at the Bintang Kecil 2025 national finals in September after emerging as the top two finalists for the state-level competition on Saturday.
Themed 'Metaverse', the Sarawak zone contest at the RTM Auditorium P Ramlee drew a crowd of over 500.
Aleysha, 12, from Kuching, belted out Jaclyn Victor's iconic ballad 'Gemilang' to clinch one of the two coveted spots.
She said she was extremely proud to be chosen to represent Sarawak, especially as it marked her first-ever Bahasa Melayu singing competition.
'After competing internationally last year, this one is very special as the vibe during the preparation and final event was incredible. Sarawakians are very music-minded and super supportive in every way,' she told The Borneo Post.
Looking ahead, Aleysha is preparing for several international engagements, including a four-week scholarship programme at the New York Film Academy (NYFA) in the United States, which she earned at the 27th World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) last year.
'Recording demos in Los Angeles is also in progress. At the same time, I'm preparing for the Kemuncak Bintang Kecil 2025 finals, which will be held in Kuching on Sept 20,' she added.
Kelvin, 12, from Bintulu, impressed the judges with his emotional rendition of 'Cinta' by Marsha Milan from the original soundtrack of the television drama 'Masih Ada Rindu'.
'He is very grateful to be selected to compete at the national-level Bintang Kecil and proud to be able to carry the name of Bintulu to the next level,' Kelvin's father Arang Odau told The Borneo Post.
'We are planning ahead to ensure the chosen song suits Kelvin's voice.'
No stranger to competitions, Kelvin was the champion of Pertandingan Karaoke Bintang Kecil organised by Universiti Putra Malaysia Sarawak, Bintulu last November.
He sang the song 'Rahsia Pohon Cemara' by the band Exist to win the competition organised as part of the Sports and Music Carnival.
Both Kelvin and Aleysha received RM2,000, a trophy, and a certificate each for their achievement.
The other four state-level finalists – Dayang Nur Humaira Awang Amir Mahmud (10, Kuching), Nur Atirah Syahirah Sahibuddin (11, Kuching), Mohamad Abiyy Anshary Mohamad Musyadi (12, Miri), and Aleysha's twin brother, Ryan Zachary Shareef Van Der Horst — each received a consolation prize of RM1,000, a trophy, and a certificate.
Sarawak Broadcasting deputy director Norjihan Yahya presented the prizes.
Bintang Kecil is organised by RTM Sarawak in collaboration with the Sarawak Government.
The competition, first introduced at the state level in 1986, expanded to the national stage in 1998. Aleysha Shareef Van Der Horst Bintang Kecil 2025 Kelvin Epoy Arang lead
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