Latest news with #OneInAMillion
New Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Zazzleen's role model is her mum
SHE is the most-talked-about single mother in Malaysian entertainment, at least since she emerged on the music scene with the rebirth of Media Prima's original reality talent show 'One In A Million' (OIAM) late last year. Zazzleen Zulkifli Zain, 38, has been branded a "hot mama" with an Amy Winehouse-like voice. The Kuala Lumpur-born singer and part-time actress has also been hailed as a role model being a single parent who endured two failed marriages, yet gave her best in bringing up three healthy and happy children. Sadly, Zazzleen has put up with her fair share of naysayers and detractors who have called her "too masculine in sound" and "unattractively past her prime", throughout the eight-week OIAM Season 4 or Calpis Soda One In A Million (CSOIAM). She took such talk stoically, worked extra hard to give stellar performances in each concert, and earned glowing praise from the show's judges Ziana Zain and Datuk Yusry Abdul Halim. At the end of her two-month journey, she finished fourth and was the only other woman in the top four besides the champion, Sabahan sweetie Marygrace Jane Penserga. ROYALTY Zazzleen is regarded as "showbiz royalty" as her parents were major showbiz icons. Her father is the late actor Datuk Zulkifli Zain and her mother is veteran singer-actress Datin Normala Omar. She also has a well-known elder sister, Dr Norzizi Zulkifli, a respected performing arts lecturer and theatre director, whose works have won or been nominated for numerous awards over the years. Zazzleen is the fourth of five siblings and has one younger brother. She has three children, Bunga Hanania Adnan, 16, Zayan Rahman, 8, and Zia Zayani Rahman, 5. She is paternally from Alor Star and maternally from Bayan Lepas in Penang. "Growing up, I was the most manja daughter to my parents. In fact, they always said that I was cute and adorable like a Siamese cat!" said Zazzleen. "Back in her heyday, my mother was a great singer and she released a self-titled album containing a dozen songs which I grew up listening to and memorising," she said. Normala's best known songs include 'Citra Cinta', 'Ringgit' and 'Opah'. "Mum acted, danced and sang, and I had always wanted to follow her footsteps, which I eventually did. "I owe my fame to mum, and I'm thankful that she is still in good health and joined me at most of the weekly CSOIAM concerts," said Zazzleen. Zazzleen sang in school talentimes during her days in Sekolah Menengah Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur. "While in secondary school, I also learnt dance and led the school choir. "I learnt traditional dance from the late Datuk Suhaimi Mohd Zain or Pak Ngah, my parents' dear friend," she said. BAND Zazzleen later became a Malaysia Tourism Information Centre (MATIC) dancer who accompanied live performances by her favourite female artiste, pop queen Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza. "Just as Pak Ngah became the maestro behind Tok Ti's rise to stardom, I'd credit him for bringing me up as an entertainer, too." Zazzleen has always shared her problems with her mother who is a very good listener. "It was mum who encouraged me to try my luck in CSOIAM, because it does not have age limits. "Furthermore, it does not fully rely on Short Messaging Service (SMS) votes, but marks from professional judges." During her nightclub days, Zazzleen helped form The A Street Band, which she served as lead vocalist for 10 years. "We had seven members, and while the band has since disbanded, we still keep in touch and my bandmates gave me 100 per cent support in CSOIAM," said Zazzleen. PILLAR Zazzleen describes Normala as her pillar of strength and her moral support after two failed marriages which brought her a lot of emotional pain. "Mum is a fantastic role model. She was firm and wanted her children to be independent and respectful of others. "At the same time she loved to play with us and make us happy," she said. Zazzleen, who raised her children with a little help from her elder sisters, has one regret — her former husbands have refused to reconnect with their children. "It was pretty harrowing at first, they tried hard to re-establish contact with their dads, to no avail. "But gradually, with support from their grandmother, they began to accept reality. "And today they've resigned themselves to the fact that their dads have their own lives to live," said Zazzleen. Zazzleen is currently promoting her single 'Merah' which was composed and written by Audi Mok and Shazee Ishak. "I hope to have a showcase for my mother one day. I plan to sing cover versions of her favourite songs, as well as my late father's favourites. "Mum is especially fond of 'Dia', the solemn yet hopeful breakup song made popular by Fauziah Latiff, a well-known former OIAM judge," said Zazzleen.
Independent Singapore
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
Malaysian singer Suki felt 'most honoured' to perform for President Xi Jinping
MALAYSIA: During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Malaysia recently, a 35-year-old singer was given a chance to perform for him, and she felt touched and proud to have been given the honour, as reported by the New Straits Times. Low, who was the champion of the ' One In A Million ' Season 1 competition, said she was over the moon and that she felt most honoured to have performed for one of the world's most prominent leaders. Photo: Instagram/Suki Low Feeling surreal The singer, who hails from Seremban, said that it felt surreal and that she had performed in many places, but this had a different kind of weight to it. During the show, Low looked out and saw the President applauding, and that is when she thought about how music can be a powerful medium to bridge relationships. She said that, despite any differences, everyone is connected by a melody, and that is powerful. Low shared that she feels incredibly honoured and touched by this. It made her want to work even harder to use her singing for more than just fun. She hopes to connect with different people, encourage positive change, and share important messages through her music. A meaningful compliment to Low The singer couldn't hide her joy at the chance to shake hands with the President , who shared a meaningful compliment to Low. Low sang five songs at the event. She thanked everyone who made the moment a success and said it would always be etched in her heart , not only as a singer but also as a Malaysian. She sang Guang De Fang Xiang (Direction Of Light), a folk song titled Duo Xie Liao (Thank You), Yong Ma Lai Xi Ya De Tian Qi Lai Shuo Ai Ni (Love For Malaysia), Guang Liang (Light), and Pang Yao (Friend). She shared that not many people know about folk songs, but she learned this genre from her vocal teacher when she was young. She said that finally , she had the chance to perform this song in front of the President of China. Low has been learning folk songs since a young age, but there was no proper platform to showcase them. The right moment finally arrived after more than 20 years, and it was not just any moment but a huge milestone for Low, her family, and her teacher, who has patiently nurtured this gift in her for all these years. The singer didn't forget to thank San Singh, her stylist, and Khoon Hooi, the costume designer, for helping her look and feel so fantastic and stylish that night. One in a Million champion Meet Low Sook Yee or Suki Low, as most people know her. Born on Dec 26, 1990, she's a talented Malaysian singer with Chinese roots, hailing from Seremban in Negeri Sembilan. Suki Low rose to prominence by winning the first season of Malaysia's reality singing competition 'One in a Million' in 2006. At the young age of 16, she captured the hearts of the nation and won the grand prize of one million ringgit (S$297,828). During the competition, she performed a variety of songs, showcasing her vocal talent and versatility. In the grand finale, her renditions of 'Berdiri' and 'Everything' secured her victory with 39% of the votes, beating Muhammad Alif bin Mohd Satar and Ahmad Faizal Tahir.
