DA'VINCE

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script type="text/javascript" src="http://hb.lycos.com/hb.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ratings.lycos.com/ratings/lycosRating.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript"><![CDATA[//><!]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://scripts.lycos.com/catman/init.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-start.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-middle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-end.js"></script> <noscript> <img src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/img/common/ot_noscript.gif?rand=53180" alt="" width="1" height="1" />  <iframe frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" width="728" height="90" src="http://ad.yieldmanager.com/st?ad_type=iframe&ad_size=728x90&section=209094"></iframe>  </noscript> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=215 BGCOLOR="#FF6600" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Name:</b><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Courier New" ><B>  </b></FONT></div> <div> Vincent Chong Ying-Cern    </div> <div> <B>Na</b><B>ma Samaran:  </b></div> <div> VINCE   </div> <div> <B> Umur:  </b></div> <div> 24 tahun    </div> <div> <B>Tarikh Lahir:  </b></div> <div> 30.9.1979    </div> <div> <B>Zodiak:  </b></div> <div> Libra    </div> <div> <B>Berasal Dari:  </b></div> <div> Kuala Lumpur, WP</div> <div> <B>Hobi:  </b></div> <div> Melukis / Menulis lagu  </div> <div> <B>M</b><B>akanan Kegemaran:</b></div> <div> Cheese Hamburger </div> <div> <B>Minuman Kegemaran: </b><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Courier New" >Strawberry Shake </FONT></div> <div> <B>Filem Kegemaran: </b></div> <div> Independence Day </div> <div> <B>Lagu Kegemaran:</b></div> <div> Back At One - Brian McKnight </div> <div> <B>Pelakon Kegemaran:</b></div> <div> Jim Carrey </div> <div> <B>Penyanyi Kegemaran:</b></div> <div> Brian McKnight</div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=95 BGCOLOR="#FF9900" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#993366" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>SITI NURHALIZA-DA'PRINCESS OF LOVE- </b></FONT><B>  </b><B> </b><B>|   </b><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SITI NURHALIZADAPRINCESS OF LOVE "><U><B>home</b></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DABEAUTY GLORY"><U>DA'BEAUTY GLORY</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id506.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SITI CENTER"><U>SITI CENTER</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DAAWARD"><U>DA'AWARD</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id708.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DAROYAL"><U>DA'ROYAL</U></A>   |   <B>DA'VINCE</b>   |   <A HREF="id707.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TELL ME WHAT..."><U>TELL ME WHAT...</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=385 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#FFCC33" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1af411e50.jpg" border=0 width="529" height="229" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1af811e60.jpg" border=0 width="529" height="230" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1af311ea0.jpg" border=0 width="529" height="234" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1af511e60.jpg" border=0 width="529" height="230" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1af611e60.jpg" border=0 width="529" height="230" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1af711e60.jpg" border=0 width="529" height="230" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1af91b940.jpg" border=0 width="283" height="404" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>NEWS</U></b></div> <bR> <div> Vince juara Akademi Fantasia</div> <div> KUALA LUMPUR 9 Ogos - Vince atau nama penuhnya Vincent Chong Ying-Cern, 24, seperti yang diduga, muncul juara Akademi Fantasia malam ini.</div> <bR> <div> Vince yang menyanyikan lagu Pernah dendangan asal oleh Ferhad dan lagu baru Tak Ingin Kehilanganmu , memberikan persembahan mantap sewaktu konsert kemuncak Akademi Fantasia yang berlangsung di Dewan Wawasan, Menara PGRM di sini.</div> <bR> <div> Keputusan dibuat sepenuhnya oleh penonton rancangan itu yang disiarkan secara langsung menerusi saluran Astro Ria, menerusi sistem pesanan ringkas (SMS).</div> <bR> <div> Antara lima peserta akhir Akademi Fantasia, Vince sering mendapat kedudukan selesa setiap minggu sejak lapan minggu lepas, berbanding Khai, Azizi, Nija dan Liza yang turut berjaya ke peringkat akhir.</div> <bR> <div> Kemenangan tersebut membolehkan anak muda dari Kuala Lumpur itu membawa pulang piala, sebuah Suzuki Vitara yang bernilai RM142,000 dan wang tunai sebanyak RM10,000.</div> <bR> <div> Tempat kedua pula dimenangi oleh Khai atau nama penuhnya Mohammad Khairul Nizam Mohammad Wahi, 24, yang menerima piala, wang tunai RM7,000, set teater rumah bernilai RM5,000 dan penginapan di Sutera Beach Resort bernilai RM10,000.</div> <bR> <div> Khai mendendangkan lagu Seberapa Pantas dan Dambaan Pilu.</div> <bR> <div> Azizi atau nama penuhnya Ahmad Azizi Mohamed, 27, meraih tempat ketiga dengan lagu Piramid Cinta dan Habis Sudah Umpanku. Dia menerima hadiah berupa piala, wang tunai RM3,000 dan penginapan di Sutera Beach Resort bernilai RM10,000.</div> <bR> <div> Kelima-lima pelajar tersebut dilihat mempunyai karisma tersendiri hasil daripada asuhan para guru profesional selama mereka berada di Akademi Fantasia.</div> <bR> <div> Sementara itu Nija yang membawa lagu Selagi Ada Cinta dan Kenangan Pahit manakala Liza (Pintaku Yang Terakhir dan Jangan Pura-Pura), masing-masing juga mempunyai kelebihan tersendiri.</div> <bR> <div> Akademi Fantasia yang dimulakan sejak 7 Jun lalu adalah sebuah program hiburan yang diambil konsepnya daripada satu program hiburan di Mexico.</div> <bR> <div> Setiap minggu seorang pelajar disingkirkan iaitu setelah mmeperoleh undi terendah pada konsert mingguan yang diacarakan oleh Aznil Nawawi.</div> <bR> <div> Hanya lima orang pelajar sahaja yang dipilih untuk peringkat akhir. Antara pelajar yang telah tersingkir ialah Sahri, Nana, Rosma, Burn, Atie, Adi dan Azza.</div> <bR> <div> Program Akademi Fantasia yang mencetuskan fenomena baru dan sering membuat penonton mengalirkan air mata setiap minggu itu bertujuan untuk mencungkil bakat-bakat baru dalam bidang seni.</div> <bR> <div> Malah, program yang mendapat rating tinggi di saluran Astro Ria itu juga pertama kali memberi kuasa penuh kepada penonton untuk memilih pemenang berdasarkan penilaian sendiri, tanpa ada juri profesional.</div> <bR> <div> Vince still on cloud nine after victory</div> <div> BY ZIEMAN</div> <bR> <div> PETALING JAYA: Vincent Chong is still on cloud nine after emerging as the winner of Akademi Fantasia, the talent quest organised by Astro.  </div> <bR> <div> "I am still in a daze. I am pretty much ignorant about the impact of the contest. I've no idea that the show was so well-received and that our habits and bloopers were caught and screened on TV every week," the singer said of the talent quest cum reality TV show, which required viewers to vote for their choices via SMS.  </div> <bR> <div> For Vince, who collected 31% of the SMS votes, it was another feather in his cap as he was also the first runner-up in the Chinese category in Astro's Talent Quest 2002 competition. </div> <bR> <div> With his good looks, strong vocals and an endearing personality, Vince was clearly the viewers' favourite. </div> <bR> <div> Vince is so glad to be part of the success.</div> <div> Besides having to face the reality of being quarantined for nine weeks at the academy, he was literally cut off from the outside world with no contact with family and friends. </div> <bR> <div> "We didn't even know that all our movements were being monitored. The reality only sets in when we saw how people reacted when they saw us after the finals," said the 24-year-old, who is the second oldest among six siblings.  </div> <bR> <div> Vince, who sang Ferhad's Pasrah and an original composition - Tak Ingin Kehilanganmu - won a Suzuki Vitara worth RM142,000, RM10,000 and a trophy. </div> <bR> <div> He has also secured a recording contract with Astro. In fact, Vince, who had entered Akademi Fantasia to become an accomplished composer, had already received attractive recording offers even before he won the contest. </div> <bR> <div> Vince started singing gospel songs while in school and his talent was nurtured by his English mother Susan Ann Chong, who once aspired to be an actress, and his architect father Chong Chen Kian, who secretly wished to become a professional singer. </div> <bR> <div> "Looks like I am the one who has realised their unfulfilled dreams. After being exposed for nine weeks at the academy, I think I just want to cut my own album. That would be the right path for me from now on," he added. </div> <bR> <div> On the success of the show, he said: "It has been a phenomenon of sorts. I am so glad to be part of the success. </div> <bR> <div> "It was a hit because of the camaraderie that we had as we interacted like one big family."  </div> <bR> <div> He added: "All the students at the academy are talented, thanks to the trainers and the dedicated production team. What we appreciate most is how they managed to package us and make us a sensation overnight. That's more than we can ask for." </div> <bR> <div> Vince's first taste of fame began after he was named the winner of Astro's Family Day contest. He and the other finalists and students were mobbed by fans, and even a chain of 50 bodyguards found it tough keeping the hysterical fans in check. </div> <bR> <div> "They almost `ripped off' my hands to take pictures of me," recalled Vince. </div> <bR> <div> "All this adulation is so flattering but we were taught at the academy to always keep our feet firmly on the ground and not allow popularity and success get to our heads.  </div> <bR> <div> "I will always remember that," said Vince, who will embark on a nationwide concert tour with the other students to show their gratitude to Malaysians next month.  </div> <bR> <div> All the students of Akademi Fantasia were put up in three bungalows at the Mines Resort City in Seri Kembangan and were taught "entertainment skills" like singing and dancing during the nine weeks. </div> <bR> <div> Their activities were recorded to enable viewers to judge their personality and talent. The show, which started its run over Astro Ria in June, is based on popular Mexican TV show La Academia. </div> <bR> <div> At the academy, whose principal is Freddie Fernandez, the students were given training on vocals, dance and stage presentation.  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Vince bangga AF satukan rakyat Malaysia</b></div> <div> <B>Oleh Zul Husni Abdul Hamid</b></div> <bR> <bR> <div> VINCENT Chong Ying-Cern, 24, masih lagi terkejut apabila diumumkan sebagai juara Akademi Fantasia (AF) malah tidak menduga kehadirannya sebagai finalis tunggal bukan Melayu dalam konsert kemuncak AF yang berlangsung di Dewan Wawasan, Menara PGRM, Kuala Lumpur, malam kelmarin diterima baik komuniti Melayu.</div> <bR> <div> Vince yang ditemui selepas konsert berakhir berkata, tiada yang lebih menggembirakan apabila kemunculannya ini mendapat sokongan yang cukup kuat daripada peminat Melayu.</div> <bR> <div> AF katanya, berjaya meruntuhkan perbezaan warna kulit dan bangsa seseorang peserta kerana mereka hidup bagaikan sebuah keluarga besar.</div> <bR> <div> "Saya terharu dengan sokongan yang diberikan. Penerimaan penonton Melayu membuktikan antara kita semua tiada perbezaan bangsa atau warna kulit. Malah, saya bangga kerana AF menyatukan bangsa Malaysia.</div> <bR> <div> "Saya sendiri dapat merasakan perubahan sejak menyertai AF. Kalau dulu, BM (bahasa Melayu) saya sedikit kelam-kabut tetapi sejak berada dalam AF, saya dapat rasakan perubahan yang terutama dari segi pertuturan dan penguasaan bahasa. Saya bercadang menghadiri kelas BM untuk memperbaiki kelemahan ini," katanya.</div> <bR> <div> Anak kelahiran Royal London Hospital yang dibesarkan di ibu kota itu berkata, soal kemenangan tidak pernah bermain di fikirannya. Apa yang lebih penting baginya ialah melakukan yang terbaik dan gembira di atas pentas.</div> <bR> <div> "Apa yang sering saya fikirkan ialah berseronok apabila menghiburkan penonton. Setiap kali berada di atas pentas, saya dapat rasa bagaikan ada satu kekuatan yang datang secara tiba-tiba.</div> <bR> <div> "Justeru, kemenangan ini cukup mengejutkan. Malah dari awal lagi, saya tidak pernah menyangka akan dapat ke pertandingan akhir. Saya akui mempunyai kelemahan dalam bahasa Melayu dan kejayaan ini adalah pencapaian terbaik saya," katanya yang mempertaruhkan harapan kepada lagu Pernah (dendangan asal Ferhad) dan sebuah lagu baru, Tak Ingin Kehilanganmu.</div> <bR> <div> Vince yang sentiasa menerima undian tinggi penonton berkata, sejak Rosma digugurkan dari AF, dia tidak berani menaruh sebarang harapan. Dia menerima kenyataan bahawa apa saja boleh berlaku dan bersedia untuk menghadapi kekecewaan.</div> <bR> <div> "Rosma, Burn dan Sahri adalah mereka yang mempunyai kekuatan vokal tersendiri. Sejak mereka terkeluar, saya berserah kepada Tuhan dan berusaha memperbaiki persembahan. Saya dapat rasakan semua finalis berjaya memberikan yang terbaik terutama Nija," katanya.</div> <bR> <div> Jarang sekali berlaku dalam diari pertandingan nyanyian di negara ini apabila penyanyi lelaki mengungguli tiga tempat terbaik. Namun, Konsert Kemuncak AF malam kelmarin meruntuhkan tanggapan itu apabila tiga peserta lelaki menguasai undi penonton sekali gus membolot tiga tempat teratas.</div> <bR> <div> Selain Vince yang dinobatkan pengundi sebagai yang terbaik, kebolehan Mohammad Khairul Nizam Mohammad Wahi atau Khai, 24, juga tidak perlu dipertikaikan. Khai yang semakin menonjol menjelang penghujung AF, mula memberi tentangan hebat kepada Vince apabila mendahului peserta itu pada minggu kelapan.</div> <bR> <div> Kedudukan Vince yang mulai goyah selepas menerima undian kedua terendah pada konsert kelapan, memutikkan harapan, acara kemuncak bakal menyaksikan persaingan hebat antara Vince dan Khai.</div> <bR> <div> Menjelang konsert, undian Khai terus memberi saingan. Namun, dia ternyata tidak mampu mengekang kemaraan Vince yang tampil dengan persembahan bertenaga dan membanggakan, akhirnya meletakkan peserta dari Johor Bahru itu di tempat kedua.</div> <bR> <div> Kritikan pengkritik persembahan tidak dinafikan turut mempengaruhi undian penonton. Bagaimanapun, dalam hal ini, peserta dari Kuantan, Pahang, Ahmad Azizi Mohamed, 27, terkecuali.</div> <bR> <div> Walaupun menerima `tamparan' hebat daripada pengkritik ketiga, Ramli MS, namun ia tidak menjejaskan kepercayaan peminat untuk mengundinya. Undian mereka berjaya meletakkan Azizi pada tempat ketiga walaupun sebelum ini ramai meramalkan peluangnya untuk meraih kedudukan selesa sedikit tergugat.</div> <bR> <div> Azizi yang cukup merendah diri itu mengakui dia hanya ada bakat yang menjadi sandaran untuk dinilai peminat. Kemenangannya membuktikan peminat semakin matang dalam menilai kebolehan dan tidak lagi bergantung kepada rupa semata-mata.</div> <bR> <div> Mungkin Liza bertuah kerana dikurniakan raut wajah jelita, namun faktor itu hanya sebagai bonus. Walaupun memberi persembahan meyakinkan dengan lagu, Pintaku Yang Terakhir nyanyian asal Dayang Nurfaizah dan lagu baru, Jangan Pura-Pura, pelajar dari Taiping, Perak itu tidak mampu mengatasi ketiga-tiga peserta lelaki berkenaan.</div> <bR> <div> Nija punya kebolehan tersendiri dan harus diakui, persembahan malam kelmarin adalah yang terbaik pernah disaksikan. Penguasaan pentas Nija menampakkan kematangan dan komunikasi yang baik membolehkan peserta, juga dari Johor Bahru ini, memenangi hati peminat dengan gaya persembahan tersendiri.</div> <bR> <div> Bagaimanapun, rezeki tidak berpihak kepada gadis berambut panjang itu. Dia yang dikatakan satu-satunya peserta wanita yang menyaingi hebat peserta lelaki, terpaksa akur dengan undian peminat yang tidak memihak kepadanya.</div> <bR> <div> Konsert itu juga menyaksikan buat kali pertama kesemua 12 peserta bergabung semula di atas pentas dengan kemunculan Azza (menyanyikan lagu Memori), Adi (Aku Cinta Kau & Dia), Atie (Hi Hi Bye Bye) Burn (Back At One), Rosma (My All), Nana (I Will Survive) dan Sahri (Di Sudut Kamar Hatiku).</div> <bR> <div> <B>Cover Story: Akademi of success</b></div> <div> <B>Joe Lee</b></div> <bR> <div> AS one entertainment journalist put it, the `Akademi Fantasia' fever has reached epidemic proportions.</div> <bR> <div> So, while 24-year-old Vincent Chong has driven off into the sunset with a Suzuki Vitara worth RM142,000, RM10,000 in cash, and a trophy, the buzz has hardly died down.</div> <bR> <div> The amazing nine weeks of the grooming of 12 talents into star material kept audiences glued to the boob tube.</div> <bR> <div> Those not subscribing to Astro have been even known to make their way to eateries with satellite TV service or conveniently visit friends who happen to have a dish and a decoder.</div> <bR> <div> Indeed, the overwhelming response has even caught Astro off-guard.</div> <bR> <div> Endless complaints of SMS votes not getting through due to network congestion, to people willing to queue outside the venue of the final as early as 3am in the hope of getting one of the 300 seats prove the popularity of the show.</div> <bR> <div> Astro's bet on the programme has certainly paid off big.</div> <bR> <div> Hot on the heels of the disaster that was ntv7's Popstars, Astro's venture to produce Akademi Fantasia, which is based on a popular reality TV Mexican television show, La Academia, was nothing short of a dive into the unknown.</div> <bR> <div> Their format, where winners were voted to stay on by the public via SMS, was locally unheard of. The daily insight into the lives of the 12 selected finalists, beginning with Tirai Akademi Fantasia and on to the daily Diari Akademi Fantasia to the weekend eliminator in Konsert Akademi Fantasia, AF, as it is popularly known, made household stars of even the most untalented in the show.</div> <bR> <div> Proof? A total of almost five million SMS votes was received in the period of nine weeks, with some 800,000 alone for the final. And despite not being on a free- to-air station, the interest generated has been unprecedented since the beginning of Malaysian TV.</div> <bR> <div> And for a programme which has not only created one superstar, but 12 household names, it's simply an phenomenon.</div> <bR> <div> While Vince, the eventual winner, is now the hottest hunk in Malaysia, Mohammad Khairul Nizam Mohammad Wahi or Khai, who finished second and Ahmad Azizi Mohamad (Azizi), who finished third, grabbed the limelight last Saturday night, it did not eclipse the efforts of the others including their fellow finalists Siti Harnizah Tahar (Nija) and Nurlizawaty Ismail (Liza).</div> <bR> <div> The spotlight was equally shared, even with the seven who were eliminated coming back for a swan song at the graduation of their successful peers.</div> <bR> <div> Instead of fawning over the amazing performances of the five for the night, highlights and repeats of which will be available over both Astro Ria and AF 17, here's a low-down on the more interesting issues and goss-bits.</div> <bR> <div> SMS STAYS</div> <bR> <div> DESPITE complaints of network congestion and possible lop-sidedness in the results, Astro Malay programming head Zainir Aminullah said the SMS voting method would be retained.</div> <bR> <div> "There's only so much technology can do, and it's virtually impossible for the telecommunication providers to do what is beyond their capability," he said.</div> <bR> <div> "The response has simply been amazing and beyond anybody's expectations, but we think it works best to leave the power of selection in the hands of the viewers." And as with any professional jury, Zainir explained, there is bound to be pros and cons.</div> <bR> <div> "Even with a jury of professionals, the results may not please everyone.</div> <bR> <div> "But how can you argue against popular opinion, which is what the SMS method amounts to." For the final AF concert, however, SMS voters can feel good about themselves for texting their choice of winners as proceeds from some 800,000 SMS votes that night would be donated to various charities.</div> <bR> <div> For the second season of AF, Zainir said the number of students would probably be increased from 12 to 20 though it will still probably take up only nine weeks to run.</div> <bR> <div> Auditions will also be done on a more extensive basis beyond the venues of Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Pinang and Kuantan.</div> <bR> <div> VINCE'S WINNING WAYS</div> <bR> <div> VINCE, who won the first-ever title of AF, was more than touched by the win.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm glad and touched to have been accepted by the Malay community. I'm proud to be a Malaysian," he gushed.</div> <bR> <div> And while he was gushing on and most of the female population drooled (as well as some men) in the post-event press conference, it was indeed a statement that hit home with the success of AF.</div> <bR> <div> In any case, it was a major win for all as the audience at the final concert were distinctly cross-cultural.</div> <bR> <div> Has local TV finally come up with a format that not only sends us running for more Kleenex with unwritten yet believable plots, but also unified our multiracial mix to share in the drama?</div> <bR> <div> ROSMA'S LOSING WAYS</div> <bR> <div> "I admit I do not know how to communicate effectively," says 18- year-old Rosmayati Sidik, more affectionately known as Rosma.</div> <bR> <div> No kidding! The gutsy girl had been the target of many AF followers due to her sharp tongue and blunt responses.</div> <bR> <div> "For me, that's my style, and I'm simply being honest." Despite the many nasty remarks about Rosma, she soldiered on patiently, perhaps realising it's not too late to learn from her mistakes.</div> <bR> <div> "At any rate, I thank God, and I thank everyone at AF for the opportunity and the experience. I have improved myself and I've even been able to get over my stage fright and shyness." To be fair though, part of the criticism thrown at Rosma may be due more to the protective fans of Khai, who is known to have a huge female following.</div> <bR> <div> The other `target' was Liza, who has come under scrutiny for remarks she has been getting over the nature of her alleged relationship with Vince.</div> <bR> <div> On her remarks that there was a particular male student whom she despised, Rosma sighed and said while her personal dislike for the person is very much real, "I take it all as in the past and I've put things behind us." She did not reveal who that person was.</div> <bR> <div> THE RUMOUR MILL</div> <bR> <div> WITH the singers having achieved celeb status, you can expect rumours about them to abound.</div> <bR> <div> Take for instance, the events which fuelled the rumours on the night of the final.</div> <bR> <div> From host Aznil Nawawi's jibes at both Liza and Vince's parents, who were seated next to each other, to the photo of Vince whipped out by Liza, and the photo of Rosma by Khai, as well as a well-edited, emotionally moving montage done in `slow-mo' of the latter couple - it's hard to tell what was planned and what wasn't.</div> <bR> <div> The four claim that it was all nothing more than a production set-up.</div> <bR> <div> Vince claimed to be the first victim of a `set-up' when the portrait used by Liza as part of her props, bore more than an uncanny resemblance to Vince.</div> <bR> <div> "They're always full of surprises," exclaimed Vince. "It was a total set-up. I wondered why the portrait was covered! And I was shocked when it was me there when Liza uncovered it.</div> <bR> <div> "By the time Khai's turn came around, Rosma's photo was hardly a surprise." Followers of the Vince cult can rest in the fact that he proclaims Liza as nothing more than a friend. "I like being with her and teasing her, and I simply enjoy her company. I don't know how it's been edited to look though," he shrugs.</div> <bR> <div> They say when it rains, it pours, and Khai's tear-jerker turned into a massive Kleenex fest when not only did he parade with a photo of Rosma, but the audience were also treated to a slow-mo recap of the moments Khai and Rosma spent together in AF.</div> <bR> <div> "I didn't know it was her photograph," Khai laughed.</div> <bR> <div> "I mean, we're all just really close and have mutual admiration for each other.</div> <bR> <div> "I did not notice the video montage going on in the background, and while I was told to hold the photograph up to the camera, it was supposed to be a picture of a horse!"</div> <bR> <div> SENSITIVE SAHRI</div> <bR> <div> THE fuller figure of Sahri Mohd Sarip, 24, from Malacca has become a familiar figure, thanks to his ability to make even the hardest of hearts melt with his crooning which not only tugs, but yanks at the heart-strings.</div> <bR> <div> His proclaimed low self-esteem, unlike the campus relationships, was very much real, thanks to his few extra pounds.</div> <bR> <div> "For the first week, I was really down, as I felt I had terrible looks in comparison to the other students.</div> <bR> <div> "By the next week, I was just pushing on and trying to survive." It was only in the later weeks, before his subsequent elimination, that he realised that he had garnered a sizeable following.</div> <bR> <div> "I mean, in hindsight, staying on for eight weeks, and being the last student to be eliminated, is an achievement itself, and I'm really happy and proud of all the interest and appreciation showered upon me by the viewers and followers of AF." While some may claim his `sensitivity' is merely a gimmick, Sahri claimed the emotions and tears for both him and the other students were pretty real.</div> <bR> <div> NEMO GETS THE VOTES</div> <bR> <div> THE star who almost stole the limelight from the graduating final five students of Akademi Fantasia was undoubtedly Nemo.</div> <bR> <div> In fact, in the run-up to the finals last Saturday night, fans were texting calls to `AF UNDI NEMO' over the AF dedicated channel 17 on Astro online chat.</div> <bR> <div> The furry feline stole the hearts of the fans, and became an overnight household name.</div> <bR> <div> In fact, on the night of the final, Astro personnel reportedly received an offer from a fan to purchase the cat for RM10,000.</div> <bR> <div> The attention the AF household pet which belongs to Khai enjoyed sums up the extent of the AF fever.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Va Va Vince!</b></div> <div> <B>Rina Omar</b></div> <bR> <bR> <div> VINCENT Chong, known affectionately to fans of reality show Akademi Fantasia as Vince, can easily be regarded as the first Malaysian superstar.</div> <bR> <div> He is, after all, the people's choice, winning majority votes nationwide to emerge as the champion. And why not? Blessed with good looks, a voice that can melt polar ice caps and a down-to-earth character, he's destined to make waves in the entertainment industry - and in the hearts of women everywhere.</div> <bR> <div> But he's still in shock. After nine weeks of being shut away from "civilisation", glimpsing the world briefly only whenever contestants battled for vocal prowess and showmanship weekly on stage, it's to be expected.</div> <bR> <div> "It's been just ... amazing," he said. "I didn't expect the programme to have so much impact. I've seen girls screaming ... thousands of fans ... and I'm still shell-shocked. Even my sisters had to sign autographs on the night of the finals, pose for a couple of hundred pictures with fans, people bugging them for phone numbers ...</div> <bR> <div> There were fans in the thousands, waiting outside our hotel after the event! "I thought that this sort of thing only happens to Michael Jackson (laughs). I was like, oh my goodness! What is happening? What did we do? What's so great watching our faces every day on TV? (laughs)."</div> <bR> <div> While the country gets to peep into their lives, they, ironically, could not look back into the rest of the world.</div> <bR> <div> "For nine weeks, we were not told anything about the outside world. We were totally isolated, left ignorant about everything. Initially it didn't bother me, being cut off from the real world, but after a while I did feel pretty lost without my handphone.</div> <bR> <div> "There was no TV, we couldn't get newspapers - even our nasi lemak wrappers were checked to see if the newspapers were last year's ... That's how strict it was. No leakage of information at all.</div> <bR> <div> "There was no contact allowed with the crew members as well. They had to stand still or turn their backs when we were around. We weren't supposed to get any information about what was going on outside - how big the show was, how popular the students were, the racial issues on the forum - so we would stay focused," he elaborated.</div> <bR> <div> To him, the AF experience is defined by the bond he developed with the other students.</div> <bR> <div> "Although I was a bit conscious about that (being non-Malay and not being able to speak Malay well), it didn't stop me because I'm always willing to learn and try new things.</div> <bR> <div> I believe if you try to blend in with others, learn about their culture, learn their ways, it's easier to be a part of them. Just kick aside race and colour, get to know each other." He said that he imbibed this attitude from his mother, "cos she's so friendly".</div> <bR> <div> Everywhere they went, people would know his mother, sometimes addressing her by name - because she made an effort to be nice to everyone. "We're brought up to be friendly to everyone.</div> <bR> <div> It doesn't hurt to smile, say hello. I mean, why not?" Camaraderie with the other students of AF helped him cope with the seclusion from the real world for the duration of the show.</div> <bR> <div> "What kept me alive in the Akademi was my relationship with the students. I mean, there was no point in making enemies, even if it was a competition. I wanted to make friends with them, take the initiative and get close to them.</div> <bR> <div> "I feel happy, they're all from different parts of Malaysia, some are from the kampung ... we have different styles of speaking, different attitudes and personalities. What's beautiful is watching all these different elements come together and I got to blend in and be a part of it all."</div> <bR> <div> He admits that he did have his doubts about winning or even fitting in, given the fact that most of the participants were Malay and it was a Malay show aired on a Malay station. But he was pleasantly surprised at how things turned out.</div> <bR> <div> "I was touched that they wanted to learn about me too, be my friend. I learnt to eat with my hands, helped them with their English ... When I was announced the winner, it moved me so much that the public accepted me for who I am, and didn't care if I was a Malay, Chinese or Indian ... It's not about race."</div> <bR> <div> And Vince should know, not being a stranger to racist remarks. A child of mixed parentage, he has been a target of vicious jokes and name-calling.</div> <bR> <div> "I had a hard time, not just because I was fat, but also because I looked white. Remarks like "Balik England lah!', "Orang putih', "Mat Salleh' ... all those kinds of things. "Kids can be cruel; they really don't know the extent of what they say and do. Maybe these values came from their parents, their upbringing.</div> <bR> <div> I had good Malay friends who defended me when their peers made fun of me. "I've learnt to put these things aside and just appreciate what I have now. I feel more accepted by the (majority-Malay) community now. I'm deeply touched. I'd like to see this in every Malaysian - Chinese, Indians, Malays alike.</div> <bR> <div> "We enter competitions together, do things together. We're always talking about a multi-racial country. But there's no point when that's only on the surface. On the inside, we have to come together as well. No more categorising.</div> <bR> <div> "It's not about singing and performing, it's about learning about each other. You get to understand the other person. We understand why people act the way they are, what upsets them. And it affects you too. The experience has been an emotional roller coaster," he said.</div> <bR> <div> In this respect, Vince is almost always spotted crying at the end of each show. What's the deal? "Yup ... (laughs).</div> <bR> <div> I am a sensitive man. I'm not like Brendan Fraser in Bedazzled though. You remember the sensitive man' crying all the time (makes a hilarious impersonation of that scene) waahhh ... not like that-lah.</div> <bR> <div> "The moment a person leaves, you know you've created a bond with them and you won't be seeing them for a while. It's sad." He likens the Akademi to a jigsaw puzzle, where all 12 of the students make a complete picture when together.</div> <bR> <div> Every time a student leaves, there's a missing piece. But come the finals, the jigsaw puzzle is once again complete when all the students are reunited. It was, as he said, the reward at the end of the journey.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Along with a new Suzuki Vitara, RM10,000 and thousands of screaming fans, of course!</div> <div> How did it all start? The love for music ... and that smooth-as-chocolate voice?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I was into singing young. Since I was six, seven years old. My mom said I started even younger than that, when I was in Britain, barely two years old. She knew then I was into music. She would buy those singalong tapes and I'd learn them all. From age seven I could already do second voice (harmonies) for vocals I heard.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "At home ... yeah, I sing in the bathroom. I think my family really enjoys my singing in the shower," he said, laughing.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> No doubt, a walk into the Chong house during Vince's shower hour might give us clues to his idols - Brian McKnight and Luther Vandross. But nowadays Vince is a little more high-tech, so to speak.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "A couple of years back, I started practising my singing at the computer. I had some music recording software, started writing my own songs, and used the computer to record it. Wow ... there was this one time I wrote four songs in a week.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Not all the songs I write are love songs. I mean I'm not the mushy, love-dovey guy. Yeah, I have written love songs but some are songs of inspiration. One of them is called Hold On To Your Dreams, written two years ago. I was depressed then. It was like I wanted to go somewhere but it was not happening. And doing this song inspired me. And my friends loved it."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Despite the fact that we've seen him as the guitar-playing Akademi student (he picked up guitar playing from his dad), he's looking to singing more R&B-flavoured songs in the future. (Ladies, rejoice!)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I won't limit myself to just R&B though. I can sing a lot of styles - blues, jazz, even opera. We did an opera classical performance in church once, I was 14 then. And I did a Pavarotti and the churchgoers were shocked that a voice like that was coming from a kid. I also do alternative rock.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm just a music lover. And ever since AF, I've learnt to appreciate Malay music, Irama Malaysia stuff too. Before this I could not comprehend the music, susah nak minat (hard to like) these types of songs. But when I got closer to the students, I began to appreciate their songs ... even keroncong.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "If I do write Malay songs, I'd definitely need help with the lyrics though," he said, with another burst of laughter.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> What about dream duets? Who would he want to sing with, given the chance?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'd have to say Mariah Carey. I'd love to sing a duet with her, but it's impossible because she's like ... oh my God ... If the scope was Malaysian, I'd have to say Nora or Siti Nurhaliza. And from the Akademi - it would definitely be Rosma. We did a version of One Sweet Day on one of the episodes, and it was nice. We enjoyed singing together," he said.</div> <div> So what does Vince do when he's not singing in the bathroom? Would we find him dancing the night away at some trendy club?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "I'm not a clubber. Honestly speaking, I don't like clubbing. Because I don't smoke. I hate smoke, I hate the smell of smoke. And I don't drink. Clubs may be a nice place to hang out and have fun and stuff, but I'm only there when my friends call me out ... which is once a month, once every three months.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "For me I don't see the point in going clubbing if you're trying to catch up with your friends. And you can't talk over the loud music. I prefer to do this at the mamak's. I'm not saying that clubs are a bad place, I mean it's a fun place to go and let loose and stuff. But it's just not me lah," he says.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> So, would we find him in a mall then, shopping for some ladies' man outfits? Just mentioning the word shopping has Vince's eyes rolling, ever so slightly. And he takes a long, deep breath.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Honestly, I don't like it. I'm the type who goes into a shopping centre, gets what he wants and leaves. No hanging around. When I'm with my mom and sisters, I'm like ... "No, not again'.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Girls can just spend the entire day in the mall and not buy anything. But I've learned from my experience. Nowadays, I'm wise enough to tell them, "Okay, I'll leave you alone now', go to Starbucks or Coffee Bean with a paper and amuse myself," he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> So, if you were a nice, single girl and you happened to be at the same cafe Vince was hanging at ...</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "The kind of woman who catches my eye has to be outgoing, sporty. She must love sports, must have a backbone, cannot lembik-lembik (be a softie). I love a woman with a strong handshake. She cannot be too dependent, must be tolerant, and have a good sense of humour.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Looks don't really bother me, because the beauty from inside will eventually determine the beauty that is outside. There are so many girls that I've met before, who are all gorgeous on the outside, and then you get to know the person inside - all of a sudden, they look terrible.</div> <div> "And there are some who look like plain Janes, and then when you get to know them better, they end up looking really beautiful to you.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "It is true, about the beauty people have inside. It's not just something ugly people say (laughs). If you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, there's no point in it if she's gorgeous, but rotten on the inside. Seriously. You cannot find happiness in that," he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Given his knack for belting out ballads, what's the most romantic thing he has ever done for a girl?</div> <div> "If you must know ... I had this hair steamer in my house, I helped her put on the conditioner onto her hair, wrap it up and set it under the steamer ... And while she was there, waiting, I made her some tea, a sandwich, gave her a massage ..."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> So girls, have we proven that there's more to Vince than his amazing voice and cheeky smile?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> You'll definitely see more of him as the students of AF make their way around the country for road shows, organised by Astro Ria. Just make sure you watch your local event listings to see when Vince and his friends will be rolling into your town!</div> <bR> <bR> <div> His message for all you guys out there :</div> <div> "I just wanna say I'm deeply touched by all the people who believed in me and voted for me. I'm moved by the fact that all races came together in support of this programme.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "For those who want to join next year, bear in mind that it's not about glamour. If that's your aim, forget it. If fame is what you want, you're not going to make it. Passion is what you should have.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Passion for music, a love for music. You cannot be selfish with music, it is something to be shared. You can't keep it to yourself, thinking "Oh I wanna keep this, it's my music, my glamour'. The ME has to be out.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> "My motto is hold on to my dreams and never give up," he said.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Vince idaman ramai</b></div> <bR> <div> Luahan hati pemenang</div> <bR> <div> Vincent Chong Ying Cern (Vince) - Juara Akademi Fantasia</div> <bR> <div> "SELAMA ini saya tak pernah terfikir soal menang. Saya hanya enjoy apa yang saya dan kawan-kawan buat dalam akademi. Setiap minggu beraksi di konsert, saya hanya fikir buat yang terbaik. Apabila di kelas rasa biasa saja, tetapi sebaik naik pentas tengok sambutan penonton, tiba-tiba bersemangat untuk mempersembahkan yang paling bagus.</div> <bR> <div> "Sebenarnya, dapat masuk final pun saya rasa macam tidak percaya. Sebab itulah apabila nama saya diumumkan juara Akademi Fantasia musim pertama, saya terkejut sangat apakah yang disebut ini nama saya ataupun bukan.</div> <bR> <div> "Saya sedar penguasaan bahasa Melayu saya tidak berapa bagus kerana perbualan harian saya dengan keluarga lebih berbahasa Inggeris. Sudah tentulah kemenangan ini satu pencapaian di luar jangkaan saya.</div> <bR> <div> "Yang pasti, keputusan ini menunjukkan komuniti Melayu menerima saya yang berdarah kacukan. Dalam pemilihan ini mereka tidak melihat kepada bangsa, dan ini membuatkan saya bangga jadi rakyat Malaysia.</div> <bR> <div> "Kemenangan ini juga kemenangan semua pelajar akademi, Liza, Nija, Khai, Azizi, Azza, Atie, Adi, Burn, Sahri, Nana Rosma kerana di kalangan kami masing-masing memerah keringat untuk memburu gelaran yang satu ini.</div> <bR> <div> "Sesuatu yang tidak saya jangka, sebelum ini Bahasa Melayu saya kelam kabut sikit tetapi selepas sembilan minggu bergaul dengan rakan di akademi, pertuturan Bahasa Melayu saya semakin baik.</div> <bR> <div> "Saya bercadang nak masuk kelas bahasa Melayu selepas ini untuk saya lebih yakin dan selesa apabila berhubung dengan kawan-kawan bangsa Melayu. Seperkara di malam kemuncak, melihat jeritan penonton dalam Dewan Wawasan itu, saya menjangkakan Nija yang akan mencipta sejarah. Saya dengar laungan namanya itu.</div> <bR> <div> "Lagipun selepas Rosma keluar, saya mula tengok undian tidak menentu jadi tidak berani mengharap apa-apa. Semua pelajar AF adalah yang terbaik cuma sudah ditentukan Tuhan, saya akan bawa gelaran juara ini.</div> <bR> <div> Mohammad Khairul Nizam Mohammad (Khai) - pemenang kedua</div> <bR> <div> "SAYA banyak belajar perkara baru di akademi. Sebelum ini saya dan Nija selalu masuk pertandingan karaoke di sekitar Johor Bharu. Nija juga yang mengajak saya pergi uji bakat untuk masuk ke akademi.</div> <bR> <div> Tidak tahu siapa yang akan menang kerana semuanya bagus. Masuk final pun sudah cukup baik tetapi saya sangat bersyukur di atas kemenangan ini. Terus terang saya terpaksa melakukan sedikit pengorbanan untuk ke akademi dengan tekad berhenti kerja dari sebuah syarikat kewangan. Sebabnya majikan tidak meluluskan cuti tiga bulan saya.</div> <bR> <div> Di akademi kami terputus hubungan dengan dunia luar dan tidak tahu AF sangat popular. Mula masuk ke akademi terasa lain, sudah lama sikit baru boleh sesuaikan diri. Apa pun terima kasih kepada penonton kerana mengundi saya.</div> <bR> <div> Ahmad Azizi Mohamed (Azizi) - pemenang ketiga</div> <bR> <div> SELALUNYA orang tengok artis pada paras rupa namun saya sedar, saya kurang yang itu. Saya cuma pertaruhkan bakat untuk memburu satu gelaran di bidang seni yang akan menjadi kebangaan buat diri saya kemudian hari.</div> <bR> <div> "Sebab itulah, bila nama saya diumumkan tempat ketiga, saya rasa seperti tak percaya kerana ada juga yang sudi mengundi saya. Undian mereka itu jelas memperlihatkan mereka menilai peserta bukan pada paras rupa.</div> <bR> <div> "Ini permulaan sihat buat industri hiburan tanah air kita. Terus terang, setiap kali beraksi di konsert, saya berusaha tunjuk kelainan sikit. Sebab itu, bila kena kutuk teruk dengan Ramli MS saya terima dengan hati terbuka tetapi dalam hatibertekad memperbaiki lagi.</div> <bR> <div> Siti Harnizah Taha (Nija) - pemenang keempat</div> <bR> <div> SEMUA peserta sudah buat yang terbaik. Saya sendiri tidak pernah fikir bertahan hingga ke konsert terakhir. Selama lapan minggu kedudukan Nija selalu di tempat terakhir atau kedua terakhir. Ini dinamakan rezeki, tak sangka ada peminat dan terharu sangat.</div> <bR> <div> Terima kasih kerana mengundi Nija dan doakanlah kejayaan Nija selepas ini.</div> <bR> <div> Nurlizawaty Mohd Ismail (Liza) - tempat kelima</div> <bR> <div> LIZA bersyukur sampai ke tahap sekarang dan gembira dapat belajar di akademi. Terus terang akademi ini bagaikan sebuah keluarga besar. Terima kasih juga kepada tenaga pengajar dan kawan-kawan di akademi yang memberi dorongan dan semangat untuk memperbaiki kelemahan setiap minggu.</div> <bR> <div> Liza masih kekal dengan sifat pemalu dan berusaha untuk mengatasinya.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Diserbu peminat fanatik</b></div> <bR> <div> <B>Oleh ROSLI MANAH</b></div> <bR> <div> LEBIH tiga bulan lalu, sebuah iklan menjanjikan tawaran menjadi bintang seperti Siti Nurhaliza. Iklan itu adalah iklan Akademi Fantasia (AF). Ternyata iklan itu menarik perhatian ramai remaja untuk menyertainya meskipun butiran pertandingan itu tidak diperincikan.</div> <bR> <div> Kini setelah tamat sembilan minggu, program yang menjadi kegilaan orang ramai itu mencapai kemuncaknya apabila terlahir juara sulung.</div> <bR> <div> Vince yang sering mendapat undi tertinggi sejak awal program terus unggul. Akhirnya anak muda berusia 24 tahun kacukan Cina dan Australia itu berjaya memandu jip Suzuki Vitara.</div> <bR> <div> AF kini bukan lagi sebuah fantasi sebaliknya telah berpijak di alam nyata. Pelajar-pelajar kini tidak lagi terkurung.</div> <bR> <div> Tamatnya AF Sabtu lalu bermakna hubungan peserta dengan dunia luar kembali bertaut. Seksa peserta akhir selama sembilan minggu luput sudah.</div> <bR> <div> Mereka kembali bertemu masyarakat luar dengan suasana yang jauh berbeza. Vince, Khai, Rosma, Adi, Nija, Azizi dan lain-lain bukan lagi peserta.</div> <bR> <div> Mereka kini telah bergelar bintang apabila penonton yang juga `berfantasi' bersua mereka secara bersemuka. Emosi yang dibawa dari tontonan di kaca televisyen terbawa-bawa ke luar. Ini menyebabkan bintang baru ini dikawal ketat kerana bimbang serbuan peminat fanatik.</div> <bR> <div> Buktinya, kehadiran mereka di Astro Family Fair yang diadakan di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC) Ahad lalu menimbulkan suasana huru-hara.</div> <bR> <div> Pihak keselamatan terpaksa menutup pintu kerana bimbang berlaku sesuatu yang tidak diingini kerana ribuan peminat ingin melihat mereka dari dekat.</div> <bR> <div> Agaknya jika waktu itu Siti Nurhaliza, Erra Fazira dan Siti Sarah lalu bersebelahan pun peminat akan lupakan mereka kerana ingin mengejar Vince, Khai dan Rosma.</div> <bR> <div> Begitulah penangan AF, sebuah program realiti televisyen yang mencetuskan fenomena baru pertandingan hiburan. Sekumpulan remaja berbakat telah telah berjaya dibentuk menjadi bintang. Menariknya, perkembangan 12 bakat baru ini turut menjadi tumpuan artis yang telah sedia terkenal seperti Erra Fazira dan Siti Nurhaliza.</div> <bR> <div> Setakat ini Astro telah berjaya melunaskan janji mereka untuk melahirkan bintang dari program AF.</div> <bR> <div> Adi, peserta AF yang tidak berjaya ke peringkat akhir terkejut dengan sambutan yang diberikan oleh peminat semasa muncul dalam segmen Khas Pelajar Akademi Fantasia.</div> <bR> <div> ``Saya tidak sangka peminat begitu menggemari rancangan Akademi Fantasia,'' kata Adi yang akui rutin hidupnya kini berubah kerana program itu.</div> <bR> <div> Utusan Malaysia difahamkan undangan mengadakan persembahan juga melimpah sehingga pihak pengurusan mereka, Astro terpaksa membuat jadual khusus untuk 12 bintang baru ini.</div> <bR> <div> Peserta rancangan itu begitu cepat popular dan mengumpul jutaan peminat. Pihak Astro memperolehi undian sistem pesanan ringkas (SMS) hampir lima juta sepanjang sembilan minggu berlangsung.</div> <bR> <div> Malah, khabarnya krew rancangan itu tidak akan berehat panjang sebaliknya akan terus bekerja keras untuk pengambilan pelajar baru untuk musim kedua.</div> <bR> <div> Kejayaan pelajar Akademi Fantasia boleh dianggap kejayaan sekelip mata. Malah, mereka tentunya tidak menduga akan menjadi begitu berpengaruh.</div> <bR> <div> Sekiranya Astro berjaya mencorakkan mereka dengan cara yang sepatutnya, mungkin kehangatan mereka mampu bertahan lama.</div> <bR> <div> Astro yang tidak mempunyai pengalaman menguruskan artis harus bijak menjalankan tanggungjawab mereka. Memiliki stesen televisyen belum tentu membuahkan kejayaan. Pengalaman stesen TV3 menguruskan peserta Sinaran Pasport Kegemilangan boleh dijadikan panduan.</div> <bR> <div> Namun, kejayaan juga bergantung kepada pembawaan diri bintang ini. Sekiranya tidak dapat membawa diri kerana tersuntik duri glamor mungkin nama yang dibina sekelip mata itu akan lenyap dalam masa sekelip mata juga.</div> <bR> <div> Memperolehi kejayaan dengan mudah boleh membuatkan mereka tidak dapat merasa bagaimana sukarnya menjadi seorang penyanyi.</div> <bR> <div> Setelah berjaya belajar teknik mengawal suara, pernafasan semasa menyanyi, berlakon dan menari di atas pentas, mereka kini harus belajar menyelami alam glamor.</div> <bR> <div> Ada perkara yang tidak boleh diajar dan datang dari dalam diri masing-masing. Dunia glamor yang tidak dilayari dengan sempurna boleh merosakkan mereka.</div> <bR> <div> Banyak pengalaman penyanyi terdahulu yang boleh mereka jadikan iktibar. Diharap kesemua 12 pelajar itu tidak terus mendongak ke langit. Pandang-pandanglah ke bawah.</div> <bR> <div> Dalam masa yang sama, bintang baru yang telah memiliki album bersama ini pasti akan menjadi pujaan. Tapi, sejauh mana mereka bertahan?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Vince is people's choice</b></div> <div> <B>BY JASON CHEAH</b></div> <bR> <div> KUALA LUMPUR: Vincent Chong won the hearts of the nation's music lovers last night when he became the public's choice as champion of the inaugural reality-based music TV series Akademi Fantasia. </div> <bR> <div> The 23-year-old from here sang his way to the hearts of audiences and viewers during the final concert of the series at the Dewan Wawasna, Menara PGRM, Cheras, here last night.  </div> <bR> <div> Close to five million votes were cast via SMS during the nine week series which saw 12 "students" learn the art of becoming a performance artiste in front of the nation. </div> <bR> <div> BEST OF THE LOT: Vince receiving his award from Fernandez at the Dewan Wawasna in Cheras Saturday night.</div> <div> Akademi Fantasia was aired over Astro Ria. A concert was aired live each Saturday, at the end of which one "student" was eliminated and left the academy. Last night's concert was also aired live over Astro Ria. </div> <bR> <div> Chong, known as Vince during the show, garnered more votes than the other four finalists. Second place went to 23-year-old Johorean Mohammad Khairul Nizam Mohammad Wahi also known as Khai, while 27-year-old Ahmad Azizi Mohamed (Azizi) from Pahang came third. </div> <bR> <div> Siti Harnizar Taha, 20, (Nija) and Nurlizawaty Mohd Ismail, 22, (Liza) rounded up the finalists. </div> <bR> <div> "I just wanted to enjoy myself," Chong said when asked how he approached the final show. </div> <bR> <div> "This was my last shot. I just had to do my best. Nevertheless, we are all winners, there are no losers." </div> <bR> <div> Chong won a Suzuki Vitara and RM10,000. Khairul won a home theatre system, a package holiday worth RM10,000 and RM7,000 while Azizi won a package holiday worth RM10,000 and RM3,000. Siti Harnizar and Nurlizawaty won RM1,000 each. </div> <bR> <div> The show was hosted by TV celebrity host Aznil Nawawi and celebrity advisers included the academy headmaster, who is also deputy president of Karyawan, Freddie Fernandez, and entertainment celebrities Khudzia Kahar, Erra Fazira and Ramli MS. </div> <bR> <div> "It is hoped that something like this will bring new hope for our music industry," Fernandez added.  </div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>