Akademi Fantasia 3: The final four
Joe Lee
Aug 6:
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It’s been a fantastic and surreal ride for the kids of Akademi Fantasia. But one thing’s real though – as four finalists Mawi, Marsha, Felix and Amylea battle it out in the final concert tonight, only one student will leave that big house a champ, pens JOE LEE.
SO we’ve reached the finale of the third instalment of ‘Akademi Fantasia’. For the first time, it hardly feels like it’s the culmination of a season of the most popular local reality TV talent search show.
We could go for a more positive note, like how Season One champion Vincent Chong Yin Cern put it, right after he was crowned the champion three years ago – “Tiada Pengalah! (there’s no loser)!”
After all, the final four in AF3 have already received nods not only from the voting public, but also from the harshest of critics who have admitted that they are the most well-rounded performers of the lot this time around.
That’s what’s supposed to matter, right?
After all, if the results were more controversial, many would gripe of how our audiences are still too immature, that they could not select the really deserving.
At the same time, the result is also a testament to music industry professionals of market realities.
What the consumers go for is not necessarily what the ‘experts’ go for.
After all, two of the finalists – Marsha and Mawi – were initially eliminated at the Konsert Prelud.
For them to be in the final four speaks volumes of the public support, which perhaps even the judging committee could not have imagined.
Still – that’s what Akademi Fantasia III is all about.
It’s all one big contradiction to begin with. Reality TV itself is an oxymoron, after all.
No matter what, the important thing is, like the two previous finals, it’s quite obvious how it’s going to turn out.
However, this season has been additionally dulled by its overwhelming predictability.
So we enter the final with mixed feelings.
Last week’s final double elimination which decided the final four, somehow reflects the real sentiment.
The only phenomenon this time seems to be purely Mawi, for the difference he has brought to the competition.
To many, he appears a wholesome, religious, ‘kampung’ boy who’s true to himself.
Think the male equivalent of Siti Nurhaliza if you were to attempt to dissect the mass public infatuation with him.
Talent wise? Giving credit where it’s due, Mawi has delivered the goods, shining with his performance of Dewa’s Pupus which was definitely the highlight of a string of hits and misses.
Strange, considering that it’s a genre removed from that championed by him and his fans (nasyid that is). Some critics have branded him as overrated though.
Well, only time will confirm the validity of that opinion.
There’s no question that Mawi is probably Astro’s blue-eyed boy for his bankability in generating revenue through his mass AFUNDI support and merchandising.
But he’s also one of the main factors why Akademi Fantasia III appears to have failed to measure up to its predecessors.
After all, the outrageous lead he had – which at one point stretched to over 50 per cent of the votes, the highest ever in Akademi Fantasia history – hardly leaves room for the others to put up a decent fight.
The closest rival, and also his bosom buddy, Felix – while having quite a strong following himself – is hardly any real competition and seems to have resigned himself to finshing second.
While possessing a #BAIK#y and alluring personality despite his ‘blurness’, Felix’s performances have been rather erratic. And it’s impossible to register his best effort. His worst attempt, however, is easy to recall – it’s his horrendous rendition of Smooth, which was anything but.
Then there’s Amylea, who seems to have secured the third spot. The most consistent and original performer managed to take her assigned tunes to a different level, making each cover of a song her own.
Forget the whining, #BAIK#ing, crying, wailing and complaining. Amylea is one helluva performer. But sadly, she’s most unlikely to finish in the top two, losing out in the popularity stakes.
Too bad, as who else but Amylea can take a crappy teeny-bopper tune like Hak Milik Kekal and make it memorable?
Still, Amylea can hold her head high like Marsha, as the two have done well to maintain their standings to this point.
Marsha, who couldn’t even muster a voice in the pre-elimination Konsert Prelude due to a throat infection, has proven that she lacks nothing in the vocals department.
In the weeks that followed, she put up impressive shows, especially with her attempt at Jim Brickman’s Destiny, with nothing but self-accompaniment on the piano.
But with the end of AFUNDI voting services in Brunei, many believe that Marsha’s chances have been greatly reduced as the rich Sultanate where she has a massive following are now mere spectators.
Whatever happens tonight, there’s still a silver lining we can all look forward to.
For the fans, they get to decide who wins. As for the critics, they must be relieved that it’s finally over.
And irrespective of who wins, the real test is just beginning for all the contestants – the race to carve out a solid career in the fickle entertainment business.
http://www.mmail.com.my/Current_News/MM/Saturday/Entertainment/20050806105843/Article/index_html
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