Akademi Fantasia
Encyclopedia
Akademi Fantasia is Malaysia's first reality television
show in which a number of contestants called students compete for the winning title and a chance to start their career in the entertainment industry. The first season premiered in June 3, 2003 and was one of Astro Ria
's highest rated shows. The theme song entitled "Menuju Puncak" was performed by Juwita Suwito, who is the sister of the composer, Aubrey Suwito
.
The format of the show is taken from "La Academia
", which originated from Mexico
. Malaysia is the first country in Southeast Asia
to have its own version of the show. Subsequently, it has also been followed by Indonesia
and Thailand
, which garners positive response in comparison to the Idol
series.
The show made its own history in Season 5 when Norsyarmilla Jirin was crowned as the first female winner, breaking the streak of male winners for the first four seasons. The record was later continued when Stracie Angie Anam
was declared as the winner of Season 6. On January 13, 2011, it was announced that the ninth season will be the last season of Akademi Fantasia.
and Season 4
, a prelude concert was conducted in order to determine the ultimate students. Once the ultimate students are chosen, they will stay in a house called Akademi, practising songs, acting and dancing lesson, and other activities that are related with performing arts for a period of 10 weeks. The classes are held by professional trainers, called teachers, who have an established career in the entertainment industry. Diari Akademi Fantasia, which is aired on weekdays, showcases the students' activities in the academy. The academy is led by a principal, which varies every year. However, in Season 6, the academy is led by Ramli M.S, who is the academy principal of Season 2.
The judging system totally depends on audiences' SMS votes and Astro decoder votes (Astro users may need to connect their decoders to the phone line to vote). The student with the lowest vote will be eliminated at the end of the weekly concert, though in rare cases a double elimination, a triple elimination or no elimination was given by consensus of the production panel.
Nevertheless, there are cases where eliminated students are recruited into the competition through a voting line called 'AFMASUK'. In this case, audiences are given a chance to vote for all the eliminated students within a short period of time. The student who receives the highest vote will be recruited back into the competition.
The eight season saw a new change to the format of Akademi Fantasia. Instead of eliminating a student at the end of each concert, the elimination process is conducted in a new 30-minute segment called Debaran Akademi Fantasia, one day after the concert.
In January 13, 2011, it was announced that the ninth season will be the last season of Akademi Fantasia. In this season, a new format is implemented where students who do not show any improvement will be expelled by the management in a twist known as Operasi Gugur in order to give opportunity for new students to join the academy. The announcement was made at the end of the second concert in Season 9. In addition, the elimination process returns to its original format where each student is eliminated at the end of concert every week.
, who hosted the show for the first five seasons, announced his retirement as the host for Akademi Fantasia at the end of Season 5 due to scheduling conflicts. He was replaced by AC Mizal in Season 6 and seventh season. In Season 8, Sarimah Ibrahim
and Jimmy Shanley were selected as the new hosts replacing AC Mizal. In season eight, Aznil Haji Nawawi returned to Akademi Fantasia as one of the judges. However, in the ninth season, he is appointed as the host, replacing Jimmy Shanley and Sarimah Ibrahim.
As of the ninth season, the current judges are Fauziah Ahmad Daud and Hattan. Previous judges include Kudsia Kahar, Fauziah Latiff
, Ning Baizura
, Khatijah Ibrahim, and also Edrie Hashim. Usually, an additional guest judge will be featured in every concert.
and Astro decoder without professional jury. This judging system is heavily criticized because of allegations that most audience only vote for their favourite contestants, as well as judging the contestants based on their looks rather than their talents.
When the production team announced that Season 6 of Akademi Fantasia would be eligible for those aged from 18 to 45 years old, the show continued to be criticized for choosing contestants whom were rejected from other reality TV shows. Furthermore, the selection of two female contestants in Season 6, Hairina Abdul Halim, a grandmother of two grandchildren, as well as Siti Norsaida Tarudin, the eldest sister of Siti Nurhaliza
were said to be the most important element of the season which was aimed to draw audience's attention and further guarantee vast publicity to raise the show's rating.
has been closely associated with the branding of the show. Nevertheless, the eight installment of the show witnessed the departure of Hotlink as the major sponsorship after seven consecutive years of sponsoring the show. The sponsorship was taken over by Cerebos
with its branding of Brands, Innershine and the Generasi Hebat campaign.
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
show in which a number of contestants called students compete for the winning title and a chance to start their career in the entertainment industry. The first season premiered in June 3, 2003 and was one of Astro Ria
Astro Ria
Astro Ria is a Malaysian 24 hour television network broadcast on the Astro satellite television service. It was one of the first 22 channels to commence broadcast on Astro in 1996.Programs on the network include Malay dramas, films and reality shows....
's highest rated shows. The theme song entitled "Menuju Puncak" was performed by Juwita Suwito, who is the sister of the composer, Aubrey Suwito
Aubrey Suwito
Aubrey Suwito is a Malaysian music composer and producer. Aubrey Suwito had written songs for many artists, most notably Gemilang for Jaclyn Victor which won multiple awards including the Asian Music Festival and Anugerah Juara Lagu. He was the musical director on Malaysian Idol...
.
The format of the show is taken from "La Academia
La Academia
La Academia is a Mexican reality musical talent show shown on TV Azteca, premiering in June 2002 and currently in its ninth installment...
", which originated from Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Malaysia is the first country in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
to have its own version of the show. Subsequently, it has also been followed by Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
and Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, which garners positive response in comparison to the Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
series.
The show made its own history in Season 5 when Norsyarmilla Jirin was crowned as the first female winner, breaking the streak of male winners for the first four seasons. The record was later continued when Stracie Angie Anam
Stacy (Singer)
Stracie Angie Anam , is a Malaysian singer, who rose to fame after winning the sixth season of Akademi Fantasia, receiving 43 percent of over 3.8 million votes. Her debut album, Aku Stacy, was released on March 9, 2009.-Biography:...
was declared as the winner of Season 6. On January 13, 2011, it was announced that the ninth season will be the last season of Akademi Fantasia.
Show format
Each season of Akademi Fantasia has 10 concerts including the finale, and starts with 12-16 contestants who are called students. However, in Season 3Akademi Fantasia, Season 3
Akademi Fantasia, Season 3 which premiered on June 4, 2005 is the third season of Akademi Fantasia to be aired in Astro Ria. As much as 20 contestants were selected before the final 12 contestants were chosen in the prelude concert....
and Season 4
Akademi Fantasia, Season 4
Akademi Fantasia, Season 4 is the fourth season of Akademi Fantasia to be aired in Astro Ria which premiered on June 3, 2006. As much as 20 short-listed contestants were revealed in Tirai Akademi Fantasia, which was aired on May 20, 2006...
, a prelude concert was conducted in order to determine the ultimate students. Once the ultimate students are chosen, they will stay in a house called Akademi, practising songs, acting and dancing lesson, and other activities that are related with performing arts for a period of 10 weeks. The classes are held by professional trainers, called teachers, who have an established career in the entertainment industry. Diari Akademi Fantasia, which is aired on weekdays, showcases the students' activities in the academy. The academy is led by a principal, which varies every year. However, in Season 6, the academy is led by Ramli M.S, who is the academy principal of Season 2.
The judging system totally depends on audiences' SMS votes and Astro decoder votes (Astro users may need to connect their decoders to the phone line to vote). The student with the lowest vote will be eliminated at the end of the weekly concert, though in rare cases a double elimination, a triple elimination or no elimination was given by consensus of the production panel.
Nevertheless, there are cases where eliminated students are recruited into the competition through a voting line called 'AFMASUK'. In this case, audiences are given a chance to vote for all the eliminated students within a short period of time. The student who receives the highest vote will be recruited back into the competition.
The eight season saw a new change to the format of Akademi Fantasia. Instead of eliminating a student at the end of each concert, the elimination process is conducted in a new 30-minute segment called Debaran Akademi Fantasia, one day after the concert.
In January 13, 2011, it was announced that the ninth season will be the last season of Akademi Fantasia. In this season, a new format is implemented where students who do not show any improvement will be expelled by the management in a twist known as Operasi Gugur in order to give opportunity for new students to join the academy. The announcement was made at the end of the second concert in Season 9. In addition, the elimination process returns to its original format where each student is eliminated at the end of concert every week.
Hosts & Judges
Aznil Haji NawawiAznil Nawawi
Aznil bin Haji Nawawi or better known as Aznil Nawawi, Aznil Haji Nawawi, Aznil or Pak Nil, is a TV host in Malaysia. He is said to be the man who revolutionized hosting on Malaysian TV; turning it from rigid and monotonous to witty, fun and lively.He won the Best Talk Show Award at the Asian...
, who hosted the show for the first five seasons, announced his retirement as the host for Akademi Fantasia at the end of Season 5 due to scheduling conflicts. He was replaced by AC Mizal in Season 6 and seventh season. In Season 8, Sarimah Ibrahim
Sarimah Ibrahim
Sarimah binti Ibrahim is a Malaysian television host, actress and singer.-Background:She is of Irish-Malay descent and was born in Dublin, Ireland. Her highest academic qualification is the O Levels and A Levels. She received her early education in Malaysia, Ireland, Abu Dhabi and at the Emirates...
and Jimmy Shanley were selected as the new hosts replacing AC Mizal. In season eight, Aznil Haji Nawawi returned to Akademi Fantasia as one of the judges. However, in the ninth season, he is appointed as the host, replacing Jimmy Shanley and Sarimah Ibrahim.
As of the ninth season, the current judges are Fauziah Ahmad Daud and Hattan. Previous judges include Kudsia Kahar, Fauziah Latiff
Fauziah Latiff
Siti Fauziah Sheikh Abdul Latiff is a Malaysian singer and actress. Latiff first appeared to the world performing at a charity concert at Stadium Merdeka in 1987. Talent scouts from Happy Records spotted her and offered her her first recording contract...
, Ning Baizura
Ning Baizura
Ning Baizura binti Sheikh Hamzah , popularly known as Ning, is a Malaysian pop and R&B singer, who records and sings in languages, including Bahasa Malaysia, English, Japanese, Italian, French, Mandarin and Cantonese...
, Khatijah Ibrahim, and also Edrie Hashim. Usually, an additional guest judge will be featured in every concert.
Trek Selebriti
Akademi Fantasia is also very connected with a programme called Trek Selebriti. During AF season, students who are eliminated in every concert will be featured in this programme which showcases their life journey before and after being selected as an AF students. Following the promotion to host the weekly concerts of Akademi Fantasia, Jimmy Shanley, who has been hosting Trek Selebriti since it first aired, is now being replaced with Khairil Azam Pilus, who was a runner-up of the seventh season of the Akademi Fantasia.Criticism
The main controversy during Akademi Fantasia season is about the judging system which is solely based on the audience through SMSShort message service
Short Message Service is a text messaging service component of phone, web, or mobile communication systems, using standardized communications protocols that allow the exchange of short text messages between fixed line or mobile phone devices...
and Astro decoder without professional jury. This judging system is heavily criticized because of allegations that most audience only vote for their favourite contestants, as well as judging the contestants based on their looks rather than their talents.
When the production team announced that Season 6 of Akademi Fantasia would be eligible for those aged from 18 to 45 years old, the show continued to be criticized for choosing contestants whom were rejected from other reality TV shows. Furthermore, the selection of two female contestants in Season 6, Hairina Abdul Halim, a grandmother of two grandchildren, as well as Siti Norsaida Tarudin, the eldest sister of Siti Nurhaliza
Siti Nurhaliza
Dato', or occasionally Datin Seri, Siti Nurhaliza binti Tarudin DIMP, JSM, SAP, PMP, AAP is a Malaysian singer, songwriter, record producer, television presenter and businesswoman. To date, she has garnered more than 200 local awards as well as international awards...
were said to be the most important element of the season which was aimed to draw audience's attention and further guarantee vast publicity to raise the show's rating.
Sponsorship
Since the introduction of the Akademi Fantasia, HotlinkMaxis Communications
Maxis Communications Berhad is a Malaysian cellular operator company headquartered at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was started in the year 1993. It uses the dialing pref ix identifier of "012" , "017" and “0142”. Their mobile services are provided over the 900 & 1800 MHz GSM band and as July 2005,...
has been closely associated with the branding of the show. Nevertheless, the eight installment of the show witnessed the departure of Hotlink as the major sponsorship after seven consecutive years of sponsoring the show. The sponsorship was taken over by Cerebos
Cerebos
Cerebos is an English brand of salt and, more recently, other flavourings and nutritional supplements. Its promise was "See How It Runs", describing how fine the salt was...
with its branding of Brands, Innershine and the Generasi Hebat campaign.
Seasons
| Season | Winner | Runner-up | Third | Finalist(s) | Other contestants in order of elimination | Number of contestants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AF 1 | Vincent Chong Ying-Cern Vince Chong Vincent Chong Ying-Cern , internationally known by his stage name Vince , is the first reality TV star to issue from Malaysian Akademi Fantasia. Chong is popular as a R&B-inclined singer-songwriter... |
Mohammad Khairul Nizam Mohammad Wahi | Ahmad Azizi Mohamed | Siti Harnizah Tahar & Nurlizawaty Mohd Ismail | Azariah Suaymi, Adi Fashla Jurami, Suriati Abu Bakar, Rueben Thevandran a/l Ramanath, Rosmayati Sidik, Nurul Hana Che Mahazan, Sahri Mohd Sarip | 12 |
| AF 2 | Ahmad Zahid Baharuddin | Norlinda Nanuwil | Mohd Aizam Mat Saman | Farah Diana Anuar, Yusrizan Usop & Wan Mohammad Khair Wan Azami Kaer Azami Wan Mohammad Khair bin Wan Azami Hamzah , popularly known as Kaer Azami, is a Malaysian singer who rose to prominence by coming sixth in the second season of a popular television talent show Akademi Fantasia... |
Edlin Abdul Rahim, Mohd Fitri Zainal Abidin, Anding Indrawani Zaini, Zarina Zainoordin, Nurullah Abd Hamid, Asma Ghani | 12 |
| AF 3 | Asmawi Ani Mawi Asmawi Atan, better known as Mawi, is a Malaysian singer and winner of the Third Season of Malaysia's popular reality show, Akademi Fantasia... |
Felix Agus | Amylea Azizan | Marsha Milan Londoh Marsha Milan Londoh Marsha Milan Londoh is a Malaysian singer and actress. Marsha gained fame for becoming contestants in a Malaysian reality show contest Akademi Fantasia, Season 3 in which she won the fourth place. After Akademi Fantasia, Marsha ventured into acting fields by acting several minor television and... |
Elliza Abdul Razak, Fuad Razlan Abd Azri, Nor Farah Idayu Yaakob, Syaiful Reza Mohamed, Amylia Mohd Azlan, Nik Mohd Aidil Nik Zamri, Norashikin Abdul Rahman, Asiah Tunakma Abdullah, Mohd Yazer Yusof, Mohamed Zulkefli Mohd Idir | 14 |
| AF 4 | Mohammad Faizal Ramly | Lotter P.Edwin Edin | Nur Farhan Azizan | Hazwan Haziq Rosebi & Velvet Lawrence Aduk | Nordawati Daud, Karen Tan Lee Suan, Richael L. Gimbang, Nur Azilah Seeron, Nor Salima Habibi, Syamsul Hirdy Muhid, Amirul Azwan Mohd. Ghazali | 12 |
| AF 5 | Norsyarmilla Jirin | Ebi Kornelis | Muhammad Nur Aswad Jafar | Nur Heliza Helmi & Candra Clement | Wan Nurul Zhana Wan Mohd Hanizan, Adyana Khalid, Mohd Shafiq Mohd Ramadzan, Nurul Fatin Yahya, Mohd. Farha Jasmen, Nonny Nadirah Zainuddin, Aryanna Najwa Ahmad, Hasfarizal Ayub, Muhammad Aizat Amdan, Gadaffi Ismail Sabri, Mohd Shawal Ruslan | 16 |
| AF 6 | Stracie Angie Anam Stacy (Singer) Stracie Angie Anam , is a Malaysian singer, who rose to fame after winning the sixth season of Akademi Fantasia, receiving 43 percent of over 3.8 million votes. Her debut album, Aku Stacy, was released on March 9, 2009.-Biography:... |
Mohd Idris Mohd Zaizizi | Ahmad Nubhan Ahamad | Khairul Nizam Baharom & Nadia Haswani Hasnan | Marliyana Omar Walid, Ika Nabila Abdul Rahim, Lutfyah Sheikh Omar, Muhammad Shauqi Naaim Salmi, Muhammad Faisal Abdullah, Siti Norsaida Tarudin, Hairina Abdul Halim, Mohamad Alif Mohd Razali, Stanley Maringai David Impi | 14 |
| AF 7 | Mohd Hafiz Mohd Suip Hafiz AF7 Mohd Hafiz Bin Mohd Suip , is a Malaysian singer, who rose to fame after winning the seventh season of Akademi Fantasia, receiving 46 percent of over 4.2 million votes. His debut album, Masih Jelas, was released on July 14, 2009.... |
Khairil Azam Pilus | Afiq Hakim Ahmad | Mohd Yazid Ibrahim & Ismaliza Ismail | Nas Adila Mohd Dan, Ahmad Sobri Hasmuni, Zuzafrini Zulkifli, Rubisa Tiasin, Nur Fazelah @ Zizie Mad Tahil, Mohd Rashidi Mohamad Isa, Mohd Qhauhd Abdul Rashid, Claudia Fay Geres, Siti Aishah Bujang | 14 |
| AF 8 | Ahmad Shahir Zawawi Shahir (singer) Shahir AF8, or Ahmad Shahir Zawawi, , is a Malaysian singer, who rose to fame after winning the eighth season of Akademi Fantasia.... |
Siti Adira Suhaimi Adira Siti Adira Suhaimi , known widely by her stage name Adira, is a Malaysian singer. She is the runner-up of the eighth season of Astro's television reality program, Akademi Fantasia.-Early life:... |
Muhd Shahril Firdaus Eli | Muhd Firdaus Maulana Mohamed & Emirza Azwan Zulazrin Chew | Muhammed Shahril Mohd Saleh Hussein, Erma Suhaimi, Dayang Nor Anum Arjuna Aharun, Muhammad Alif Kadim, Nadia Emilia Roselan, Zafarina Jamhari, Nadiawati Ainul Basir | 12 |
| AF 9 Akademi Fantasia (season 9) Akademi Fantasia, Season 9 is the ninth as well as the final season of Akademi Fantasia to be aired in Astro Ria which premiered on April 2, 2011. Aznil Haji Nawawi is appointed as the host of this season, after being a permanent judge in Season 8... |
Hazama Ahmad Azmi | Lenaber Hadir | Nur Syafinaz Jebat | Mohamad Azri Abdullah | Zulaika Zahari, Nur Atiqah Shariffudin, Roshammizah Rosli, Nur Suhada Jebat, Mohamad Amirullah Jahari, Fahrur Raqib Abdul Majid, Ahmad Afif Tirmizie, Nur Khaidir Muhid, Queennera Francine Francis Kitingon, Hairul Najmuddin Abu Samah |
14 |
International versions
- IndonesiaIndonesiaIndonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
: Akademi Fantasi IndosiarAkademi Fantasi IndosiarAkademi Fantasi Indosiar was Indonesia's second reality television after Popstars Indonesia show in which a number of contestants called students competed for the winning title and a chance to start their career in the entertainment industry.The first season premiered in the end of November 2003...
- has finished 5 seasons. The show will return for the sixth installment after 4 years of hiatus. Season 1 was aired in December 2003, on IndosiarIndosiarIndosiar is a publicly owned national television station in Indonesia, and has been operating from West Jakarta since 1994. It was listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange in 2004. Citibank Singapore has an 8.5 percent shareholding...
. In 2011, the show will be continued on MNCTVMNCTVMNCTV is an Indonesian private television channel which headquarter's based in East Jakarta. TPI was established by Tutut Soeharto . It began broadcasting on the 23rd of January 1991...
with a new name, Viva AFISTAR. - MexicoMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
: La AcademiaLa AcademiaLa Academia is a Mexican reality musical talent show shown on TV Azteca, premiering in June 2002 and currently in its ninth installment...
- hosted by Rafael Araneda. The ninth season is currently on air. - ThailandThailandThailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
: Academy FantasiaAcademy FantasiaAcademy Fantasia is a reality show held in Thailand. It is a singing contest, judged through popular votes.-Overview:...
- has finished airing its seventh season in 2010, the eighth season will begin in June 2011. - United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
: La academia USALa Academia USALa Academia USA is the first musical reality show with only Hispanic contestants launched by Azteca America in October 2005. The auditions were done nation-wide and a total of 30 people were chosen to go to Mexico where they would have to spend a week working hard and showing all of what they had...
- The first season was aired on November 20, 2005.