Meet Mary Grace Jane Penserga, the latest of a long line of pop princesses from Sabah, the wondrous land beneath the wind that keeps churning out excellent and talented singers for the Malaysian music scene.
Just take a look at Sabah's line-up that includes the likes of Malaysian divas Marsha Milan and Stacy Anam. Include too the brilliant Dabra Sia, Azharina Azhar, the rising star Wani Kayrie, Ayu Damit, Bella Astillah, Adira Suhaimi, Nikky Palikat, and Didi Astillah.
Then comes the new star, Mary Grace Jane Pensega or easily just known as MaryGrace. The 25-year-old rising face of Malaysian music hails from Keningau before growing up in Kota Kinabalu and now residing in Kuala Lumpur.
She had recently won the Malaysian edition of reality show ‘One In A Million’ in Kuala Lumpur, and is the second Sabahan to manage the feat.
She follows in the footsteps of fellow Sabahan Norayu Damit, also known as Ayu from Puatan, who won Season 2 of ‘One in a Million’ in February 2008.
MaryGrace beat 11 other finalists to win RM1 million worth of prizes, including RM500,000 cash, a car, and a recording contract.
Asked what she would do with the cash, she replied that she would bring her mother for Umrah, fulfilling her long-cherished dream and also improve their house.
She won over the judges with her performance of the new single ‘Titik Mula’ and a classic number by the group Freedom titled ‘Persamaan’.
It has been a busy time since bagging the 'One in a Million' title, and said her late father Edgar, is her main aspiration behind her music journey, and also her mom Aisah Sarin, who has supported her so much throughout her career.
"My dad is my hero. And he was a singer too, but he died when I was quite young. It was a big loss for my mom and me. But I want his legacy to go on, and that will be through me. My mom encourages me so much in my music career, and I must make them both proud. I believe my dad is always watching over me from heaven," said MaryGrace.
And her career is also on an upward trend. She worked with world-class musician Belle Sisoski in Kuching in May to film a festive Gawai and Kaamatan music video for beverage giants Pepsi.
"The song was recorded in Kuala Lumpur, and the whole process took four days," said MaryGrace. "I've always wanted to collaborate with a world-class musician like Belle. And it was an incredible experience."
MaryGrace had also performed at insurance provider Etiqa's annual dinner and sang a duet with CSOIAM runner-up Kai Deva.
"I shared the stage with Indonesian singer Andmesh at the Sabah International Convention Centre, Kota Kinabalu, and it was an honour to sing with an international artiste for the first time. I also sang my first single, 'Titik Mula', at the Semporna Regatta Festival."
MaryGrace will now work on the soundtrack for a joint Malaysian-Indonesian drama, which was recorded in KL recently.
"At Anugerah Melodi, I once again sang with Kai Dewa (the runners-up at the One in a Million event), this time it was 'Lagu Untukmu' by Meet Uncle Hussain."
At Indonesian pop legend Datuk Seri Rossa's most recent concert, Mary Grace sang her songs with Kai and another CSOIAM runner-up, Zazzleen Zulkifli.
"I also sang with Indonesia's Ade Govinda at the Asean Summit in KL and performed 'Alamak Raya Lagi' by De Fam at the recent Dapur By McDonald's in Kuching," she said.
MaryGrace's most important aim now is to promote her debut single 'Titik Mula' written and composed by Shazee and Audi Mok, recorded during the last week of CSOIAM.
"It is a personal song which marks the beginning of my singing career. It reflects my experience and journey into showbiz and is about confidence and courage."
MaryGrace is also preparing for some concerts and an album with about 10 songs, including a duet with Ade.
"Some parts of the album have been completed. It will be fully completed very soon and should be released next year," she added. "I have high hopes that the songs will be well-received by Malaysian music fans, and it puts me in the best of places for my career."
She also hopes that in the future she gets the chance to work with her role models and heroines, Marsha Milan Londoh and Stacy Anam, thus far the best singers among the stars from Sabah.
"Besides singing, I really do like writing songs. And maybe one day I can work with some of Sabah's top stars like Marsha and Stacy. I idolise them both, and it will be a great achievement if I get a chance to work with them."
