Thirteen-year-old is champion in online talent reality show

A PRECOCIOUS 13-year-old and the youngest contestant emerged champion in hurr.tv’s online talent reality show Bakat Ohsem Malaysia (BOM) held at the Damansara Performing Arts Centre (Dpac) in Petaling Jaya.

Aqeesh Aleeya beat seven other contestants in the finale to bring home the grand prize of RM100,000, a Proton Saga 1.3(A) and a trophy.

Aqeesh performed Birds Set Free in the first set, followed by Langit Cinta, which wowed the judges and encouraged the public to vote for her.

Freestyle and urban street dance group Nasty Rock Crew from Selangor danced their way to second place, winning the cash prize of RM20,000 and a trophy. The group comprised Muhammad Amirul Hakim Jeffriden, 19, Muhamad Alfi Rahim Hambali, 21, Muhammad Firdaus Nor Afandi, 15, Muhammad Shazmir Norazmi ,17, and Muhammad Aniq Syafiq Jemain, 19.

The third prize of RM8,000 and a trophy went to 18-year-old singer Yazmin Aziz from Kuala Lumpur who performed Ulek Mayang in her first set, followed by Only Love Can Hurt Like This.

The search for BOM took place over two months where hurr.tv received hundreds of video entries from aspiring performers across Malaysia showcasing their talents in singing, dancing, performing magic as well as creative performances.

Eight of the video entries with the highest scores as voted by the public and judges were eligible to perform in the grand finale.

The top eight finalists at the grand finale were Iskandar Zambri (Beatbox), Aqeesh Aleeya (Vocals), Aizat Ohsman (Cardistry), Adib Yusof (Vocals– Soprano), Yazmin Aziz (Vocals), Mohd Nuriqram (Dance), Mathura Bashinii (Vocals – Rap), and Nasty Rock Crew (Dance).

Emcee of the night was radio personality Haniff Hamzah while the judges comprised celebrities Aizat Amdan and Sherry Al Hadad, and guest judge, actor-comedian and radio announcer Nabil Ahmad.

Performers were judged namely on creativity, talent, entertainment value and stage presentation that accumulated to 50% of their final scores.

The scores were derived from public votes between Dec 20 and 23 up to the final live show via the hurr.tv website www.hurr.tv

The grand finale of BOM is available for viewing on www.hurr.tv/BOM.