The seventh season of Akademi Fantasia premiered on 9 March 2009 and continued until 16 May 2009 on the Astro Ria television channel. AC Mizal continued to host the show, while Adlin Aman Ramlie, Edry Hashim and Khatijah Hashim joined the judging panel following the departures of Fauziah Ahmad Daud and Ning Baizura. The promotional catch phrase of this season is "Bring Out Your Self-Transformation"."AF7 Show Information" 14 March 2009
On 10 February 2009, Astro management released the list of professional trainers who would take charge of this season's contestants. Tiara Jacquelina was revealed to be the Principal for this season, marking the first time ever a woman to be given the role as the Principal.
On 16 May 2009, Mohd Hafiz Mohd Suip from Kuching, Sarawak became the winner of the seventh season of Akademi Fantasia, who defeated Khairil Azam Pilus. This season also featured Afiq Hakim Ahmad, who would subsequently become the overall winner of 2015 Anugerah Juara Lagu.
As much as 3.9 million votes were cast throughout this season.
Changes from Season 6 According to the manager of Astro Ria, Khairul Mizan, this season was opened to not only Malaysian citizen, but also to Singaporean citizen. The rationale behind the eligibility of Singaporean citizen to participate in this show was meant to broaden the influence of Astro in Singapore through the popularity of the show which is broadcast through mio TV.Akademi Fantasia Season 7 audition
Apart from that, this season was also eligible to established performers who wished to participate in the show. However, the opportunity would only be given to those who are not embedded with any recording or management contracts.
There were also changes in the line-up of this season's professional trainers. Linda Jasmine, who has been the choreographer of Akademi Fantasia since the first season was being replaced by A. Aris Kadir. Ida Nerina served as the students' Acting & Drama coach, replacing Fauziah Nawi. Lastly, Hashridz Murshim was in charge of the music composition which was previously held by Ramli M.S.
Auditions
Auditions were held in the following cities: Kompleks Sukan Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur - 17 January & 18 January The Zon Regency Hotel, Johor Bahru - 25 & 25 January 1Borneo South Atrium, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah - 30 & 31 January & 1 February Enter K Entertainment, Crown Tower Kuching, Sarawak - 31 January & 1 February Kompleks Sukan Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur - 7 & 8 February
List of songs during auditions
Songs for female No One – Alicia Keys Kalis Rindu - Elyana Dikir Puteri - Noraniza Idris Karma - Cokelat Tari Silat Melayu - Aishah
Songs for male Angan Dan Sedar – Mawi You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban Ketulusan Hati – Anuar Zain Hanya Engkau Yang Mampu – Aizat AF5 Ada – M. Nasir
Contestants were required to be between the ages of 18 and 45, and are Malaysian and Singaporean citizens who are not embedded with recording or management contracts.
Semi-finalists The top 20 finalists were announced in a special press conference held at Park Royal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, on 3 March 2009.http://www.budiey.com/senarai-nama-pelajar-akademi-fantasia-musim-ke-7 Top 20 Revealed! All of them participated the Orientation Week as well as the Musical Camp (MOKM) which involved guidance classes and qualification assessment such as vocal (technique), vocal (performance), dance, acting and et cetera for six consecutive days.
Those who displayed promising performances would be enlisted to Akademi Fantasia. The final selection was revealed in the second episode of Tirai Akademi Fantasia which commenced on 7 & 8 March 2009. Below is the list of semi-finalists who did not make it to Top 14.
Abdul Hamim bin Haji Suleiman, 21, Johor Bahru, Johor Abraham Edwin "AB" Dungot, 26, Ranau, Sabah Cabrine "Cabbie" Blaire Bernard Solibun, 20, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Alpaezah "Faezah" binti Manaf, 20, Keningau, Sabah Kelana bin Ayu, 40, Bintulu, Sarawak Lizda Nuryanti binti Abidin, 27, Tawau, Sabah
Concert summaries
Week 1 - Student's choice Original Airdate: 14 March 2009
The first concert of the season depicted several changes in the show to denote the idea of "transformation" which was related to the theme of this season. The students were introduced in a more charismatic way with the removal of self-tagline. They were also assigned with songs of their choices. Also, the students sang and performed "Menuju Puncak" at the beginning of the concert, unlike past seasons in which students usually performed the theme song at the end of the concert before the elimination process took place.
Student Song Result Adila "Di Bawah Pohon Asmara" by Jaclyn Victor Bottom 3 Aishah "Dan Sebenarnya" by Yuna Safe Akim "Hatiku Kau Luka" by Alleycats Safe Aril "Rahasia Perempuan" by Ari Lasso Safe Claudia "Sempurna" by Andra and The BackBone Safe Hafiz "Lagu Kita" by Aizat Safe Isma "Sepi" by Yuni Shara Safe Obri "Jeritan Batinku" by P. Ramlee Safe Qhaud "Phoenix Bangkit" by M. Nasir Safe Rini "Elegi Sepi" by Azharina Bottom 3 Rubisa "Matahariku" by Agnes Monica Safe Sidi "Terima Kasih Cinta" by Afgan Saved Yazid "Penghujung Rindu" by Jamal Abdillah Safe Zizi "Molek" by Elyana Safe
During concert, Aril, Isma, Adila and Hafiz were commanded for their strong performance. Rini was criticized for choosing a song that did not compliment her voice while Sidi's lack of emotion due to his nervousness did not sit well with the judges. Despite a strong performance, Adila landed in the bottom two with Sidi when the voting line was closed at the end of the concert. However, it was announced that there would be no elimination in this concert.
Week 2 - Medleys Original Airdate: 21 March 2009
The second week began as the students were given the songs they were going to perform for the week. Unlike the previous week, they did not get the chance to sing the song of their own choices. Instead, they were assigned with not one but two songs and were required to perform it as a medley. This marks the first time ever in Akademi Fantasia history whereby the students were given two songs to sing as a medley individually.
Student Songs Result Adila "Merawat Cinta Terpendam" by Liza Hanim "Asyik" by Amelina Eliminated Aishah "Coba" by Faizal Tahir "Gila" by Mila Safe Akim "Satu" by Dewa "Buronan Cinta" by The Lima Safe Aril "Benar Benar" by Adam "Robot" by Adam Safe Claudia "Ku Mahu" by Siti Nurhaliza "Wanita" by Siti Nurhaliza Safe Hafiz "Cinta Ini Membunuhku" by D-Masiv "Toyol" by Aznil Nawawi Safe Isma "Jat Da Da Da" by Dia Fadilla "Hello" by Farah Asyikin Safe Obri "Akan Tiba" by Aliff "Ada Untukmu" by Nubhan Bottom 3 Qhaud "Bila Nak Saksi" by Spider "Lagu Untukmu" by Meet Uncle Hussain Safe Rini "Aku Sindarela" by Amylea "Kiblatku" by Hazami Bottom 3 Rubisa "Dingin" by Ziana Zain "Gagap" by Stacy Safe Sidi "Selamat Ulang Tahun Sayang" by Imran Ajmain "Kukoo" by Ferhad Safe Yazid "Lelaki Ini" by Anuar Zain "Fikirlah" by Aizat Safe Zizi "Sembilu" by Ella "Wonder Woman" by Mulan Jameela Safe
During concert, Claudia was praised for her promising performance. The judges were also impressed by Hafiz for his consistent performance. Akim was lambasted for not improving his vocal techniques while Obri was criticized for being too nervous and unsure on stage. The bottom two was revealed to be Obri and Adila. At the end of the concert, Adila was eliminated for having the lowest votes when the voting session was closed.
Special judge: Dato' Yusni Hamid
Week 3 - 70s & 80s Original Airdate: 28 March 2009
Qhaud was chosen as the student with the best performance on last week's concert. The departure of Adila affected some of the students as they read the will that she had written for them. For this week's concert, the students were assigned with classic songs of the 70's and 80's. The theme song "Menuju Puncak" was also performed as an a capella to support the Earth Hour campaign.
Student Song Result Aishah "Mata" by Noorkumalasari Safe Akim "Anak Gembala" by Sudirman Safe Aril "Andainya Aku Pergi Dulu" by Alleycats Safe Claudia "Lama Tak Jumpa" by Zur Eda Safe Hafiz "Mat Disko" by Sudirman Safe Isma "Rambu Ramba" by Nursheila Amin Safe Obri "Abang Beca" by Broery Marantika Eliminated Qhaud "Pilihlah Aku" by Latif Ibrahim Safe Rini "Seloka Cinta Remaja" by Seha Freedom Eliminated Rubisa "Angan-angan" by Raja Ema Safe Sidi "Hanya Di Radio" by Headwind Safe Yazid "Pawana" by Search Bottom 3 Zizi "Ini Rindu" by Farid Harja Safe
The judges were very impressed with Isma's performance which was considered as very laid-back and enjoyable. Hafiz was also consistent in his performance as he proved his vocal ability to the audience. After the voting session was closed, Rini was later revealed to be in the bottom two with Obri, despite her entertaining performance which generally received positive comments from the judges. However, both of them were eliminated at the end of the concert.
Special judge: Kharil Johari Johari
Week 4 - Tribute to Amy Search & Siti Nurhaliza Original Airdate: 4 April 2009
The fourth week kicked off with the announcement of Isma as the best performer in the previous concert. For this week's concert, the students were assigned to sing songs that are popularized by Amy Search and Siti Nurhaliza. The twist was that the song would be assigned in reverse gender, meaning that female students would have to sing songs by Amy Search while male students would have to sing songs by Siti Nurhaliza.
Student Song Result Aishah "Mentari Di Ufuk Timur" by Amy Search Safe Akim "Destinasi Cinta" by Siti Nurhaliza Safe Aril "Lakaran Kehidupan" by Siti Nurhaliza Safe Claudia "Suralaya Dalam D Major" by Amy Search Safe Hafiz "Cinta Ini" by Siti Nurhaliza Safe Isma "Kerja Gila" by Amy Search Safe Qhaud "Di Taman Teman" by Siti Nurhaliza Safe Rubisa "Tiada Lagi" by Mayang Sari Eliminated Sidi "Ku Milikmu" by Siti Nurhaliza Bottom 3 Yazid "Aku Cinta Padamu" by Siti Nurhaliza Safe Zizi "Aku Dah Bosan" by Amy Search Eliminated All (Bonus) "Isabella" by Amy Search <br/ > "Jerat Percintaan" by Siti Nurhaliza N/A
During concert, most students received universal praise, notably Claudia, Akim, Isma and Hafiz. Qhaud had to perform his song twice due to the technical problem and despite the chance, he forgot his lyrics. This concert also witnessed the first time ever in history of AF whereby two professional trainers, Fatimah Abu Bakar and Siti Hajar Ismail, stepped forward to rebut the comments made by the juries.
The bottom two was later revealed to be Zizi and Rubisa. However, they both were sent packing in this concert since it was another double-elimination concert. This also marks the history of Akademi Fantasia whereby double elimination took place consecutively.
Special judges: Amy Search & Siti Nurhaliza
Week 5 - Duet with past contestants of AF Original Airdate: 11 April 2009
The remaining students reviewed their previous concert with their trainers and Akim was revealed to be the best performer in last week's concert. Then, they were given their songs for this week which required them to sing duet songs. Surprisingly, the students were given the chance to perform the duet songs with past contestants of Akademi Fantasia.
Student Song Duet Partner Result Bonus song "Lucky" by Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat All students N/A Aishah "Dua Hati Jadi Satu" by Gita Gutawa & Dafi Aliff Aziz Safe Akim "Jika Kau Tiada" by Yusry & Erra Fazira Farah (AF2) Safe Aril "Aku Dan Dirimu" by Ari Lasso & Bunga Citra Lestari Marsha (AF3) Bottom 3 Claudia "Kau Muzik Di Hatiku" by Jaclyn Victor & Vince Vince (AF1) Safe Hafiz "Terlanjur Cinta" by Rossa & Pasha Ungu Mila (AF5) Safe Isma "Kau Mawarku" by Siti Nurhaliza & 2 By 2 Zul (2 By 2) Safe Qhaud "Di Bius Cinta" by Yusry & Melly Goeslow Heliza (AF5) Bottom 3 Sidi "Cinta Yang Sempurna" by 6ixth Sense & Tirta ft. Noe Letto Zahid (AF2) Eliminated Yazid "Terharu" by Jamal Abdillah & Mawi Yazer (AF3) Safe