Nur Ernie Shahirah binti Zakri (born 23 June 1992) is a Malaysian singer, an actress and a vocal teacher. She rose to fame after winning the national singing competition Bintang RTM in 2009. She won the Best Vocals award at the Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL 32) in 2018 alongside her duet partner, Syamel Fodzly. She spent two years teaching music at the Bentley Music Academy in Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.
Early life Ernie was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Rafiaah Mohamed and Zakri Ahmad, a drummer. Through her mother, she is the niece to singers Ziana Zain and Anuar Zain.
She attended SMK (P) Methodist, Kuala Lumpur before earning her degree in Music from Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam. She also holds a master's degree in Music from University of Malaya.
Vocal profile
Voice type: lyrical soprano Full vocal range: D3 - C6 - F6 - C♯7 Supported range: G3 - G5 - C#6 Consistent supported range: G3 - F5 - C6
Career
At 17, Ernie joined the search for Bintang RTM 2009 and eventually became the youngest winner of the national competition. During the finale, she performed two songs; "Cahaya" and "Kau Yang Teristimewa". In 2011, she released her debut album Sinaran under FMC Music. She released two singles from the album, "Mahu Ingin Bercinta" and "Rindu Bukan Teman". Despite the effort, she failed to gained attention from local music lovers.
In 2017, Ernie alongside her duet partner Syamel Fodzly competed in a reality TV singing competition, Duo Star. The duo bested other contestants with their rendition of Dato' Sri Siti Nurhaliza's "Balqis" and Dato' Jamal Abdillah's "Kau Lupa Pada Janji". Upon winning the competition, Zakri and Syamel released their first duet single, "Aku Cinta". Their popularity, through Duo Star proved to be the breakthrough for Zakri after being in the industry since 2009. In 2018, "Aku Cinta" advanced into the finals of Anugerah Juara Lagu and the duo were awarded with Best Vocals. Later in 2018, she released her single, "Ku Bersuara".
Following the success of their partnership, the duo released their second duet single, "Takkan Terlerai" in April 2019. She also was chosen to be the voice of Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih in animated film, Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal. Zakri ventured into acting with her debut in television series, Suri Katriana which was aired on Astro Prima. In November 2019, her single "Ku Bersuara" was selected to be the finalists at the 34th Anugerah Juara Lagu. In 2020 her song entitled "Gundah" make the way once again to compete in the final for Anugerah Juara Lagu 35.On 14 March 2021, due to pandemic COVID-19, Anugerah Juara Lagu 35 was held without audiences. She managed to grab The Best Vocal award for AJL 35, making it as her second winning for Best Vocal award after the previous 32nd edition. She was called Queen of Vocal Malaysia and Ariana Grande Malaysia
Personal life Ernie married fellow singer Syameel Aqmal Mohd Fodzly on 22 March 2021 at Puncak Alam Mosque, Selangor. The couple was blessed with a daughter named Nur Khawla Soleha who was born on 22 February 2022.
Discography
Studio albums Sinaran (2011) Aura (2023)
Singles As lead artist Year Title Album Notes2011 "Mahu Ingin Bercinta"Sinaran "Rindu Bukan Teman" 2012 "Khalimah Janji" rowspan="6"2015 "Takkan Pudar" "Ini Yang Ku Mahu" 2016 "Jangan Marah" 2018 "Misteri" "Ku Bersuara"2019 "Buai Laju-Laju" Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal Original soundtrack “Anak Kecil Main Api” Teater Pawana Isabella Show track “Phoenix Bangkit Dari Abu” Teater Pawana Isabella Show track 2020 "Gundah" rowspan="11"Co-written by herself and Sharon Paul "Boneka"2021 "Sinar Mata Hati" Suri Katriana theme song2022 "Korban" Fully written by herself "Astana" 2023"Suasana Hari Raya""Jemput Raya""Sirna"Sumpahan Jerunei theme song"The Best"2024"HAHAHAHAHari Raya"2025"Nostalgia"
As duet Year Title Duet with Album Notes 2017 "Aku Cinta" Syamel FodzlyNon-album single Winner of Best Vocals at the 32nd Anugerah Juara Lagu 2019 "Takkan Terlerai" "Seru Hari Lebaran" Released in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration2021 "Goodbye Hello" Wedding song "Berakhirlah Pencarianku" Hafiz Suip 2022 "Hal Hebat" Govinda2023"Ayuh"Malique, Kmy Kmo, Aman RAPolis Evo 3 theme song"Sampai Tua"Syamel Fodzly2024"LUV"Sabronzo
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2019 Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal Bawang Merah & Bawang Putih Voice role
Television series Year Title Role TV channel Notes 2019 Suri Katriana Suri Astro Prima First acting venture2021Kalau Dah BerbiniSitiAstro Warna2024Luka Cinta HerselfSCTVFirst debut in Indonesia, special appearance
Television shows Year Title Notes Channel 2009 Bintang RTM Champion TV2 2016 Duo Star Champion (with Syamel) Astro Ria 2018 Big Stage Vocal trainer Astro Ria2019 Mentor Milenia Mentor TV3 J.K.K (Season 5) Mira, special appearance in Episode 7: "Kampung Contoh" TV32020 Ceria Megastar (Season 2) JudgeAstro Ceria2021Shuk Nak Tanya 2Guest ArtistAwesome TVHavoc Nak RayaGuest ArtistTV32022Sepahtu Reunion LiveEpisode: "Tolong Jagakan Dia"Astro Warna2023Konsert Minggu IniEpisode: "Syamel dan Ernie"TV2TVS LIVEEpisode: "Ernie Zakri dan Huza Tahir"TVS
Awards and nominations Year Award CategoryNominated work Result 2018 32nd Anugerah Juara Lagu Best Vocals "Aku Cinta" (with Syamel) 31st Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian Favourite Collaboration/ Duo/ Group Herself (with Syamel) 202034th Anugerah Juara Lagu - "Ku Bersuara"FinalistAnugerah MeleTOP ERA MeleTOP ERA Singer Herself (for "Ku Bersuara")33rd Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita HarianPopular Female SingerHerself202135th Anugerah Juara LaguBest Vocals"Gundah"34th Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita HarianPopular Female SingerHerself202236th Anugerah Juara Lagu -"Boneka" (replaced by Syamel)Anugerah MeleTOP ERAMeleTOP ERA SingerHerself (for "Gundah" and "Boneka"MeleTOP VideoMV "Boneka"23rd Anugerah Industri MuzikBest Vocal Performance in a Song (Female)"Sinar Mata Hati"Best Pop Song"Goodbye Hello" (with Syamel)Best Song (Song of the Year)"Goodbye Hello" (with Syamel)Best Duo/Collaboration Vocal Performance in a Song"Goodbye Hello" (with Syamel)"Berakhirlah Pencarianku (with Hafiz Suip)202337th Anugerah Juara Lagu -"Korban"35th Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita HarianPopular Female SingerHerself202438th Anugerah Juara Lagu -"Astana"36th Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita HarianMost Boom Song"Masing Masing" (with Govinda)SCTV Awards 2024Best Sinetron SoundtrackContentAsia AwardBest Original Song for An Asian TV Series/Programme or Movie"Ayuh" (with Aman RA, Kmy Kmo, Malique)33rd Festival Filem MalaysiaBest Theme Song202539th Anugerah Juara LaguBest Vocals"Aura"Gempak Most Wanted Awards 2024Best Music Video 2024"Masing Masing" (with Govinda)Anugerah Bintang Popular 2025 Bintang Paling Popular 2025 Penyanyi Wanita Popular 2025
References
External links Ernie Zakri on YouTube