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Betul ke? Kalau betul bagus la. Hmm berikut adalah petikan yang kami ambil Malay Mail
Norman KRU is AF principal?

Akademi Fantasia 8 rumoured to get youngest principal ever
Joe Lee
Monday, December 28th, 2009 12:38:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The hot seat as the principal of Malaysia’s top reality show, Akademi Fantasia may just got its youngest ever candidate.

According to sources, KRU Studios president and chief executive officer Norman Abdul Halim, 37, has been tipped as the favourite for the post. Despite not having signed on the dotted line, it is rumoured that he is a shoo-in for the job.

If indeed true, this will place Norman in the ranks of some of the most illustrious name in the entertainment industry since the show’s humble beginnings in 2003.

This includes names such as Freddie Fernandez, (who held the post when he was 50, Ramli M.S (who was principal for seasons two and five when he was 45 and 48), M. Nasir (then 48) Ramli Sarip (at the age of 54), Roslan Aziz (at 46) and Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina, earlier this year at age 42.

Despite his younger age, Norman indeed has the credentials to match the job.

Beginning with a music career that blossomed in 1992 with brothers Edry and Yusry in pop trio KRU, he came up with 14 albums. Norman also spearheaded KRU as an entertainment entity – a family organization that has also produced many musical acts in its stable through the years.

The outfit has also been responsible for many movies released under the brand name, which include box-office hits such as Duyung, CicakMan and more recently, My Spy, as well co-producing the upcoming psychological thriller, Deadline which stars the late Brittany Murphy.

Norman could not be contacted for any confirmation of the rumours as he is believed to be abroad at the moment. Sources say he is on holiday at the moment. Meanwhile officials in Astro, the producers of Akademi Fantasia, refused to comment on the speculation.

However, Norman’s possible appointment does not appear to be too far-fetched as it has been learned that the talent management arm of Astro Entertainment Sdn Bhd, has worked out a deal with KRU Studios to produce existing and future talents from the Akademi Fantasia stable under KRU’s care.

KRU has worked closely to produce singles from the Akademi Fantasia stable before, such as Adam, Stacy and currently co-manages Dafi.

Meanwhile, Akademi Fantasia today announced the audition dates for the eighth season.

Astro Ria channel manager Azlin Reza Azmi said auditions will be held at Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur (Jan 9 and 10) The Zon, Johor Bahru (Jan 16 and 17 ), Redbox, Plaza Gurney, Penang (Jan 16 and 17), Hotel Promenade, Kota Kinabalu (Jan 22 to 24), Hotel Merdeka Paca in Kuching (Jan 23 and 24) and Bukit Jalil National Stadium (Jan 30 and 31).

The auditions are open to Malaysians and Singaporeans, from ages 18 to 45 as of Jan 9 2010, as well as recording artistes who are not tied in a contract with any label or management.

Audition songs for female hopefuls are Gagap (Stacy), Jika Kau Ubah Fikiran (Mila), Tak Mungkin Kerna Sayang (Alyah), Dan Sebenarnya (Yuna), Di Taman Teman (Siti Nurhaliza) and When You’re Gone (Avril Lavigne).

Male choices include Situasi (Bunkface), Hujan (Sudirman), Ada Untukmu (Nubhan), Berdendang Dalam Tangisan (Jamal Abdillah), Fikirlah (Aizat) and I’m Yours (Jason Mraz).

Among jury members who will be involved in the audition process include Lah (from the group VE), Deja Moss, Fairuz Hussein and Akademi Fantasia vocal teacher, Syafizawati Shariff as well as Dr Fazley Yaacob and Azahari Othman.

To promote the auditions, a showcase will be held in Johor during the two days of auditions featuring Akademi Fantasia ‘graduates’ including Mawi, Hafiz, Aishah, Yazid and Isma.

For more information, surf to http://www.astro.com.my/akademifantasia.