Hady's your new Idol

Singapore has made her choice. The smooth R&B vocals of Hady Mirza have won over the hearts of viewers and its owner has been crowned Singapore's new singing sensation.

After a nationwide search which spanned eight months and 15 weeks of voting, a new Singapore Idol is finally born. He is none other than 26-year-old Hady Mirza.

This much-anticipated piece of news was announced by host Gurmit Singh after a 90-minute results show which featured a star-studded lineup including Season One's winner Taufik Batisah, local band Electrico, Taiwan-made-good local songbird Tanya Chua, the legendary Rahimah Rahim as well as Taiwanese hip hop boy band Energy.

Though not displaying as shocked an expression as last season's Taufik Batisah, a speechless Hady was seen fighting back tears after his name was called out as the one Singapore has voted to be the Singapore Idol. His was a landslide victory marked by 70 per cent of some one million votes which poured in following Sunday night's performance show whereby the Top 2 sang their hearts out with three songs each, including an original number You Give Me Wings which Hady would now record as his first single. The voting lines were closed minutes before 9pm tonight.

Struggling to keep his composure in front of an 8000-strong crowd, the well-deserved winner said of his triumph: “All my hard work has brought me here at last. Jonathan is also a winner too.”

Indeed, Jonathan – the suave rocker with the deep baritone voice had been a hot contender for the Idol title. His Japanese-idol swoon-worthy looks have won him legion of female fans. Addressing Jonathan first, Ken said: “Jonathan, your journey has just begun. I share the view of Dick. I think you can be a regional star anytime.

Speaking to his new charge, Ken said in his characteristic solemn tone: “You are now the Singapore Idol. Make sure you are inspirational. Make sure you make the nation proud.”

Amidst decibel-breaking cheers and screams, Hady sang his first single the You Give Me Wings like he has always owned the song. Accompanied by a sea of flailing hands of the fans and a shower of confetti, Hady sang the words of his song with conviction. After all, he must be flying high with his emotions with his win.

In a ‘live' interview with MediaCorp TV Channel 5 News, a jubilant Hady said that his mind went blank right after his name was called. He then took the opportunity to thank his fans. “I just wanna say thank you very much. Thank you for making my dreams come true.”

At the post-show press conference held minutes after the show ended, it was revealed that as the winner of Singapore Idol, Hady would ink a three-year recording contract with Universal Music (renewable after one year) as well as a management contract with Hype Records, where Ken is the managing director.

Look out for Hady's debut album sometime in end October or early November this year. With a friendly appeal almost similar to Taufik's, the head honchos have set the direction of Hady's musical career as going the way of mainstream pop, just like his predecessor.
When asked on runner-up Jonathan's future, Ken declined to comment, preferring reporters to keep their focus and attention on the man of the night – Hady Mirza - a name which we, no doubt, will be hearing more of.