ATQ 2001 Championship－My Only Idol

THE GRAND FINALS OF
THE ASTRO TALENT QUEST 2001

It was a beautiful and memorable night for the 10 finalists of the grand finals of the ASTRO Talent Quest 2001. Hosted by the gorgeous Coco Kwok Yen Yen (of the pop duo Summer Grace), AEC Music Station host, Phoebe Yip and ASTRO Talent Quest 1999's Best Talent winner, Lim Tiow Piow, the night was ever more entertaining and bubbly.

A 19 year old student, Lim Kien Fai won the prestigious ASTRO Talent Quest 2001 which was held at the Arena of Stars. Lim charmed the judges and the audience with his spectacular performance as well as his fantastic vocals. Second place went to a 21 year old who is also a student, Wang Wai Yee and third place went to Tan Chee Kang who is a 26 year old Sales Manager.

The three of them along with the seven other finalists had to go through a grueling 2 rounds to test their singing ability as well as their talents. For round 1 of the grand finals of the ASTRO Talent Quest 2001, the finalists sang their own selection of songs. As they sung, the finalists were also accompanied by a few dancers. Check out the songs that the 10 finalists sang:

FINALIST:

NO.1 - Gu Dan De Xe Li Wo Gu Dan
NO.2 - Yi Ye Qing
NO.3 - Wang Le Zhen Mo Shuo Wo Ai Ni
NO.4 - Wo Bu Zhai
NO.5 - Dong Ngo Siong Hei Nei

NO.6 - Pa Ni Bu Liao Jie
NO.7 - Chun Zhen Nian Dai
NO.8 - Yue Liang Re De Huo
NO.9 - Kuai Le De Ren Qing Ju Shou
NO.10 - Dei Yat Ji

After all the finalists had finished, last year's second place winner of the ASTRO Talent Quest made her debut. Lim Kai Suen sang "Mei Li Yi Tian" which is one of the songs in her album. Lim Kai Suen had also represented Malaysia for a worldwide Talent Quest and had also managed to obtain second place.

The next round of tests was on their talents. Each finalist had to present a unique or special talent. Below is the breakdown of their performances.

FINALIST


NO.1 Singing his own song composition whilst playing the guitar.	NO.2 An impersonation of a "mini" Michael Jackson.	NO.3 Rapping his own composition.	NO.4 Singing a song which the lyrics had been changed.

NO.5 Impersonating Jackie Chan and Andy Lau. He also sang a song by Andy called "Yat Hey Zhau Goh Dek Yat Zhi".	NO.6 Singing "Hui Jia" whilst playing the piano.	NO.7 Playing the Yangqin or Chinese hammered dulcimer and a short presentation of her Kung Fu skills.	NO.8 Rollerblading and acting out a King.

NO.9 Singing a very sad song.	NO.10 Dancing and singing an Indian song.

After the test of talents, the champion of last years ASTRO Talent Quest, Winnie Ho played the piano and sang, "Guan Dong". This was then followed by a special guest from Taiwan, Telly Lin who sang "Hua Fang Gu Niang" and "Li Ren". After the results have been tabulated, the emcees announced 2 prizes. The first prize was a telephone voting for the most popular finalist. This prize was sponsored by Bonus Link and contestant number 6, Wang Wai Yee won the prize. The second prize was for the Best Talent and it went to contestant number 10, Chin Yoke Fong who had danced and sang an Indian song.

When the prizes had been given out, the emcees also announced the finalists who will make it to the last round. The finalists that were chosen were:

Finalist No. 8 - Tan Chee Kang
Finalist No. 6 - Wang Wai Yee
Finalist No. 3 - Lim Kien Fai

Thus, for the last backbreaking round to see who will be the worthy winner of the ASTRO Talent Quest award, Taiwan's prince of R&B, Jay Chou tested the three of them on their abilities to sing different varying keys on the piano. As Jay Chou played the piano, the three finalists had to sing "Xin Qing". As each finished singing, Jay Chou went to a higher key and this continued on for at least 3 times. All three did a magnificent effort of keeping up with Jay Chou as well as giving out their best to win the Talent Quest.

As a result, the winner, Lim Kien Fai took home a brand new Suzuki Vitara 4WD worth over RM90,000 plus RM5,000 cash and other goodies amounting to over RM100,000. It was definitely a night to remember for Lim as well as everyone present at the grand finals of the ASTRO Talent Quest 2001.

The ASTRO Talent Quest is an internationally acclaimed talent time contest organised by ASTRO Wah Lai Toi to unearth promising talents in Malaysia.

The hosts ...

Jay Chou

Prizes Galore!

The winner of this year's ASTRO Talent Quest 2001 will have the opportunity to drive away with a brand new Suzuki Vitara 4WD worth over RM90,000 plus RM5,000 cash and other goodies amounting to over RM100,000. The winner will also be nominated by ASTRO to represent Malaysia at an upcoming international talent quest.

The top three finalist will be chosen by the ASTRO Talent Quest 2001's judging panel of music industry professionals as well as to undergo a so-called "test" which will be determined by this year's guest artiste, Taiwan's prince of R&B, Jay Chou. How well they cope with Chou's test will determine the winner of the ASTRO Talent Quest 2001.