Meet These 4 Amazing Contestants From The 'Calpis Soda One In A Million' Penang Auditions

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ICYMI, the popular singing competition from the '00s is making a comeback, and auditions are currently underway!

Hopeful contestants first made their way to the Johor Bahru auditions on 2 and 3 November, while the Penang auditions took place at Sunshine Central just last weekend.

Many talented singers have already made the cut and auditions are still ongoing, so if you've been looking for a chance to make your singing dreams come true, this could be your shot!

The winner of TV singing programme Lagu Cinta Kita 2 made a surprise appearance at the Penang auditions.

Despite his previous win, Khareez feels he hasn't truly made a mark on the singing industry and hopes that participating in Calpis Soda One In A Million will be a stepping stone that takes his career to new heights.

The 30-year-old doesn't see his past win as an excuse to have a big head or think he's better than others. On the contrary, he believes that this competition is a fresh chance to prove his skills and keep learning.

The Kota Kinabalu native, who used to struggle with anxiety that made it difficult for him to perform in public, was previously known for his duet performances. So, this time, he wants to show he's got what it takes to be a solo singer, and is eager to showcase his unique vocals and build his own identity in the music industry.

"When people hear about Calpis Soda One In A Million, they usually focus on the RM1 million grand prize, but I have a different perspective. The prize is great, but my main goal is to showcase my songs to the public. I hope this chance will help my career grow," said Khareez.

When doctors made the decision to amputate Syamsyul's mother's leg due to diabetes, he was actually against it, but was powerless to stop it as he was working in Singapore at the time. Ever since, the 37-year-old has dedicated his life to making his mother's daily life as convenient and comfortable as possible.

To that end, Syamsyul, who hails from Kedah, wants to use the prize money to buy her a prosthetic leg.

"She needs my help for all daily tasks, including bathing and eating. Seeing her in need of constant help makes me determined to do my best for her. My wish is to change her life; to give her the happiness and comfort she deserves, because to me, her sacrifices thus far have been incomparable.

"The prosthetic leg I want to get for her costs RM20,000. According to the research I did, that's the best option in terms of quality. With the prosthetic leg, I hope she'll be able to walk more comfortably and confidently. It's more that just a tool, it's an avenue for her to get her freedom back," Syamsyul explained, tearing up at his audition.

Besides that, he also sees this competition as a way to embrace a previous opportunity he missed out on. After participating in Season 5 of singing competition Mentor, Syamsyul was supposed to take part in a follow-up programme, Mentor Legend, but got into a car accident on the way to KL.

The incident left him with a broken leg, causing him to miss the auditions and shattering his singing dreams. With Calpis Soda One In A Million, Syamsyul sees a chance for redemption.

Talk about determination!

The 33-year-old's burning desire wasn't dampened when he failed to pass on the first day, returning the next day to try again with an improved performance. On both days, he was even the first in line to register.

"On the first day, the judges stressed that I probably lacked preparation, especially in terms of song choice. They also thought I was too fixed on one genre — rock ballads. Plus, my performance was quite stiff in the beginning.

"But I still came back the next day with better preparation, more open to various genres, and determined to show the best version of myself," said Rafizul, who is part of a band that often goes busking in Penang.

"Sadly, I wasn't fated to pass this time, but my ambitions don't end here. I'm determined to keep trying, and might even take part in the next auditions in KL next week. With my blazing spirit for success, I'm excited to show a better version of myself than the one at the Penang auditions. Every experience is a step towards my chasing my dreams," he added.

Since he was 12 years old, Ooi was part of 8TV Family Singing Show from Season 1 to Season 3, along with his grandfather and younger sibling. This exposure to the singing industry from a young age not only honed his talent, but also inspired him to dream big.

Though he's only 16 years old, the Penang boy can play various instruments, including guitar, piano, and violin. Even more impressively, he can even dance choreography while singing.

Through this competition, the teenager wants to challenge himself on a bigger stage and prove that his talent is enough to kickstart his music career. His aim is to improve his music skills, hone his vocal abilities, and deliver something different with every performance.

"Thank you to my family who always supports me. I've loved singing since I was a kid, and because of that, I learned how to play all kinds of instruments to expand my repertoire.

"I want to show something new and different on stage, as well as challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone by trying different genres like pop, ballads, and more," said Ooi excitedly.

Date: 16 & 17 November
Time: 10am - 10pm
Venue: AEON Hall Level 4, AEON Mall Shah Alam & Block D, Perdanasiswa Complex, University of Malaya

If you can't make it in person, you can also audition online by uploading a one-minute video of yourself singing. Post your video on TikTok before 17 November with the hashtags #CalpisOIAMTV3 and #SegarRasaSodapSuara.

Auditions are open to all residents of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei who are aged 15 years and above. Solos, duos, and groups are all welcome. Those going for the in-person auditions will have to bring a minus one of your chosen song in MP3 format, as well as passport and 4R sized photos of yourself.

You can get more info on the official Instagram account.