Farah Asyikin
Artiste, 2008
Diploma in Multimedia, Advertising & Broadcasting
If you want to enter this line you can’t do it just for the glamour and fame. It’s not just about being famous, because fame will come if you’re good at whatever you are doing…You do this because you believe in yourself and you’re going all out to achieve your dreams.
05 September 2008
More Alumni
The girl who dared to be a star
Written by By Christine Chan
Farah Asyikin has been seen on television and heard on the radio. Now read the story of this award-winning singer and reality TV finalist as she shares what it takes to be successful in the music industry and how Limkokwing University played its part in transforming her into who she is today. Christine Chan tells the story.
Farah Asyikin has gone a long way since she first stepped into the cold and chilling audition rooms of Malaysian Idol in 2005. The third place finalist of Malaysian Idol of that year and fifth place finalist of One in a Million, the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology alumna won Best New Female Artiste at Anugerah Planet Muzik in 2008, and was nominated for Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian that same year.
“My life has changed ever since then,” gushed Farah, who admitted that she joined Malaysian Idol purely for fun, “and I learned a lot from the competition. I learned to push myself to greater limits and handle criticism more openly, because it is through criticism that you will learn and improve.”
Farah Asyikin, who is currently signed under production house Satu Entertainment, has certainly learned fast. Her self-titled debut album, which was released in 2007 and produced by Audi Mok, spawned not one but several hit singles, including Di Pangkuan Pilu, 1000 Penipuan, Dari Sini ke Bintang-Bintang, Get Happy and Cinta.
I learned to push myself to greater limits and handle criticism more openly, because it is through criticism that you will learn and improve.
1000 Penipuan is probably the most recognizable track from the album, having been featured in the soundtrack for the popular Gol & Gincu television series. Her success earned her the honour of being the brand ambassador for Roscani’s new line of elegant dress watches, called the Trouville Collection.
Although she admits that success in the music industry is often a matter of luck and fate, Farah has no delusions about the hard work necessary in order to succeed. “Fame doesn’t fall right at your feet,” she explains, “You need will power, strength of endurance, and passion to carve your way through.”
Fame doesn’t fall right at your feet, you need will power, strength of endurance, and passion to carve your way through.
Describing herself as a girl who dares to be different, Farah’s exposure to the entertainment industry can be said to have begun since she was a teenager. At sixteen, Farah was working as a part-time model and starring in television commercials for Twisties and Nutri Beauty, and at nineteen she was recording two singles for the Salem Cool Planet compilation album, namely Bebas and Kembali Lagi di Sisimu.
Farah admits that the influence of her uncle, film director M. Jamil, and her father, who won the Bintang Radio RTM competition in the 1960s, has been highly instrumental in shaping her current path of life. As Farah states in her own words, “Singing runs in my family.”
Nevertheless, a lucky combination of family encouragement and popularity with both the audience is no excuse for her to slack. Farah, who plays the piano and organ on top of singing, keeps her vocal skills up to par by practicing everyday.
“I received no professional teaching in singing when I was young. I learned through experience, and throughout my journey, I kept learning from others with more experience whom I’ve met along the way.”
Farah, who graduated from Limkokwing University with a Diploma in Advertising and Broadcasting, says that the university’s environment and teaching style is excellent in preparing students to face the real world.
“The university is filled with creative minds and packed with talent. From my years at university I’ve learned how to communicate with others, handle public and media relations, present myself and develop a sense of confidence, discipline, perseverance and endurance – all of which are very useful to my line of work right now.”
She is especially thankful to Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Lim Kok Wing, who was always supportive of her and made her believe in herself.
From my years at university I’ve learned how to communicate with others, handle public and media relations, present myself and develop a sense of confidence, discipline, perseverance and endurance – all of which are very useful to my line of work right now.
Farah advises those who enter the music industry to be mindful because competition is rising not just within the country, but from Indonesia and Singapore. “Singers today are bolder and willing to experiment with new styles of singing, so you’ve got to be different and shine from the rest.”
“If you want to enter this line you can’t do it just for the glamour and fame. It’s not just about being famous, because fame will come if you’re good at whatever you are doing, not just if you’re singing,” she says.
“You do this because you believe in yourself and you’re going all out to achieve your dreams.”
