ENDING IT ON A SPECTACULAR NOTE

U Mobile Brings Cheers of Joy and Hope for Stardom at the Pop Star 2012 Grand Finale

Kuala Lumpur, 24 December 2012 – It was possibly the best Christmas present and a defining moment of the year 2012 for Valery Lau Wee Hua when the hosts announced her name at the Pop Star 2012 Grand Finale, crowning her the champion of the four-month long singing competition, which culminated in a glitzy affair at Dewan Wawasan, Menara PGRM.

Valery aced the singing competition with her strong vocal performance and charming stage presence, defeating seven other hopefuls, to be named the winner of Pop Star 2012. Apart from bagging cash and gift prizes worth more than RM50,000, including a brand new Samsung GALAXY SIII by U Mobile, she will be part of the Malaysian representation at ‘The Million Stars’ singing competition to be held in Taiwan in 2013.

The top three winners – Yap Wan Yee (left), First Runner-up of Pop Star 2012; Valerie Lau Wee Hua (second from right), Champion of Pop Star 2012 and Jeff Yip Jing Qun (right), Second Runner-up of Pop Star 2012 sharing a photo moment with Kay Huang (second from left), whom they will be meeting during ‘The Million Star’ singing competition they are participating next year.

“There was absolute numbness in me when the host called out my name and I just could not contain the excitement of being crowned the winner of Pop Star 2012. I would like to thank the judges, fans and U Mobile for believing in me, my talent and making my dream come true. I will do my best and make Malaysia proud at ‘The Million Stars’ competition, I promise,” said the lass from Johor.

Yap Wan Yee and Jeff Yip Jing Qun also wowed both the judges and the audience with their commendable performance at the grand finale, landing them the honour of first runner-up and second runner-up of Pop Star 2012. Both Yap and Jeff walked away with cash and gifts prizes worth RM35,000 and RM25,000 respectively plus the chance to further pursue their dreams at ‘The Million Stars’ singing competition.

Mr. Lau Hock Chye (back row, sixth from right) U Mobile’s Chief Financial Officer and Mr. Kenneth Chang (back row, second from left), U Mobile’s Director with the finalists, judges, sponsors and organiser of Pop Star 2012.

U Mobile, Malaysia’s most dynamic and innovative telco, continued the company’s commitment in nurturing young talents and helping them achieve their dreams through this sponsorship. Apart from the top three winners, U Mobile also awarded Jeff Yip Jing Qun with a brand new HTC One V for winning the ‘U Mobile SMS Pop Star’ award by garnering the most votes online.

“We are glad to be partnering New Pro Star once again in presenting a great platform for aspiring singers to achieve their dreams in becoming the next singing sensation. Apart from offering exceptional products and services, U Mobile is committed in helping youths pursue their dreams and aspirations. We wish all the winners the very best in their coming endeavours,” said Jaffa Sany Ariffin, CEO of U Mobile.

The eight finalists went through three stages of competition during the finale, from the theme ‘Upbeat Songs Challenge’, ‘Stronger Challenge’ to ‘The Song of My Life’, witnessed by a hall packed with enthusiastic and supportive audience. Prior to the grand finale, the finalists went through rounds of competitions, including the audition, quarter finals and semifinal rounds. Malaysia upcoming artistes like Pink Tan, Vivien Chai, DC were invited to perform during the grand finale as well.

The grand finale was judged by a panel of esteemed music professionals, which includes Kay Hwang, notable music producer and judge of ‘The Million Stars’ alongside local judges Athena Ma, Candy Cheah, Chong Keat Siong and Vic Teo of Malaysian Idol fame.