At 40, Misha Omar is secure in her unwavering passion for singing. Her first performance of 2022 aims to help those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. (Inset: The H Entertainments managing director Arman Muhammad Mustafa) – Pics by NSTP/AZIAH AZMEE
At 40, Misha Omar is secure in her unwavering passion for singing. Her first performance of 2022 aims to help those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. (Inset: The H Entertainments managing director Arman Muhammad Mustafa) – Pics by NSTP/AZIAH AZMEE

LIFE begins at 40, as the old adage goes, and singer Misha Omar is certainly having the time of her life.

Having celebrated her milestone birthday on Jan 6, the multi-award-winning songstress feels that she's at a point in her life where she is in control, relatively comfortable and mature enough to take on what comes next.

"Life has treated me well so far. I've been blessed with a balanced normalcy so I can't complain.

"The journey has been one where there would be times where things were running real fast, but at other moments, moving pretty slow," she says during an interview at the Royale Chulan Hotel in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

Looking fresh and resplendent, the artiste, whose real name is Samihah @ Aisah Omar, expresses gratitude to her fans for keeping her illustrious career alive over the years.

And this year represents her second decade of being able to entertain music lovers with her inimitable vocal stylings.

STRONG SUPPORT

"I've been lucky enough to build a lasting career as an artiste. But it's all because of my fans who have been supporting my creative endeavours from singing to songwriting.

"Their support and belief in me have motivated me to carry on doing what I love. It's been a fun, surprising and fulfilling journey," says the 40-and-fabulous singer.

Born in Machang, Kelantan, Misha has won eight Anugerah Juara Lagu trophies and five Anugerah Industri Muzik awards.

Jumping into singing at the age of 19 by participating in Bintang RTM, she later garnered the Gold Award at the Shanghai Music Festival in 2003.

Although Misha denies having any regrets with the path she has chosen for herself, she admits she initially had doubts about being a singer.

"I was less confident back then. When I started out, I thought that my singing stint would last only for about three years and then I'd be doing something else.

"I had my doubts but I was lucky to receive a lot of encouragement from many fronts — my husband, my sister, who is also my manager, and my friends, in addition to the fans who kept coming back for more.

"So I made a decision to just go with my dream and do my very best to make it last," says the mother of three.

HELPING HAND

The talented artiste, who has also acted in films, telemovies, drama series and theatre productions, will be having her first performance of 2022 during a charity show that aims to help those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in the arts industry.

Dubbed Bunga-Bunga Cinta Misha Omar, Charity and Fundraising Gala Dinner, the concert is a two-hour event that will take place on Feb 19 at the Royale Chulan Hotel KL.

"Aside from myself, there will also be a few other guest performers, including

Akademi Fantasia

alumni Dafi and Zarol Zarif.

"There will be a live band to accompany us and you can expect a few surprises along the way," says the Nafas Cahaya, Sampai Bila and Bunga-Bunga Cinta hitmaker.

Known for her strong vocal delivery and moving ballads, Misha adds the setlist will be a variety of popular tunes as well as upbeat numbers to keep the audience entertained.

Organised by The H Entertainments Sdn Bhd, the charity concert is a black-tie function that hopes to raise much-needed funds from the corporate sector.

Part of the proceeds from tickets sales for tables and individual seats will be channelled to Persatuan Kebajikan Semerah Padi and Persatuan Penyanyi, Pemuzik, Penulis Lagu Tanah Air.

"As we all know, the past couple of years have not been good, especially for our friends in the entertainment scene, who could not work as usual due to the lockdowns and such.

"So I hope that the corporate sector will come and support this to raise funds to help those in need," says Misha.

HOPE FOR MORE SHOWS

The H Entertainments managing director Arman Muhammad Mustafa, who is also present, says the upcoming charity concert is a start to providing job opportunities to those in the entertainment scene, including the behind-the-scenes personnel.

"We'd like to invite the corporate sector to provide its support to create more opportunities to organise events that can enliven and rejuvenate the arts industry, which has taken a severe beating due to the pandemic.

"The ability to stage more events will create more job opportunities that will help those in the arts and entertainment scene, such as musicians, dancers, makeup artists, and to be able to sustain themselves," says Arman.

Tables that seat eight people for the charity and fundraising concert are categorised as Platinum (RM25,000), Gold (RM20,000), Diamond (RM15,000) Ruby (RM10,000) and Silver (RM5,000).

Individual seats can also be purchased at various prices ranging from RM625 to RM3,125.

For enquiries and to purchase tables or seats, call Burhan at 011-5117 2144 or Whatsapp 019-250 0388.