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An MTV Asia handout picture shows US group Pussycat Dolls performing at the MTV Asia Award in Genting Highlands, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 02 August 2008. EPA/MTV ASIA
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ARENA OF STARS
We want our MTV
Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul
DAILY XPRESS
Kuala Lumpur
Published on August 5, 2008
The music channel's Asia Awards return, making their Malaysian debut with a fabulous night out
More than 3,000 fans turned out on Saturday night to the Arena of Stars in Genting Highlands, Malaysia, to celebrate the return of the MTV Asia Awards 2008 which, after five successful editions in Singapore and Thailand, were put on hold last year, disappointing millions of music lovers. "2007 was a very special year for MTV Networks in Asia because of the realignment of our business to set up for our next phase of growth. Our aim is not just to provide compelling content for youth across Asia but also to reach out to them through multiplatform strategies. The success of MAA 2008 is an example of how we've has reached our goals and will continue to keep abreast as market leader. More than 23 million music fans voted for their Favourite Artist via online, WAP and SMS," explained Amid Jain, executive vice president of MTV Networks Asia. This year's comeback sizzled, with a dazzling line-up of Western and Asian celebrities including Leona Lewis, Panic at the Disco, The Pussycat Dolls, and Super Junior, who walked along the red carpet among hordes of young fans holding various homemade signs. This being Malaysia, the ladies weren't dressed to kill and even the super sexy Pussycat Dolls looked positively demure in simple dresses with a black-and-white theme.
Chart toppers perform Inside the hall, the atmosphere was lively as the Pussycat Dolls swung into their "Buttons/When I Grow Up" medley and British singer Leona Lewis performed her chart topper "Bleeding Love". In between the shows, hosts Jared Leto and Karen Mok handed out the awards, with Stefanie Sun winning the prize for Favourite Artist Singapore and Tor Saksit picking up Favourite Artist Thailand. This reviewer wondered for a moment why Sun had once again picked up her country's award before realising while she sings in Mandarin rather than English, the majority of Singaporeans prefer to listen to Chinese music. "I want to share my music with you all," said a beaming Tor, after thanking his fans for voting for him.
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