Broadcast from | 9 March – 16 May 2009 |
---|---|
Judges | Adlin Aman Ramlie Edry Hashim Khatijah Ibrahim |
Host(s) | AC Mizal |
Co-host(s) | Sarimah Ibrahim |
Broadcaster | Astro Ria |
Finals venue | Putra Indoor Stadium |
Mohd Hafiz Mohd Suip | |
Origin | Kuching, Sarawak |
Song | "Masih Jelas" |
Genre(s) | Pop, Pop Rock |
Khairil Azam Pilus |
The seventh season of Akademi Fantasia premiered on 9 March 2009 and continued until 16 May 2009 on the Astro Ria television channel. AC Mizal continued to host the show, while Adlin Aman Ramlie, Edry Hashim and Khatijah Hashim joined the judging panel following the departures of Fauziah Ahmad Daud and Ning Baizura. The promotional catch phrase of this season is "Bring Out Your Self-Transformation".
On 10 February 2009, Astro management released the list of professional trainers who would take charge of this season's contestants. Tiara Jacquelina was revealed to be the Principal for this season, marking the first time ever a woman to be given the role as the Principal.
On 16 May 2009, Mohd Hafiz Mohd Suip from Kuching, Sarawak became the winner of the seventh season of Akademi Fantasia, who defeated Khairil Azam Pilus. This season also featured Afiq Hakim Ahmad, who would subsequently became the overall winner of 2015 Anugerah Juara Lagu.
As much as 3.9 million votes were cast throughout this season.
According to the manager of Astro Ria, Khairul Mizan, this season was opened to not only Malaysian citizen, but also to Singaporean citizen. The rationale behind the eligibility of Singaporean citizen to participate in this show was meant to broaden the influence of Astro in Singapore through the popularity of the show which is broadcast through mio TV.
Apart from that, this season was also eligible to established performers who wished to participate in the show. However, the opportunity would only be given to those who are not embedded with any recording or management contracts.
There were also changes in the line-up of this season's professional trainers. Linda Jasmine, who has been the choreographer of Akademi Fantasia since the first season was being replaced by A. Aris Kadir. Ida Nerina served as the students' Acting & Drama coach, replacing Fauziah Nawi. Lastly, Hashridz Murshim was in charge of the music composition which was previously held by Ramli M.S.