BY SARAH HAFIZAH CHANDRA
KUCHING: Having spent over a decade in the entertainment industry as a recording artiste, Leez Zwita is embarking on a new role as a radio announcer with KupiKupi FM Sarawak.
The seeds of Leez’s interest in the entertainment industry were sown since she was a young girl.
“I have always been interested in singing since I was a young girl, I participated in many talents shows like Bintang Kecil RTM and events.
“After completing secondary school, I decided to pursue this passion and I have been working with Och Sound Production for over 10 years now,” she told the New Sarawak Tribune.
Prior to pursuing her passion for singing full time, Leez who studied civil engineering at Polytechnic Kuching worked in the industry for two years.
“After two years, I decided to fully dedicate myself to my passion of singing and it was the best decision I ever made,” said the 31-year-old from Simunjan.
Leez has produced two albums in Iban with songs entitled ‘Gerah Mata Udang’ and ‘Bajik Tuai’ being some of her popular hits.
She said exposure in the entertainment industry since a young age has provided her with the opportunity to expand her public relations skills and social network.
She said one of the best things about her career as a recording artiste is getting to meet new people.
“If you want to succeed in the entertainment industry, you cannot be shy or timid and it all starts with a dream.
“This is what I often advise those who are thinking about pursuing a career in the entertainment industry,” she said.
On her transition from a performing artiste to a radio announcer, Leez said she is grateful to be given the opportunity to pursue a career in broadcasting.
She said becoming a radio announcer is something that has been in her mind considering her fondness of meeting and talking to people.
“I personally find that there is not much difference between being an artiste and a radio announcer because both require your ability to use your voice.
“However, you must learn how to play around with your voice because the listeners cannot see you,” she said.
Leez together with five of her colleagues who were selected to become KupiKupi FM Sarawak’s radio announcers underwent six months of training.
She said she learned many new things about radio broadcasting including the art of maintaining a seamless flow of conversation while on air.
“There is something different about being a radio announcer compared to an artiste, we must be on our toes in coming up with good ideas and ensuring that it would be engaging to our listeners.
“We must also make sure that our listeners understand what we are talking about, so that they can engage with us,” she said.
When asked if listeners recognised her voice during the trial run, Leez said some managed to identify her.
“Yes, there have been a few listeners who recognised my husky voice,” she said.
Leez said her segment called ‘Kupi Jem’ will be air on Monday to Friday from 4pm to 8pm.
On Monday, Leez will discuss on easy topics and trending issues on her ‘Singgah Senen’ programme followed by ‘Let’s Poret’ on Tuesday which revolves around relationships and friendships among others.
Leez will also promote local businesses in her ‘B’Randau Lemai’ programme on Wednesday.
“I love going food hunting so on Thursday I talk about viral, popular, and hidden food and beverage gems by local businesses on the ‘Sudu Cherpu’ programme.
“As for Friday, I will be inviting local artistes and promoting their music on the ‘Leezy bEATS programme,” she said.
