SUPERSTARS of 2014

The Lux-Channel i Superstar program is like a time machine. It catapults new talent into the heart of the media, straight into the limelight. Without this program, aspirants would have to work for years and slowly climb the ladder of popularity before being considered for acting roles. For young women of Bangladesh who dream about a career in the media, the Superstar program is a godsend. It's not just a talent hunt program or a beauty pageant, but also a reality show in Bangladesh and a showcase of creative entertainment centered on beauty and elegance. It's for women who believe in themselves and are ready to face a three-month long grooming session designed to ignite their potential. Lux has been involved with beauty pageants for almost 50 years. During this time, they have brought many famous names to the public eye. They help not only to promote, but to develop and hone the skills needed to be successful. This week, Star Showbiz is pleased to present 2014's final five superstars!

Tell us how your families reacted when you wanted to participate and how it felt to be chosen as one of the initial 18?
Nadia: My mother was ecstatic that I wanted to participate, but my father wasn't quite sure, because I had just finished my HSC entrance exam and my admission tests were about to start.
Nazifa: Both my parents were supportive since the beginning, they were very happy at the fact that I had accomplished so much in such a short period of time.
Neela: My mother supported me from the very beginning, and just like the others my father was the unsure one but after I reached the top five they were overjoyed. It wasn't just them, the feeling was shared by my relatives.
Prema: For the audition, my mother and I showed up, my father didn't know about it then. I wasn't really hoping to get in, I just thought, might as well apply to see what happens.
Supria: Everyone at home was really excited about me making it to the top five, what my mother said was that I should be happy whatever the outcome is. Even my father was happy about it, at first he was indifferent towards it and suggested that I focus on my studies instead. Eventually he came around!

What was the biggest challenge as a contestant?
Nadia:  I never knew I could dance but when the judges asked me to, I had to, so you have to be mentally and physically prepared for just about anything!
Nazifa: I thought of acting as a challenge, but I was lucky. Every time we were filmed, people said my acting was wonderful, even Aly Zakir sir complemented my acting, he said it was “extraordinary” and Tahsan sir said “After all of us watched the play, we just clapped for you and everyone watching at home is doing the same”. This was something really big for me.
Neela:  I didn't know how to swim and was taught by a professional how to do so for an underwater photoshoot. This was very challenging!
Prema: My biggest challenge was to manage pressure. We would finish one program and then be immediately sent to another. It felt like one task didn't go well, so I'll try and do better on the next one, but there wasn't a lot of time to catch my breath in between. This was a challenge at first but then I got used to the pressure.
Supria:  My biggest challenge was acting, because I had no idea about it. We were asked to perform two of Humayan Ahmed's dramas while the organizers assigned roles. When being judged we didn't know if they were doing a good job or not, however Nadia and I managed to make it to the top two!

What were the most important things you learnt through the Superstar program?
Nadia:  I learnt how to be more tolerant and patient.
Nazifa: We were taught how to discipline ourselves and how to respond to things instantly, for example, when judges asked me to do something, I couldn't think on it for too long, I had to respond immediately and be good at it.
Neela: I learnt how to be more social, what to do and what not to do and in which circumstance.
Prema:  I learnt how to work under pressure and how to push myself to the limit along. The lessons on dieting, yoga, and meditation were also useful.
Supria:  We were taught how to walk, eat and speak in entirely new ways. I also learnt to keep pushing myself to achieve what I want.

Any favourite comment or advice from the judges which you will always cherish?
Nadia:  During the filming of a TVC, Tahsan sir told me “If there was anyone who can portray Lux on TV, it's you.” This really gave me a confidence boost!
Nazifa: Tahsan sir said he wanted to act with me and Shuvo Nofsan madam made it clear that she really liked my acting.
Neela:  All the judges had really nice things to say, never did I have to hear anything bad from them. They really liked my smile, and always urged me to keep on smiling.
Prema: The judges really liked my pictures from the underwater photo shoot, along with my acting. It didn't really matter if the feedback was good or bad, I always took it positively.
Supria:  Shamima madam and Nipa madam were guest judges for the dance segment and told me that throughout Lux's history, never have they seen anyone dance as well as I did!

What do you think is most important in order to win?
Nadia:  It's important to learn wholeheartedly. If I'm being taught something, I learn it with the upmost dedication and hard work. If I'm asked to do something I do it with belief and confidence in myself regardless of what I think the outcome will be.
Nazifa:  I think most important is to keep believing in oneself, because otherwise you won't be able to do anything. This is something that I had in mind from day one.
Prema: I too feel that believing in yourself is crucial to anything you do in life, this is my motto. Another important things is knowing to deal with pressure, and being able to handle it. I performed badly in a few of the earlier segments because I didn't know how to.
Supria:  Every day, you need to be prepared to learn new things, along with believing in yourself and also preparing to do whatever you do better than before.
Neela: In the beginning I didn't believe in myself as much as I do now because every judge had such good things to say about me, I am convinced that I should never stop believing in myself. I think this belief is important.

The five finalists agree that the Lux-Channel i Superstar is a great platform for people who want a career in the media industry. Not only does it teach participants the many skills needed to survive in the media but it is also a wonderful experience that builds self-belief and confidence.

Catch the uncut version of Showbiz's Cover Interview and more on Radio Shadhin 92.4 FM Every Saturday, 11 PM onwards.

Interviewed By Rafi Hossain and Narrated Waleed K. Rajamiya