Nikki (Malaysian singer)

Nikki
Birth name	Nicolette Louisa Palikat
Born	November 1, 1985 (1985-11-01) (age 26)
Origin	Tambunan, Sabah, Malaysia
Genres	Pop
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Artistes United Records
Website	Official Website

Nicolette Louisa Palikat (born November 1, 1985 in Berrien Springs, Michigan), better known by her stage name, "Nikki", is a Malaysian singer from Tambunan, Sabah, and a finalist in the first season of Malaysian Idol. She is known for her vocal belting and her ability to sing in the whistle register.

Personal life

Nikki is of Dusun descent. She is fluent in her native tongue of Bahasa Dusun as well as English and Malay. Prior to entering tertiary study at Kolej Matrikulasi Labuan, Nikki attended St. Francis Convent Secondary School in East Malaysia.

Nicolette is married to Audi Mok, a talented and young music composer on Saturday 27 June 2009 at 2pm in St Francis Xavier Church, Petaling Jaya, presided by Rev Father Simon Yong.

Professional career

While a university student, she successfully auditioned for Malaysian Idol in Kuching, Sarawak, impressing the judges with her rendition of Mariah Carey's Emotions. She eventually progressed through to the 'Final 12' of the competition. After six weeks, Nikki was voted out on September 12, 2004 to some controversy, as she had been seen as a favourite to win by Malaysian Idol judge, Paul Moss.

The following lists Nikki's Malaysian Idol performances:

• Audition - Emotions - (Mariah Carey)
• Workshop - One Moment in Time - (Whitney Houston)
• Wildcard - The Voice Within - (Christina Aguilera)
• Top 12 - Crazy in Love - (Beyoncé)
• Top 10 - I Want You Back - (The Jackson 5)
• Top 8 - Against All Odds - (Phil Collins)
• Top 7 - I'm with You - (Avril Lavigne)
• Top 6 - Emotion - (Destiny's Child)

Originally planning to continue with her studies after her exit from the competition, Nikki secured a recording contract with Artistes United Records and released her debut album, Maharani, in Malaysia on November 28, 2005. The title means 'Empress' in Malay. This album showcases Nikki's abilities in the whistle register, with one critic mentioning it as "whistling a la Mariah Carey."^[1] The ballad 'Pinta' marked Nikki's official debut in the music industry.

The music video for Nikki's second single, Caramu, has been criticised for bearing similar themes and choreography to various music videos of South Korean singer, BoA. This same song won Nikki and collaborating artist, Zahid, an award for best vocal duo at Anugerah Era 2006, a Malaysian music awards ceremony.^[2]

Following Caramu, Nikki teamed up with fellow Malaysian singer, Yanie, and both featured in Ning Baizura's August single release, Drama.

On 28 December 2008, Nikki released her second album, Hawa featuring the singles "Relakan" and "Selamat Tinggal".

Discography

Albums

• Maharani (2005)
• Hawa (2008)

Singles

• Caramu
• Imaginasi
• Drama
• Relakan
• Selamat Tinggal
• Cantik
• Belas-Mu
• Hawa

References

1. ^ http://www.nikkimusic.com.my/press_article4.html MAHARANI CUKUP SELESA, retrieved on November 2, 2006
2. ^ http://www.era.fm/oap/06/AE06/buletin.asp ANUGERAH ERA 2006, retrieved on November 2, 2006

External links

• Nikki Palikat Official Webpage/Blog
• Nikki Palikat Unofficial Website
• Nikki Palikat Fan Forum
• Nikki (Malaysian singer) on Myspace
• Nicolette Palikat at the Internet Movie Database

Persondata
Name	Nikki
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	November 1, 1985
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death