Nine Akademi Fantasia champions named for Gegar Vaganza’s 13th season
Four more contestants are still to be announced for the season, which introduces fan voting worth 10 per cent of each performer’s score.
Nine former Akademi Fantasia winners will compete in Gegar Vaganza’s 13th season, beginning on November 8. The initial contestants were unveiled in Kuala Lumpur on October 22, 2026, with four places in the 13-person field to be announced later.
The season, named Gegar Vaganza Fantasia, forms part of Astro’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Its first five confirmed contestants are AF1 winner Vince Chong, AF2 winner Zahid Baharuddin, AF3 winner Mawi, AF4 winner Faizal Ramly and AF5 winner Mila Jirin. They will compete alongside Stacy (AF6), Shahir (AF8), Faizul Sany (AF10) and Firman Bansir (AF11).
Astro is introducing audience voting through the Gegar Vaganza WhatsApp chatbot. Fan votes will contribute 10 per cent of each contestant’s score, leaving 90 per cent to the judges. The competition offers RM100,000 for first place, RM50,000 for second and RM30,000 for third.
Returning hosts Nabil Ahmad, Jihan Muse and Sherry Alhadad will lead the programme. The judging panel again includes Datuk Ramli MS, Hetty Koes Endang and Datuk Syafinaz Selamat, while former Akademi Fantasia instructors will appear as guest judges.
The programme will be broadcast live from Shah Alam’s MBSA Auditorium over 11 weeks. Episodes are scheduled for Sundays at 9pm on Astro Ria, Channel 104.
