Fiqrie Dahari on Resilience, Reinvention, and Rising Above the Airwaves

Charismatic, endlessly curious, and always in command of the moment—Fiqrie Dahari moves through the entertainment world with ease. At least that’s how he makes it seem. Those who have been following him from the beginning—when he landed a spot as an announcer at Hot FM, one of the biggest radio stations in town, before he even graduated college—would know the far-reaching career trajectory he has been on.

Always eager for new challenges, Fiqrie confidently stepped beyond his comfort zone in radio and television, branching further into the creative world. From inking exclusive deals with high-profile brands like Omega and Uniqlo to hosting prestigious events like Singapore’s Design Fair Asia and Meta’s Worlds Creator Academy, the seasoned media personality has achieved an impressive longevity in a notoriously fast-moving industry.

We recently sat down with the man himself, revisiting the milestones, setbacks, and breakthroughs that have shaped his decades-spanning career.

How did you first discover your passion for hosting—or showbiz in general?

To be honest, being on the radio and television ultimately made hosting all organic in the end. But what gives me the kick is the instant reaction of the crowd. I lost someone truly close to me a few years back, and I promised myself I would bring smiles, laughter, and positive vibes through any means I could. Also, I’ve been told by many that I’m good at this…worldwide!

What has your journey taught you about adaptability in an ever-changing landscape?

I actually started using Spotify while I was doing radio. It sure made life easier, especially when the recording labels hadn’t released the songs yet. My motto is to just roll with it. Because most of the time, it makes life way easier. But use it as a millennial—combining what’s practical and makes sense the most with the biggest return on investment.

What has been the biggest setback in your career?

There was a time I had to restart my career after being away—working and studying in Singapore—for three years. It was quite scary, especially when I chose to pursue the path I desired in the English medium. But nothing beats being yourself, as authenticity is always key when it comes to everything, especially branding yourself in showbiz.

Looking back, what career milestone stands out the most to you?

Being signed by Omega has got to be up there. Funny story: I met the brand’s chief executive officer a year prior to that during the launch of their Suria KLCC store. All the influencers were sucking up to him, but I spent most of my time chatting with my childhood idol Sheila Majid, who was standing next to him. Again, authenticity (and honesty, I suppose, in this instant) wins.

What’s the biggest on-air mistake you’ve made?

I had an interesting experience with a Korean actor and singer when I was in the studio. With these stars, you’re typically asked to send the questions to their management team two weeks in advance for approval, and on air, you’re meant to ad-lib them while pretending to open the line for fans to call in. However, in this case, I wasn’t allowed to take calls or improvise questions as if they were from fans. As a result, my Twitter blew up with negative comments from his fans. It was completely unexpected at the station, and unfortunately, I ended up taking the brunt of it.

What about on-stage mishaps?

Probably the time I trusted the audio team a little too much during an event. Let’s just say there were quite a few hiccups. That experience taught me to be extremely detail-oriented when it comes to live shows. Now, I make it a point to go through everyone’s tasks during the dry run and provide my own input on what’s practical and realistic. Sometimes I feel like I should get extra credit—or pay—as the event and stage manager! If anything goes wrong, my face is the one in front taking the blame. I have even worse stories, but we’ll stick to these for now.

What do you think is the secret behind your staying power?

Just be yourself and keep learning so you improve with every experience. I’m always learning from everybody—old and new. People think we are in the industry of a lot of talking, but a good emcee listens and observes. Also, ignore the politics and backstabbing, but be aware of them if action is ever necessary. Always do good and be kind, while making it clear that you eat bullies and those who speak lies about you for breakfast.

You’ve managed to maintain such a youthful energy and presence. What’s your secret?

A good skin doctor and hairstylist are imperative—shoutout to Clique Clinic and Hair Tric and Lashility, who I’ve been seeing for the past 10 years. I also believe that, over time, what’s in your heart shows on your face. So, cultivate a good heart, practice compassion, and try not to hold grudges by addressing issues directly with those involved.

What’s next for you? Are there any upcoming projects you’re excited about?

I’d rather not jinx it just yet, but if you’ve been following me on Instagram these past few months, you might have caught a few teasers here and there. I’m really excited for 2025. There are still so many new things to explore and learn! Do wish me well, and of course, keep me in mind whenever you need a professional emcee, a content creator, or both!