MIRI: Malaysia’s undisputed Queen of Rock, Ella, sent waves of nostalgia and admiration through the Indoor Stadium Miri on Wednesday night as she delivered a stirring performance during the Berkat Gawai-Kaamatan 2025 Concert.
Nor Zila Aminuddin, better known by her stage name Ella, took to the stage to a thunderous welcome from more than 2,000 fans.
Her entrance was met with deafening cheers, and the atmosphere inside the stadium turned electric as she opened with the emotionally charged classic ‘Berlayar Tak Bertepian’.
The audience, spanning all ages, sang along word for word, proof of her enduring popularity and the timeless appeal of her music.
Ella followed up with heartfelt renditions of ‘Sepi Sekuntum Mawar Merah’ and ‘Rama-Rama’, captivating concertgoers with her powerful vocals and unmistakable stage presence.
Many in attendance remarked on how her voice has remained virtually unchanged over the past three decades, retaining the strength, clarity and emotional depth that first earned her national acclaim in the late 1980s.
Even more striking, however, was the wave of astonishment over her youthful appearance.
At nearly 60, Ella continues to defy time, not just with her voice, but also her radiant complexion and graceful poise.
Her ageless beauty became a topic of discussion both on and off stage, especially after her older sister and long-time manager, Jojie, revealed a glimpse into the singer’s health routine.
“Ella doesn’t take sugar or anything sweet,” Jojie shared during a media conference held before the performance.
“She has been very disciplined about her diet for years, and that’s one of the reasons she looks the way she does.”
Ella, speaking briefly to reporters, expressed deep affection for her Sarawakian fans.
“I’ve missed performing here so much,” she said warmly. “And I’m really looking forward to returning, perhaps with a full concert tour in other parts of Sarawak, especially beyond Kuching,”she said.
The Berkat Gawai-Kaamatan 2025 Concert, held in conjunction with the annual Dayak and Kadazandusun harvest festivals and the Miri Day celebration, also featured a stellar lineup of performers from Sarawak, Sabah and Kalimantan.
Among the highlights were performances by Bob Yusof, Ramles Walter, Dabra Sia, Velvet Aduk, Roxy Ixzy, SMDX, and Marina Jara from Indonesia.
Yet, it was Ella who proved the undeniable star of the evening, her legendary status reaffirmed, her voice unyielding, and her grace undimmed by the passage of time.
As the final notes of ‘Rama-Rama’ echoed through the stadium, and fans rose to their feet in ovation, one thing was clear: Ella remains not only a rock icon whose beauty, both inside and out, continues to inspire generations, but also a national treasure.
