This Singaporean Nearly Lost A RM30,000 Radio Contest Because Of His… Accent?
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Muhammad Shalehan found himself in the strangest scenario when a Singaporean radio station said he lost their SG$10,000 (~RM30,700) quiz prize for apparently “mispronouncing” a celebrity name.
But it looks like the radio station, Gold 905, changed their minds following a huge online backlash, a BBC article and with the celebrity himself, Tony Hadley – former lead singer of 80s English new wave band Spandau Ballet – saying that Salehan pronounced his name correctly.
(Credit: Tony Hadley/Twitter)
The quiz, called The Celebrity Name Drop, requires listeners to name 14 celebrities based on an audio clip of them saying the station’s tagline. Callers would name their guesses and people mostly got the names wrong.
But with every correct guess, anyone who’s been actively tuning in would eventually be able to come up with the right names. That someone was Muhammad Shalehan.
He told BBC that he was hooked, tuning in at work whenever possible, and even having the station on for 11 hours on some days.
On 21st April, 32-year-old Shalehan called in to Mediacorp radio station Gold 905 after paying close attention for month, ready with his answers:
Tony Hadley. Madonna. Maggie Wheeler. Ellen DeGeneres. Jim Carrey. George Clooney. David Bowie. Belinda Carlisle. Julie Andrews. Lionel Richie. Stevie Wonder. Meryl Streep. Michael Buble. Rebecca Lim.
Muhammad Shalehan
(Credit: Muhammad Shalehan/Facebook)
They told him he got one name wrong and Shalehan thought that was that – until two weeks later when a caller named Jerome Tan gave the exact same answer and was declared the winner.
When Facebook users pointed out that Salehan had the right answer much earlier, the station replied saying that the rules require callers to pronounce the celebrities name accurately and “in the case of Shalehan, he mispronounced Tony Hadley.”
Shocked by the reason, Salehan e-mailed the radio station, but they stood their ground.
So he e-mailed Tony Hadley for back up – who replied back with a video supporting Salehan’s pronunciation!
There’s a slight accent, but as far as I’m concerned, you said my name correctly. So you should be entitled to whatever the prize was.
Tony Hadley.
The station still held firm, releasing a video comparing the pronunciation of “Tony Hadley” from Tony Hadley, Salehan and the official winner Jerome.
This time, though, the station softened a little and said that they’ll be giving Salehan a token of appreciation for his “exceptional commitment to the contest and loyal support”.
Netizens, however, were unimpressed.
After weeks of backlash, international articles and a celebrity endorsement, Gold 905 conceded and finally announced today (22nd may) that Salehan will receive the full prize of SG$10,000 cash and shopping spree.
To which Salehan responded on his Facebook with “ALHAMDULILLAH..SYUKUR!!”, suggesting that the money will used by him and his wife for charity work.
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