Held in Kuala Lumpur on 13 December 2025, the grand finale of Astro Start Quest 2025《新秀 崛起吧！》 marked the end of a months-long musical journey that brought together some of Malaysia’s most promising young vocal talents. After multiple competitive rounds and plenty of standout performances, Danson 黄得昇 emerged as the night’s biggest winner — taking home both the Championship title and the “U Mobile Star Pick Award”. A true double win.
A Night That Tested More Than Just Vocals
The finale was structured around three competitive segments, each designed to test different aspects of an artist.
The first round, “My BGM,” allowed contestants to freely choose songs that best represented their musical identity. It was a round about personal style — and also where three contestants were eliminated, leaving only the top five.
Next came “My Concert,” arguably one of the most demanding segments of the night. Contestants had just eight minutes to build their own mini concert, showcasing not only vocal strength but also storytelling, pacing, and stage control. Only three contestants advanced.
The final round, “My Generation,” focused on recent popular songs, challenging contestants to deliver music that resonated with today’s audience. It was here that Danson sealed his win with a powerful performance of “Beautiful Things.” His delivery was controlled, emotional, and layered — a performance that felt confident without trying too hard.
A Well-Deserved Win
Judges were unanimous in their praise. Mani Fok 霍汶希 highlighted Danson’s distinctive voice and noted his strong suitability for Cantonese songs and future development in Hong Kong. Other judges echoed similar sentiments, describing his finale performance as nearly flawless — from song choice to emotional honesty.
Beyond the trophy, Danson also won the “U Mobile Star Pick Award”, bringing his total prize money to RM40,000.
In his post-win remarks, Danson shared a heartfelt message, thanking Astro for giving Gen Z artists a platform to shine. He also revealed plans to use part of his winnings to release an original single — one that will document his personal growth throughout the competition.
A Star-Studded Finale
The finale itself was hosted by Hui Mei 萧慧敏 alongside Priscilla Abby 蔡恩雨, with Pei Yong joining as #TheCatalyst (崛起推手) mentor host. The judging panel featured industry heavyweights including Mani Fok 霍汶希, Jess Lee 李佳薇, Al Kuan 管启源, Nicole 赖淞凤, and Geraldine 颜慧萍.
Performance segments added extra shine to the night, with Nicholas Teo 张栋梁delivering an emotional rendition of “Dusk”《黄昏》, Jess Lee performing “Follow My Heart”《追心者》and “Suffering”《煎熬》 and Hong Kong singer Jay Fung 冯允谦 closing with “Ghibli”《吉卜力》.
Astro Star Quest 2025 didn’t just crown a winner — it spotlighted a new wave of Malaysian talent ready for bigger stages. Danson’s win felt earned, not rushed, and more importantly, it felt like the beginning of something rather than the end. For Danson, now the real journey begins.
dixonthum 