Nicolette Louisa "Nikki" Palikat (born 1 November 1985) is a
Malaysian American singer from
Tambunan, Sabah, and a finalist in the first season of
Malaysian Idol. She is known for her
vocal belting
Belting (or vocal belting) is a specific technique of singing by which a singer carries their chest voice above their break or passaggio with a proportion of head voice. Belting is sometimes described as "high chest voice" or "mixed voice" (not to ...
and her ability to sing in the
whistle register.
Career
While a university student, she successfully auditioned for Malaysian Idol in
Kuching
Kuching (), officially the City of Kuching, is the capital and the most populous city in the States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Sarawak in Malaysia. It is also the capital of Kuching Division. The city is on the Sarawak River ...
, Sarawak, impressing the judges with her rendition of
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey (; born March 27, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. Referred to as the " Songbird Supreme", she is noted for her five-octave vocal range, melismatic singing style and signature use of the whi ...
's
Emotions. She eventually progressed through to the 'Final 12' of the competition. After six weeks, Nikki was voted out on 12 September 2004 to some controversy, as she had been seen as a favourite to win by Malaysian Idol judge,
Paul Moss.
The following lists Nikki's ''Malaysian Idol'' performances:
* Audition – Emotions – (Mariah Carey)
* Workshop –
One Moment in Time – (
Whitney Houston)
* Wildcard –
The Voice Within – (
Christina Aguilera)
* Top 12 –
Crazy in Love – (
Beyoncé
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Beyoncé's boundary-pushing artistry and vocals have made her the most influential female musician of the 21st century, according to ...
)
* Top 10 –
I Want You Back – (
The Jackson 5)
* Top 8 –
Against All Odds – (
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles Collins (born 30 January 1951) is an English singer, musician, songwriter, record producer and actor. He was the drummer and lead singer of the rock band Genesis and also has a career as a solo performer. Between 1982 and ...
)
* Top 7 –
I'm with You – (
Avril Lavigne
Avril Ramona Lavigne ( ; born September 27, 1984) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. At age 16, she signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records. Her debut studio album, ''Let Go (Avril Lavigne album), Let Go'' (2002), is the ...
)
* Top 6 –
Emotion – (
Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child was an American girl group whose final line-up comprised Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. The group began their musical career as Girl's Tyme, formed in 1990 in Houston, Texas. After years of limited ...
)
Originally planning to continue with her studies after her exit from the competition, Nikki secured a recording contract with Artistes United Records and released her debut album, ''Maharani'', in Malaysia on 28 November 2005. The title means 'Empress' in Malay. This album showcases Nikki's abilities in the whistle register, with one critic mentioning it as "whistling a la Mariah Carey." The ballad 'Pinta' marked Nikki's official debut in the music industry.
Nikki's second single, Caramu, won Nikki and collaborating artist,
Zahid, an award for best vocal duo at Anugerah
Era 2006, a Malaysian music awards ceremony.
Following Caramu, Nikki teamed up with fellow Malaysian singer,
Yanie, and both featured in
Ning Baizura's August single release, Drama.
On 28 December 2008, Nikki released her second album, ''Hawa'' featuring the singles "Relakan" and "Selamat Tinggal".
Personal life
Palikat married Malaysian music composer and producer Audi Mok in June 2009. They have one son. In 2022, she revealed that she and Mok had split back in March 2021.
Palikat is Catholic.
Discography
Albums
* ''Maharani'' (2005)
* ''Hawa'' (2008)
Singles
* ''Caramu''
* ''Imaginasi''
* ''Drama''
* ''Relakan''
* ''Selamat Tinggal''
* ''Cantik''
* ''Belas-Mu''
* ''Hawa''
* ''Sudah''
Filmography
Television series
References
External links
Nikki Palikat Official Webpage/Blog*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Palikat, Nikki
1985 births
People from Sabah
Kadazan-Dusun people
Living people
Malaysian women pop singers
People from Berrien Springs, Michigan
Malay-language singers
Malaysian Idol participants
21st-century Malaysian women singers
Malaysian Roman Catholics