#SHOWBIZ: Aisha Retno's biggest stage challenge

BECOMING Puteri Gunung Ledang is more than another career milestone for Aisha Retno.

It is a dream come true. One that has prompted the singer-songwriter to put her music plans on hold to give the legendary princess the attention she deserves.

The 26-year-old artiste, whose real name is Sharifah Aisha Retno Sayed Sipulijam, has postponed the release of the second part of her debut studio album, 'Re.Hab', to November or December to accommodate preparations for 'Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical'.

The decision was deliberate. Rather than divide her attention between promoting new music and preparing for a demanding theatrical production, Aisha wants each project to have the space to flourish.

"I could release it now. But this year brought an unexpected surprise for me — being selected for 'Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical'. We don't want the album's marketing schedule to clash with the production. It would be difficult to focus," she explains.

"The commitment required to portray Gusti Puteri is very high, so we had to push the release to November or December. Stay tuned!"

The second instalment was originally scheduled for September.

The first part of 'Re.Hab', released in July 2025, featured five tracks: 'Tak Adil', 'Jeda', 'O.R.B.I.T', 'Lengkapilah Kita (Missing Piece)' and 'Titik Temu', a duet with Megat Fazly.

For an artiste who has steadily built a name as both a singer and composer, postponing an album is no small decision.

Yet the opportunity to step into one of Malaysia's most recognisable theatrical roles has offered Aisha a different kind of artistic education — one that extends beyond the recording studio and demands equal commitment to singing, dancing and acting.

When her casting was announced in May, Aisha expressed gratitude for the opportunity, describing it as one of her long-held ambitions finally becoming reality.

"Praise be to God! I will carry this responsibility as Gusti Puteri Raden Adjeng Retno Dumilah in 'Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical'," she wrote on social media.

[[nid:1565876]]

"Learn, learn and learn. This is one of my dreams coming true."

Her enthusiasm is accompanied by an awareness of the responsibility involved.

The character, famously portrayed by Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina in the film and original musical, carries a legacy that audiences are deeply attached to.
Aisha knows that stepping into the role means respecting that history while discovering her own interpretation. She has also been clear that there is still much for her to learn.

On social media, she invited fans and theatre enthusiasts to share constructive feedback, promising to give her best in singing, dancing and acting.

"This is a very high level of artistic education for me," she says, describing the musical as her first experience in the genre.

"The scope of the work is extensive because it combines singing, dancing, acting and entertainment all at once."

Rather than assuming her experience as a recording artiste would automatically prepare her for the stage, Aisha has chosen to approach the production with an open mind.

"Some people may think I was ready when I auditioned, but I went into it assuming I know nothing because I want to learn from more experienced theatre practitioners."

That willingness to learn has taken her beyond the rehearsal room.

Aisha travelled to Solo, Indonesia, for cultural training to deepen her understanding of the Javanese traditions associated with Gusti Puteri.

The preparation aims to give greater authenticity to her portrayal, particularly in the character's movement, mannerisms and cultural context.

The production also requires stamina and discipline. With 23 performances scheduled across the run, the physical and emotional demands are considerable.

Aisha's management team has been coordinating her commitments carefully. She has acknowledged that a clash between the competition and the theatre production would have forced her to sacrifice one commitment. With careful planning, she has continued preparing for both.

Now, as the musical approaches its opening on Saturday, another challenge has emerged: comparisons between Aisha and Mila Mohsin, who shares the title role.

The two performers bring different strengths and experiences to Gusti Puteri. Early promotional appearances have already prompted audiences to compare their singing, dancing and acting performances.

Aisha recognises that comparisons are inevitable when two women portray such an iconic character, but she hopes audiences will approach the discussion with perspective.

"In the entertainment world, wherever you are, comparisons are expected, especially for women," she says.

"Fans will compare one singer with another or one actor with another. It is an unavoidable part of the industry."

Her message, however, is simple: "I advise people to be measured in making comparisons. At the end of the day, we are both only human."

Aisha emphasises that the cast was selected for their strengths, not merely popularity.

She and her fellow performers have been working hard to bring the story to life, with each contributing a different interpretation to the production.

"I believe there is no question of who is more popular, whose dancing is more graceful or whose singing is more melodious," she adds. "Everyone chosen for 'Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical' is deserving and has their own strengths."

Produced by Enfiniti, the musical will run until Nov 15 at the Jeffrey Cheah Performing Arts Centre, Sunway Square.

Alongside Aisha and Mila, the cast includes Aqasha as Hang Tuah, Luqman Hafidz as the Sultan of Melaka and Yusuf Hashim as Gusti Adipati, while Mimi Fly and Nadia Aqilah share the role of Bayan.

For Aisha, the coming weeks represent an opportunity to stretch herself as a performer and discover what she can achieve beyond familiar musical territory. The delayed album will come in due course, but for now, her priorities are firmly set on the stage.

Her approach reflects an understanding that artistic growth sometimes requires choosing where to place one's energy.

By giving 'Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical' her full attention, Aisha hopes to honour the responsibility entrusted to her — and prove that a singer can step into a theatrical legend without losing the curiosity that makes her an artiste.