Sabah has long been celebrated as a powerhouse of vocal talent in Malaysia, producing some of the country’s most respected and beloved singers. From Marsha Milan Londoh and Stacy Anam to Azharina Azhar, Dabra Sia, Ayu Damit, Wani Kayrie, Bella Astillah and many more, the land beneath the wind continues to nurture exceptional voices. The latest name to join this illustrious lineage is Mary Grace Jane Penserga, better known as MaryGrace, a 25-year-old singer from Keningau who grew up in Kota Kinabalu and now calls Kuala Lumpur home.
MaryGrace recently made national headlines after winning the Malaysian edition of the reality singing competition One In A Million, becoming only the second Sabahan to clinch the prestigious title after Ayu Damit’s victory in 2008. Outperforming 11 other finalists, MaryGrace walked away with prizes worth RM1 million, including RM500,000 cash, a car and a recording contract. Her winning performances of her debut single Titik Mula and Freedom’s classic Persamaan impressed both judges and audiences, showcasing her vocal control, emotional depth and star quality.
Despite the sudden rise to fame, MaryGrace remains grounded, crediting her late father Edgar as her greatest inspiration and her mother Aisah Sarin as her strongest pillar of support. She has expressed her desire to honor her father’s legacy through music and fulfil her mother’s long-time dream of performing Umrah using part of her prize winnings. As her career accelerates, MaryGrace stands poised to further strengthen Sabah’s reputation as Malaysia’s richest breeding ground for vocal excellence.
