Early Life

1990-1999: Early Childhood and Education

Shila was born on 13 August 1990 at Shambi Clinic, Jalan Medan Tunku, Kuala Lumpur and she is the eldest of four siblings. Her father, Amir Amzah Salleh, was a famous singing artist in the 80s and Fauziah Sarman, an actress. She comes from a musically inclined family, her younger sister, Nur Syuhada whose stage name is Syada Amzah is also a singer. Shila attended SMK Setapak Indah, Kuala Lumpur.

 

 

2000-2007: Career Expansion

Shila Amzah admitted that she was unable to deal with the camera when she started in the entertainment industry. She had a low level of confidence when facing the camera and did not know how to use it to engage with the audience.
Before Shila Amzah made her debut appearance as a child, her father struggled to get her a chance to showcase her singing. At that time, there were no recording companies that wanted to sign children as recording artists as they did not want to take the risk. So, her father used his own pocket money to produce the first album for Shila. In 2000, Shila's debut album, Terima Kasih Guruku was launched in the presence of Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah - wife of Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Then her talent was slowly recognized by record company, EMI, which Shila eventually signed a contract with. With EMI, she produced the album Sha-Hila with the hit song Yang Teristimewa. After her contract with EMI ended, she joined the "One In A Million" a Malaysian reality singing competition, and ended up as the first runner up.