Anugerah finals 2011

TNP PHOTOS: Choo Chwee Hua

This year's Anugerah competition saw contestants having to work harder than ever to get to impress.

At last night's finals, the producers upped the ante: The three finalists – all girls, a first in the show's 10-year history – were also tested on their songwriting skills.

Judging by their performances, the trio – Norashikin Imran, 20, Erlina Maulood, 16, and Nor Rahayu Ridwan, 20 – definitely did rise to the occasion.

But amongst them, powerhouse ballader Nor Rahayu clearly stood out – enough for guest judge M Nasir to gush while appraising her performance: "You owned the stage."