Singapore Idol Top 24 : MJ Kuok

In The Shower with :
MJ Kuok

(nickname : Ben)

Quick facts about MJ :

Lives in : West

Occupation : Student, Stanford University

Favourite MJ song : Heal The World

Favourite Judge : Ken

Got a girlfriend? Nope. (I can just about hear all the girls scream YES, thank you God!)

Who does he think will win Idol 3? Sezairi.

If music is your first love, what is your second?

It would be very difficult for me to pick one second best interest because I have two loves other than music - they are Wakeboarding and Surfing.

I love both sports because when I'm out on the water, it gives me a sense of peace and serenity. I also forget about all the unimportant issues that we can get caught up in during our daily lives as the only thing I'm focused on when I'm out there is landing a trick while wakeboarding or riding that one awesome wave while surfing.

I started Wakeboarding when I was 13 years old. As my parents are both very keen skiers and my brothers both wakeboarders, getting coaching lessons were never difficult !

To me, Wakeboarding defines my determination as an individual; when I set my mind to achieving something, I will always do my best to achieve it. Whenever I'm learning or attempting a new trick, no matter how many times or how hard I fall, I pick myself up and keep going until I either injure myself or "land" the trick, hopefully it's the latter ! ( To "Land" a trick is to do it without falling.)

In this way, the sport definitely helps me put things into perspective and keeps me focused on and off the water. In my everyday life, when things get a little challenging, I remind myself that "it's just another new trick that I'm gonna try my best to land".

Surfing is a fairly new sport that I picked up one summer ago but I fell in love with it instantly. There's just such an awesome calming effect that the ocean has on me, and when I'm paddling out to catch a wave, looking around and being surrounded by nature's beauty reminds me of how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place... all your worries just start to fade away, your out there on your board living the moment, and enjoying every second of it.

Secret Single Behaviour : What do you do on your own that no one knows about?
I love sticking my hand out of the car when I drive, move it up and down against the wind and pretend that it's a plane flying through the air ! ... I always wished I could fly as a kid and I guess it shines through when I drive :)

I use song-writing as a way to express my inner most feelings and thoughts when it's sometimes difficult to tell people how you really feel about them or about certain issues/events. One example being when you really like someone but you always choke on words when you wanna tell her -- that's when you write a song to just let it out.

summerr's take :

MJ is a really sweet person once you get to know him. He may come across as a flirt or a ladies' guy (producer's were quick to point out that he's surrounded by chicks), but after talking to him, I find he's really genuine.

Vocally, he may not be as strong as some of the others, but I think he's found his niche in terms of the types of songs he can sing and sing well.

Have a look at this cover of Teddy Geiger's "Confidence". Nice one MJ. Check out his various online pages (listed at bottom of post) to listen to more of MJ, plus some of his original songs too.

Make a date with MJ!

Saturday, 29 Aug : The Cathay, 2pm -3 pm

Catch MJ in person at the first Idol roadshow where you get to meet the first group of 12 that will be performing next Wednesday at Piano Show #1.

Monday, 31 Aug : Caldecott Hill, 9am - 930am, 987FM

Tune in to 987FM at 9am to catch MJ's first radio interview, alongside Jannah, Frances and Charles.

Wednesday, 2 Sept : Caldecott Broadcast Centre, Studio 1

Singapore Idol Piano Show #1, 8pm and The Results Show later at 10pm, on Channel 5.

MJ will be singing Teddy Geiger's "These Walls".

Good luck babe!

To vote for MJ :

Call 1900 112 1203 or text 3 to IDOLS (43657)

Each call/sms costs 60cents.

Lines will only open from 8pm on 9th Sept 2009.

Find MJ online :

MJ's Facebook fanpage

MJ's YouTube channel

MJ's MySpace page

xoxo, s.