Breaking News! MJ pulls out of Idol!

Resident Idol hottie MJ Kuok has decided to pull out of Idol :(

Sigh. I've been keeping this to myself since Saturday. And so have the other Top 12 Idol contestants and everyone in the know on the Idol production.

MJ did not turn up for the trailer/photoshoot over the weekend (notice he's not in the group picture that was MMS-ed to me?), and everyone was abuzz with why.

The official reason released by his camp is that "MJ has pulled out due to personal matters, and to please respect his privacy." As of now, according to Official Blogger Iz, he's on a plane to HK to see his grandfather and cousins. :(

It must have been a really tough decision to make, especially at this stage when he's already invested so much in the competition.

MJ is one of the most hardworking and humble contestants on the show. He has never complained about the long hours or the waiting (of which there is plenty) in between shoots, keychecks, vocal training etc.

His only gripe, and this was only a small one, was about the 'character' he was assigned to play for the recent shoot - he was slated to play Elvis when he would really rather have played Justin(Timberlake, not Jap). But the sweetheart that he is, he went along with it at the 2am fittings anyway. (Don't tell me he pulled out cos he had to be Elvis! <--siao! no way! he's much too easygoing to be that picky!)

I, personally, will miss MJ. To me, he's one of the most genuine contestants. You know he's really listening when you speak. He's also the one Idol who'd come up to you and ask you how your day has been or how your weekend was. That says a lot about him as a person - he's caring. He's also the most polite (Teddy too), and that says a lot about his upbringing - his Mom musta done a good job raising him.

(Alamak, I look so groupie, which is why I normally don't take fanpics or post pics of myself, but anyway, just felt like it just this once.)

I started to hear rumblings a few days earlier that all may not be well. Friday morning, those rumblings got louder, and I hoped and hoped that it would not come to pass.

But by evening time, MJ's Idol journey was over.

That same evening, an announcement was made to let the other contestants know, and cameras were there to record every shocked face.

This shocking piece of news was to be embargoed until today and 8days got the scoop - it is reported in the issue thats on stands this morning. The proper announcement will be done at the Media Conference happening shortly at 2pm.

The remaining Top 12 were asked to keep this top secret and not to contact MJ to respect his decision and his privacy and let the issue settle down.

2 Idols were very affected by his departure. Sezairi, his pendejo bro, and Mae. Sezairi especially had already received a big blow when Teddy and Jon left the competition. The four of them had formed a little clique and called themselves the 'Pendejos'. Google that to find out what it means.

Friday night, Sezairi cried. He's the only pendejo left standing. *sob*

The other person extremely affected by MJ's leaving, was Official Blogger Izk. I noticed Iz wasn't his usual bubbly self most of Saturday.

Since they weren't allowed to contact him, I decided to record some vids for them so he'd get to see them. Here are the vids I recorded with Airi, Iz and Mae, its their message to MJ, so MJ dear, I hope you get to see this wherever you are. We miss you so very much and wish wish wish you were still in Idol.

After producers announced that MJ was pulling out, Idol contestants were probably thinking "So is this gonna be a Top12 or is someone comin' in to take MJ's place?"

In walked the answer : Nurul.

MJ was voted in by the public, so I supposed it was only right that his place go to the person with the next highest public votes. And that lucky person is Nurul.

I have heard from more than one person, that when Nurul walked in, although some yelped in joy that their friend was now in the Top 13, a few were visibly less than keen - Nurul represents a new threat to the throne, especially to the girls, with her husky vocals and groovy moves. (Let the claws come out! meowrr!)

What's Nurul's take? She's just happy to be given another chance. Apparently producers broke the news to her in the most dramatic fashion ever - hope we see this on tv - and almost gave her a heart attack whilst doing it. However, she does feel like she's not wanted by some people in the competition. Lets see if this feeling goes away or gets worse. My money is on the latter. Will check back with her soon.

I asked her how she felt about the whole MJ leaving, here's her vid.

Lastly, I also decided to grab ask Tabby if she'd like to send him a message, she was his duet partner. Their song was such a hit with Flo, she's waiting to put it on radio once Tabby & MJ pass her a proper recording of it. Here's Tabby's vid.

On Saturday, I was one of those who received a touching mass message from MJ (sent out to the Idols, me and Iz) that made me tear, here's an excerpt :

"I have (met) amazing people like you and I hope that we can keep in touch :) Give me a call anytime and know that I'll be supporting you and your dreams always, just like u've been supporting mine x MJ."

That's just classic MJ. Polite, considerate and sincere.

We love you MJ, don't ever ever leave the music industry - you are so talented, you've got a bright future in this ahead of you. We'll definitely keep in touch cuz, and I wish you well in all your future endeavours. You will always always be part of the Idol family wherever you are. Muaks!

xoxo, s.