Just a few hours ago, MJ posted these two wonderful videos on Youtube.
Last Saturday, I recorded some heartfelt video messages from Airi, Mae, Nurul and Tabitha especially for him. I approached them because they seemed most affected by MJ's decision to leave.
I posted those messages here on Monday morning (once the embargoed news broke) and the minute MJ saw them, he called each one personally from Hong Kong (thats where he is right now!) because he was so touched.
Now, he's done a full blown personal message to everyone in the Top 13 and the rest of his supporters. Plus he's written a new song, called 'Change', inspired by his Idol journey.
Check out this little montage/music video featuring that 'Change' - am lovin' the photos and vid clips in it MJ!
"Friendships last a lifetime. Thanks for the great memories and looking forward to many more good times with all of you x MJ"
This next vid is a personal message to the Top 13 and all his supporters. I love how he calls Syltra the Guitar Goddess - because she is indeed that.
We will continue to support your music MJ, come see us soon k, don't be a stranger!
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!
Waaay back at Theatre Auditions and bootcamp, rumours were flying that Tabby and MJ had somethin'-a-somethin' goin' on on the side. Perhaps what they have is chemistry.
This is the original song Tabby and MJ wrote for duet day during Theatres. Flo was so impressed she wanted to put it on radio immediately. (Must ask her tonight when that's gonna happen.)
Are you lovin' this? I totally am.
I saw this vid quite a while back, and have been meaning to post it here. No better time than the present to remind us why these two are in the Top 12, and why this season of Idol really does have talent.
Remember people. Original song wei. Written overnight! :)
The Results Show was such a roller coaster ride. Thanks mostly to Gurmit who kept everyone in suspense at every point. "We'll find out....right after the break!"<-- oldest trick in the book but we, the audience, can't do anything about it right??
Everyone was emotionally spent right after. Amidst goodbye hugs, tears and promises to keep in touch, I managed to track down Uncle Ken (ok, more like I tailed him til I got a semblance of a quote).
All night our beloved Uncle Ken spouted what seemed to me to be some pretty cryptic comments at practically everyone.(I can't quote verbatim right now, I gotta watch the show back! I too excited Twitpiccing all the way to write his comments down, but I do remember thinking, gotta file his comments under 'Things that make you go hmmm?').
When I finally caught up with him, I asked him point blank, "Why so cryptic tonight?"
To which he simply replied, "Where got?"
After a little more nudging, he said, "Whatever I say makes sense, I'm trying to teach them something and I hope they listen."
So contestants, especially those that are through to the Top12, I hope you were listening and absorbing what Uncle Ken said.
One comment I kinda remember, was him telling Syltra that she can't keep using her agression. First thought was : "She aggressive meh?"
And he mentioned somewhere that Nurul resembled a cashier at (his new favourite store) 7-Eleven. To which the quick-on-her-feet-funny-one replied she used to work at a 7-Eleven, the Thomson Rd branch! (thats comedic timing you can't buy guys!)
Anyway....
Once the goombyes were done, the newly minted Idol finalists, went straight back to work. Call time was now. Estimated end time : 4am. (I left waaaaay before midnight, thats crazy long hours to be singing! Welcome to Idol Land guys!)
Producers ushered Tabby, Syltra, Malaque, Charles, MJ and Farhan were ushered right back to work at (not haunted by now, so late even the ghosts are asleep) Training School to prep for the upcoming Spectacular #1 Show, aired live on Wed, Sept 16.
The theme is Chart Toppers(which is like a free-for-all really, but when you have such a vast genre, its very very hard to pick the right song, and we all know how important song choice is right?!)
While taking turns to go in for key check and song selection, Izked the Official Blogger recorded some 'Thank You' vids..... thank you to Iz for filming (and sharing) while I was stoning in the corner bemoaning the loss of my Lumix (which my son broke earlier in the day!)....
Farhan, Farhan, Farhair. I cannot believe Jeric actually cut off a huge chunk of his hair last Friday - its like it all grew back (and more!) in the last few days. One of the producers commented "amazing, it grows back by the minute!"
Apparently when Farhan called his Mom to tell her that he'd made it through, the first thing she said was "Must go cut hair ah!" Way to go Mom!
He was actually still qute affected by Ken's comment that he shouldn't be in the Top 12 and that the spot should have gone to either Jannah or Nurul. He's determined to prove Uncle Ken wrong.
I love how he ends his video message with 'Lets go to McDonald's for shaker fries". So random, so Farhan, so sweet :) Just goes to show the friendships forged in Idol don't end when the journey does. Awwww....
Helllooooooo.....I am so attributing the blurness and sloooowwww speech to the late hour at which this was recorded and the fact that she has been on the go since god-only-knows what time that morning.
Tabby is classic Tabby in this video, a little random, but a lot sweet - who can resist that megawatt smile? That thank you speech is Academy Awards worthy :)
Anyway, the first thing I saw when I went back to Studio 1 (after chasing after Ken) was Farhan and Tabby coming off stage together and my first thought was, "Hah, the "couple" made it through!"
I said as much to them, to which they both scoffed nervously.
Much has been said in the media about these two pairing up. Are they or aren't they? I suggest you guys keep us guessing, its just so much more fun that way. Plus, who knows, some teeth whitening company may want you to endorse their products - both of you have whiter (and nicer) teeth than Sly!
The beatboxer is through and a little shell-shocked. He kept to himself mostly while Malaque, Syltra, Tabby and Farhan chatted amongst themselves (with Iz and I).
I asked him how he was feeling, whether he was happy. And he said, if he hadn't gotten through tonight, he would have been happy too because the Idol journey has been so stressful for him so far. But now that he's through, he's super happy, but is just so aware that the stress is going to be even worse after this.
He said of his performance, "Usually once I get on stage and start singing, the (scared) feeling goes away; tonight is the first time I've had the feeling throughout the whole performance."
I asked him what he was 'scared' of and what stressed him out. His reply, "The whole enormity of Idol. The whole Idol thing la."<-- I guess with the Idol brand name comes the pressure to live up to it.
Malaque was the last one the judges put through. It was down to her and Theodore in the final minutes of the Results show which Gurmit stretched into an excruciatingly suspenseful wait.
"My knees were soft!"<-- I wanted to say MY knees were soft!
One of the promo team's photographers had a still camera pointed at her during that moment and was chanting, "I believe in you, Malaque!" (obviously a fan), while Izked's face was white with anticipation, eyes transfixed on Gurmit.
I was pretty sure the judges would put her through if she didn't get the votes, but what I did not expect was for it to be down to her and another deserving contestant (imo) Theodore.
"I still cannot believe it, I'm here!, " says Malaque who's still reeling from making it through, which you can tell from her thank you speech!
Way to go MJ! Clever boy plugged his myspace page :)
Apparently it was an extremely tearful separation for MJ and his BFF Theodore (seen here, prepping together right before the show started) after the Results were announced. An eye witness recounts that the sobbing was way more than when brothers Jon and Gabe Cheok were separated (the latter already quite teruk, I think my heart would have broken if I'da seen that....*sob*)
How'd I miss this moment? I was off chasing after the elusive Uncle Ken for that 'quote'.
MJ's off back to the US as of this morning to sort out immigration and travel stuff. We'll see you soon buddy!
Lastly, good job to the six who've made it through. You're here because you deserve to be....voters put you through because they love you, and the Judges put you through because they think you deserve it too. So don't doubt that.
Work hard and give us a great show at Spectacular #1 on September 16th!
xoxo, s.
ps. Ep5 review will be done once someone (hint!hint!) uploads it to Youtube...
pps. Check out this awesome rendition of Craig David's 7Days by Syarif (sleeq), with Ben (Muthusalam <-- LOL) on guitar. NICE ONE! Thanks Iz again for the vids! Go to the Official Blogger's blog for more vids.
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.
summerr loves her tv. in fact, she's downright passionate about it. This blog grew to be the Unofficial blog of Singapore Idol 2009. This year, its going OMG! Hope you'll enjoy the inside scoop on this year's big reality must watch!
