Idol out : Nurul Huda

Its the end of Nurul's Idol journey.

Tonight, Nurul gave us a very sincere and heartfelt performance of Michael's classic 'Ben'. Dedicating it to her younger sister, she sounded like she meant every word.

Tonight's Tribute to Michael Jackson was highly anticipated. The audience were super pumped - Iz and I were practically shouting at each other while trying to hold a conversation. We were sat in the audience tonight and boy, the atmosphere was awesome! Good job fans!

Just a foot away from me were Tabby's fans and they were absolutely crazy screamers - I got this pic off Facebook, courtesy of 'May Tan', thanks May! I am a little deaf right now.

Anyway, I digress, back to Nurul.... it was really sad to see her go. I felt she had one of the best vocals in the competition. It was unique and I loved her husky tone. Granted her diction wasn't spot on (as Dick had pointed out), but that could have been groomed (or is being groomed) along the way. Maybe the last two weeks' worth of less than spectacular performances gnawed at her votes. Either that or her fans just got complacent.

When Gurmit announced that the 3 idols on the stools (Mae, Airi and Sylvia) were safe, and the 3 standing with him were the ones who were 'unsafe', my heart did a flip-flop. I was relieved that 3 really good singers were safe, but at the same time, I didn't want Charles, Nurul or Malaque to go home.

Mae, Malaque, Airi and Sylvia broke into tears when Gurmit announced Nurul's name. They were all 'crying like little girls' in Airi's words. Especially Malaque who couldn't be consoled - see pic of Justin trying to console her - so poor thing, she was really crying her eyes out :(

Anyway, here's Nurul's exit interview with Idol TV host Jonathan Cheok.

Its uncanny how Jon spotted the fact that Nurul was the 13th person to join the Top 13 because she came in to replace MJ Kuok. And now, on 'MJ' week, she's the one to go. Twilight Zone much?

Here's her full exit song - you know how it always gets chopped off on tv cos the credits finish running. So I'm now making it a habit to record the full song - as a tribute to the ousted Idol and also for their fans. (Nurul decides to go out on a happier note and sang 'Oops I Did It Again'. Thank gawd she didn't sing 'Ben' as her exit song or she would have had us all bawling.)

Whatever it is Nunu, we love ya! Nurul fans, don't forget to catch her on Project Hope, this coming Monday, 19th October, LIVE on Channel 5 (and simulcast on some other channels too) at 8pm. We'll also be seeing Nurul at the Idol finale on 27 December at the Indoor Stadium, and again on the Channel 5 Countdown Show on New Year's Eve, so don't worry, we've not seen the last of her yet :)

Oh and yes, don't forget to catch Nurul's radio interview tomorrow on 987FM with Dan & Young at 9am.

xoxo, s.

ps. I heard Flo (as in Judge Flo) wanted to 'talk' to her - maybe she wants her to record something for radio? Woot!

Singapore Idol Top 10 : Nurul Huda

Nurul Huda, 21

5 November 1987

Single

updated : 10 Oct 09

Spectacular 4 : A Tribute To Michael Jackson

Performing : Ben

Fave MJ Song : Earth Song

Voting details : Not available yet. Watch this space!

MJ Week Interview :

If you had 1 minute with MJ, what would you say/do?

I would just look him in the eyes and stare at him. Yes, stare at him for a whole minute, cos I can't do anything else its so unbelievable that he's there.

If you had 1 hour with him, what would you do?
Have a deep conversation with him. Ask him about his career, his transformation from child star to adult star, his life, how he copes with everything. I'd also ask him for advice and tips.

If you had 1 day with him, what would you do?
We'll go out makan! I heard he likes KFC, so we'll go eat that - that's cool. Just spend the day together, walking around, stroll along Malibu beach and town and just talk.

Did you believe the child molestation allegations?
No, not at all. It's just people trying to bring him down. Things like this always happens to good people.

When you first heard that there would be an MJ themed spectacular, what was your reaction? And now that you’re through and will be doing an MJ song, how do you feel?
First reaction : Happy. Its a privilege to sing Michael Jackson songs. And right now, people are thinking about him because he has just passed away, so its timely for us to be doing this. It gives us a chance to project our condolences.

Now : I'm very excited! It will be my first time singing a slow song in this competition.

What will you be singing and why did you choose to do that MJ song?

I will be singing Ben. Eventhough I had said Earth Song is my favourite song, but its not really a competition song. I chose Ben because I really don't want to lose my personality, I feel I can relate to Ben. Its a cute song, and I'm kinda cute. It's about a pet rat, and eventhough I'm grown up, I still have a tamagotchi, so its like I also have a pet. I'm confident I can do this song well, I think I can pull it off.

Spectacular 3 : An Asian Feast

Performing : Made In India by Alisha

Voting details : Not available yet. Watch this space!

Asian Week Interview :

Who is your favourite Asian artiste?

Ramli Sarip! I love his husky voice, its like we have something similar!

Who's the sexiest Asian star in your opinion?

Rini from Indonesian Idol!

Who is your favourite Asian person?

Zubir Said. He wrote the National anthem! :)

Favourite Asian food?

Nasi Lemak <--- woot!

Favourite Asian destination?

Mt Fuji, Japan. Since I was a little girl I've always wanted to go to Japan.

What Asian culture fascinates you the most?

Indian culture, especially Holi which is a day where they celebrate colour. Basically you dress up in white and get coloured when people throw paint and other colourings at you. By the end of the day, you should be covered in various colours.

What Asian trait are you most proud of?

Our nice hair, beautiful eyes and beautiful skin tone.

What is the one Asian superstition you've held on to since you were a child?

Cannot walk under people's laundry, its bad luck!

And always say a prayer before going to the loo!

Random facts about Nurul :

• She only really started singing 2 years ago when a friend suggested she enter a 'Rihanna' sing-alike contest and won (and got to meet Rihanna in person! Woot!)
• Has a keen fashion sense and always manages to wear funky outfits.
• Is a huge Taufik Batisah fan.
• Loves crackin' jokes.

summerr thinks you'll love Nurul because :

She has husky vocals that turns each songs he sings into a sexy song! Plus she's really good at changing up the arrangement to make the song her own, case in point, tonight's performance of this Brit Brit song will be different enough to give it an edge.

As a last minute replacement for MJ Kuok (he has withdrawn from the competition), Nurul had a lot of catching up to do at key checks, wardrobe, vocal training, shoot preparation and special choreo for the trailer shoots! Phew! Lucky Nurul is a fast learner :)

Here's the vid that Izked recorded after the Top 13 announcement was made that MJ had left.

Here's the vid I shot of herlast week during key check...

And last but least, check out Nurul's Piano Show performance and her Idol journey thus far.

Want more Nurul? Check out her Top24 Profile here for more Nurul...

Find Nurul Online :

Nurul's facebook fanpage

xoxo, s.

Congratulations Nurul, welcome to Singapore Idol's Top 13.

In the wake of MJ's departure, the 13th spot is now filled by Nurul Huda.

Remember folks, there is no Idol show this Wednesday, the show returns NEXT WEDNESDAY (23 Sept), 8pm, with the very first Spectacular episode (theme is Chart Toppers).

Is Nurul a good replacement for MJ? Who would you have rather seen in that spot?

summerr's take :

Aiya, to be honest, I would have been happy with Nurul, Jannah or Teddy taking that spot. From what I hear, Nurul had the most public votes after MJ, so she's the natural replacement, since MJ was also voted in by the public. I wonder what would have happened had it been a judges' choice that decided to pull out - who would the Judges put in?

*am also assuming you have to replace like for like, so only chose from Piano Show 1. If Piano Show 2 were to be included, I'd add in Gabby and Jon.

xoxo, s.

Piano Show : Group 1 Glamour Trailer & Voting Interstitials!

Lovin' the new Top 24 trailer - everyone looks so good!

GAME ON IDOLS!

Here are the voting details! Pencil/paper...JOT THEM DOWN!

Lines open only at 8pm on 2nd September, when the show starts!

Hope all the telcos are ready for the INFLUX of calls/smses!!

xoxo, s.

Singapore Idol Top 24 : Nurul Huda

In The Shower with :

Nurul Huda

(nickname : Ebony)

Nurul and Syltra are the only two that gave me a short 3-word sentence when I asked them to describe themselves in 3 words. Everyone else gave 3 separate words. Nurul said "Happy Go Lucky!" and she is! She's also SUCH a ham for the camera!

And doesn't Nurul look like an Asian version of Reese Witherspoon? The resemblance is uncanny minus the blonde hair and blue eyes!

Quick facts about Nurul :

Lives in : East

Occupation : Sales Assistant

Favourite MJ song : Earth Song

Favourite Judge : Ken

Single/Attached? : Single

Who does she think will win Idol 3? Theodore.

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

My second greatest love is watching tv (yes! a girl after my own heart! Woot!), especially football matches or even wrestling (oh, so NOT on my team anymore...LOL!). I always watch tv till the tv watches me,.... sleep that is hehehe.... tsk tsk tsk bad habit I know.

Secret Single Behaviour : What do you do on your own that no one knows about?

My one and only small smelly bolster a.k.a "hen-tay". Nothing can replace it. I cant sleep without it simply because of its smell. (I hope it goes for a 'bath' every now and then...)
Let me tell u a short story...there's this night when I slept without washing my face cuddling around with "hen-tay" and I slowly dozed off to dreamland.
Next morning, the first thing I saw was that....she GOT A PAIR OF EYES!!! Thanks to my mascara-LAH. (Hen-tay is a she??!)

summerr's take :

Nurul has got husky powerhouse vocals reminiscent of Nana from Season 1. She's a little chilli padi and she's a natural performer. Nurul was the only one who got props from Zaki at the Choreo workshop during Bootcamp.

Nurul not only sings and dances well, Producers who've heard her upcoming take on Rihanna's "Rehab" tell me that its totally unexpected and very unique. So I'm really looking forward to it.

My only hope for Nurul is that her diction improves as she progresses in the competition, I'm assuming she will because she is just so talented. And so nice, you can't help but love her!

Make a date with Nurul!

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

Catch Nurul 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.

Tuesday, 1 Sept : Caldecott Hill, 9am - 930am, 987FM

Tune in to 987FM at 9am to catch Nurul's first radio interview, along with Malaque, Farhan and Ryan.

Wednesday, 2 Sept : Caldecott Broadcast Centre, Studio 1

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

Nurul will be singing Rihanna's "Rehab".

To vote for Nurul :

Call 1900 112 1208 or text 8 to IDOLS (43657)

Each call/sms costs 60cents.

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

Find Nurul online :

Nurul's facebook fanpage

xoxo, s.