Only a half hour left to vote!

Its 9.30pm....you've got half an hour left to vote!

Quick quick, keep those fingers busy!

If you're out of credit or your fingers are all cramped out - check out my tweets/twitpics behind-the-scenes at the show. :)

Plus, check out Judge Ryry's critique of tonight's show here. In case you've forgotten, Ryan was our resident 'diva' here at Idol. He didn't make it through the Piano Show rounds, but is fondly remembered by the Idol family.

Just for fun, I asked him to play 'Judge' for me during the show so you all will have something to read and talk about while I'm at the show. :) Go check out his tumblr page for his critiques.

OMG...we are less than an hour away from knowing who's gonna be going home. sob!

xoxo, s.

VOTE VOTE VOTE Spectacular 3

Singapore Idol is BOOMZ :)

Love this trailer...watch!

Awesome trailer right? LOL!

Well, it's 8pm people...

Y'all know what THAT means - yes its time to whip out those phones and start voting like crazy. Alternatively, sit back and enjoy the Asian Feast that's about to unfold ....AND THEN VOTE LIKE CRAZY at 930! (I normally do the latter:), cos I feel the need to make an 'informed' vote based on their performances - makes sense right?)

Voting numbers are on the left sidebar. Do refer to the post just before this one for big prints (and video references to their songs) if you can't see the small print.

I'm already at the studio, so keep yourselves updated with whats goin' on backstage via my tweets/twitpics!

Plus, ex-contestant Ryan Santoso-Lee will be playing 'judge' tonight (for fun!) and will be updating his Tumblr account live from the studio. Check out Judge Ryry's critiques here as the Asian night unfolds.

xoxo, s.

The Original Asians

Don't know those Asian songs?

Not to worry, I've done the homework for you....here you go, videos of the original artistes singing the songs the Idols are singing tonight (some are original videos, some are recordings of the original artistes' live performances).

PLUS the very very important voting numbers for tonight.

You have about 3 hours (from the time of this post) to skim through these songs and get into the 'Asian' mood (and memorise those numbers to call) - now get get get going!

Sylvia Ratonel

1900 112 1201 or sms '1' to IDOLS (43657)

Sinaran by Sheila Majid (malay)

Upbeat and fast-paced, not an easy song,but a great tune to start the night off with a bang if Sylvia pulls it off right :) Will she still be Ken's favourite tonight? And more importantly - will she keep her bangs down?

Duane Ho

1900 112 1202 or sms '2' to IDOLS (43657)

Dang Ni by Cyndi Wang (mandarin)

At vocal training, Duane needed a little help with his Mandarin diction. A friend's post on facebook seemed to indicate Duane doesn't sing Mandarin songs much - we'll see how he does tonight :)

Malaque Mahdaly

1900 112 1203 or sms '3' to IDOLS (43657)

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai from the soundtrack of Hindi movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai by Udit Narayan and Allka Yagnik (Shah Rukh Han)(hindi)

Way before even that 'remark-that-shall-not-be-revisited' by Uncle Ken, Malaque has always been a big fan of all things Bollywood (see her Asian week interview), and this song is so recogniseable - I'm just excited to see how Malaque will bring it - am expecting her to shine tonight!

Fathin Amira

1900 112 1204 or sms '4' to IDOLS (43657)

Bakit Pa by Jessa Zaragoza (tagalog)

Amira told me yesterday that she wanted to a Filipino song, this song especially, because she wanted to dedicate it to the victims and survivors of the typhoon that recently hit the Philippines. Aw, what a big heart on that small chillipadi!

Sezairi Sezali

1900 112 1205 or sms '5' to IDOLS (43657)

Jeritan Batinku by P. Ramlee (malay)

Airi told me he's always wanted to do this song. And he hopes he can do it justice, because only the best have attemped to sing it. He's sans guitar tonight - not sure if that's wise. Tough song, but if he pulls it off - it will be wow. Am wondering how the judges will react, considering they may not be familiar with P Ramlee's work.

Mae Sta Maria

1900 112 1206 or sms '6' to IDOLS (43657)

Nobody by The Wondergirls (korean)

I tried so very hard not to like this song, just because it was so irritatingly popular....I swear, one day it was actually on almost every alternate post on my facebook wall. But its just so addictive, and even my 4 yr old sings it now, I've grown to love it! Can't wait to see Mae do this one - she says she's added 'moves'!

Faizal Isa

1900 112 1207 or sms '7' to IDOLS (43657)

Hapus Ku by Nidji (malay)

I think Faizal is one to watch now. Week on week I feel he's improved and grown more confident, reminiscent of a certain idol before him.

Tabitha Nauser

1900 112 1208 or sms '8' to IDOLS (43657)

Ting Hai by A*Mei (mandarin)

With Tabby's power vocals, I'm pretty sure this song will be no sweat off her nose. I'm keen to see if she can present the emotions that this song needs for it to be a true winner.

Farhan Shah

1900 112 1209 or sms '9' to IDOLS (43657)

Teman Istimewa by Taufik Batisah (malay)

Unbeknowst to many, this song is a real challenge to sing - its fast paces and its arrangement calls for you to be pitch perfect all the time - which means you gotta breathe right. So if Farhan pulls it off - he deserves major props. I worry what Uncle Ken will say if he doesn't get it right (he IS after all, Taufik's boss).

Charles 'Stitch' Wong

1900 112 1210 or sms '10' to IDOLS (43657)

An Jing by Jay Chou (mandarin)

Am just waiting to see Charles at the piano killin' this song! Its gonna be awesome from what I saw at rehearsals. I just hope he remembers to open his eyes more and look at the camera so you too can 'feel' his er..feelings (LOL! ran out of words to use!)

Nurul Huda

1900 112 1211 or sms '11' to IDOLS (43657)

Made In India by Alisha (hindi?)

Only on Idol's Asian Week will you see a Hindi song close the show. Isn't that great? I feel so 'One Singapore' thinking about it. I love this theme - good luck Nunu (Nunu also loves Bollywood stuff like Malaque, so this should be right up her alley - wonder if she got those ankle bells she said she wanted to wear :))

Phew! I spent almost 2 hours on youtube searching, watching and listening to these vids and I must say it was throughly enjoyable. The songs that I weren't familiar with were a treat to watch, now I can't wait to see how the Idols will perform them. And the songs I am familiar with transported me back to the time when I knew them well. Awesome stuff :)

Ok, so now you know the songs, and you know the voting numbers, you're all set for Spectacular 3 at 8pm! Remember to vote for those you feel are deserving :)

xoxo, s.

Wanna Be An Idol? Clear your schedule...

Can you handle Idol 24/7?

Does Idol Land look super glamourous and cotton candy wonderful from where you're standing? Rubbing shoulders with celebs, free VIP passes to concerts, Gala movie premieres and adoring fans - where got stress? Perform only once a week what, other days can play right?

Wrong.

Every season, people sign up for Idol thinking they can wing it, it should be ok, just concentrate on the competition, maybe a few meetings here and there with producers or sponsors etc, one show a week, plenty of time to practice etc.

Little do they realise what the Idol schedule entails.

Because of the nature of the show (its a reality programme and elimination happens on a weekly basis) every day is packed to the brim with production commitments, rehearsals, promos and so on.

Here's a glimpse at what a typical Idol week looks like...

Saturday

10am–7pm: Vocal training for next week's Spectacular

7pm-9pm: Choreography for President's Star Charity (or whatever show/event they are appearing at, last week it was the MediaCorp Trade Show)

(thats the whole day gone by the way :))

Sunday

1pm: Report at Make Up unit for makeup for Roadshow

4pm-5pm: Roadshow @ Mall

7pm-9pm: Choreography for President's Star Charity

Monday

9am-9.30am: 987 radio interview – Report at reception sofa @8.45am

12pm–3pm: Imaging for this Wednesday's Spectacular & MTV shoot

6pm onwards: Choreography for this Wed's Spectacular

Tuesday

9am-9.30am: 987 radio interview – Report at reception sofa @8.45am

3pm-6pm Fitting for shoes and accessories for MTV

6.30pm onwards: Keycheck for NEXT week's Spectacular (eventhough you may not be coming back next week, you still gotta prepare.)

Wednesday (IDOL DAY)

9am-9.30am: 987 radio interview – Report at reception sofa @8.45am

For those not involved in the radio interview:

8.45am: report at wardrobe to collect clothes for tonight

9.30am: report at TV theatre for briefing/meeting with producers, followed by rehearsals, blocking etc.

8.00pm: LIVE Show

9.30pm: LIVE Link to News5Tonight

10.00pm: LIVE Results

10.30pm: Post show interviews

Thursday

12noon–6pm: Profile shoot for NEXT week's Spectacular

7pm onwards: Vocal dub for Sponsor's Music Video

Friday

Whole Day (7am-7pm): Sponsor's Music Video shoot

9pm to 10pm: Presiden's Star Charity (PSC) camera rehearsal

Saturday

8.30am–3pm: Vocal training for Next week's Spectacular

5pm-6pm: Roadshow @ Mall (Report at makeup at 2pm)

7pm-9pm: PSC Full Dress rehearsal

Phew! Busy right?

It may seem like the week's filled mostly because of the commitments for PSC, and should be better the following week, but it usually never is :P.

When there isn't PSC to worry about, there are other events like Trade Shows, Gala Premieres, Media Interviews (magazines, newspapers, web publications, other radio stations), publicity shoots (trailer shoots, photoshoots) etc etc etceterah!

And no matter how tired you are, at the end of the day when you finally get home, you've got to practice and do research for the following week's theme because you have to submit song options for the following theme's key check....(you know, just in case more than 1 person wants to sing a certain song, you should always have a back up song choice).

Its also every Idol hopeful's responsibility to be totally contactable. Schedules are constantly changing because they are always 'in demand'. So no matter how tired you are, you still have to check your email and make sure you turn up when required. Aside from email, in this era of Facebook and Twitter, they have to keep their fanpages updated (and interesting!) too.

So you wanna be an Idol? Make sure you're prepared to handle the hectic schedule first. The schedule at Piano Show stage was easy peasy compared to what they go through at Spectaculars, but hey, thats the nature of the show, the stakes get higher as the show progresses.

Saying all that, I'm pleased to report that the current Idols are keeping up with the pace quite well, good job guys! (They haven't chewed my head off yet when I ask to interview them in between shoe trying and vocal key checks bla di bla. :) So they must still be pretty sane!)

To my beloved LODIs, I know some of you may already be tired and losing steam, don't give up ok? Keep at it, find your stride and always give it to your 150%. Its just the 3rd Spectacular, you have another 6 more to go before the grand finals.

In the words of Sheryl Crow, "No one said it would be easy...."... Ganbatte!

xoxo, s.

Its Asian Week!

Proud To Be Asian :)

Its Asian Week folks and the Idols are tra-la-la-ing it in various Asian languages this week. We've got songs from Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, Philippines, India, Taiwan and of course, Singapore.

I asked each Idol 8 'Asian' questions and their profiles have been updated with their answers, check them out if you haven't already seen them (quick links are on the right side bar).

My favourite question was the 'superstition' one, and surprisingly (or maybe not), many remembered the old wives' warning that if you don't clear your plate of food, you'll end up with an ugly (and some say pimply) spouse! :) *Yes, we all know its a ploy to get kids to finish their food, but its one of those 'sayings' that you've heard so many times your subconscious makes you clean your plate to this day, 'just in case'!*

Two names kept popping up : 'Taufik Batisah' and 'Rain'. The former because he inspires Singaporeans and the latter because he's just so hawt - in Tabby's words : "Those abs gasp! 'nuff said!"

This week, I'm looking forward to see how everyone's gonna bring it in another language, especially those singing in a language they don't even speak - coincidentally, its all the girls!

Amira's singing in Tagalog, Mae's singing in Korean, Malaque and Nurul will be singing in Hindi. Sylvia is singing in Malay (she took Mandarin in school) and Tabitha's singing in Mandarin (she may have taken it at school, but she hasn't been using it for a while now).

The boys are sticking to the second language they know best - look out for Charles' 'An Jing' - its quite a moving rendition and he's playing the piano (betcha din know he could hey?) and Faizal's 'Hapus Ku' <-- chills!

Oh, and yes, I'd like to hear Farhan's take on Taufik's 'Teman Istimewa' :) I'm a fan of Taufik's music and that song has topped the charts here (and in Malaysia) before. So it will be something many are looking forward to - show 'em you can do it Farhan!

Ok, off you go to check out the profiles then - links for each of the Top 11 profiles are listed on the right sidebar!

xoxo, s.

ps. Voting numbers and order of performance have not yet been determined as at press time, will update those once I get them.

UPDATE : 2 mins after I posted the above, I got email from producers with the week's votings numbers LOL! Talk about serendipity! (and no chance to eat lunch, cos I wanna get this out there!)

Anyway, here they are....will update the profiles with voting numbers later when the kiddies are asleep!

1 Sylvia Ratonel

Song : Sinaran by Sheila Majid
Call 1900 112 1201 or SMS 1 to 43657 (IDOLS)

2 Duane Ho

Song : Dang Ni by Cyndi Wang
Call 1900 112 1202 or SMS 2 to 43657 (IDOLS)

3 Malaque Mahdaly

Song : Kuch Kuch Hota Hai from the OST of the movie 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'
Call 1900 112 1203 or SMS 3 to 43657 (IDOLS)

4 Fathin Amira

Song : Bakit Pa by Jessa Zaragossa

Call 1900 112 1204 or SMS 4 to 43657 (IDOLS)

5 Sezairi Sezali

Song : Jeritan Batin Ku by P. Ramlee
Call 1900 112 1205 or SMS 5 to 43657 (IDOLS)

6 Mae Sta Maria

Song : Nobody by The Wondergirls
Call 1900 112 1206 or SMS 6 to 43657 (IDOLS)

7 Faizal Isa

Song : Hapus Aku by Nidji
Call 1900 112 1207 or SMS 7 to 43657 (IDOLS)

8 Tabitha Nauser

Song : Ting Hai by A*Mei
Call 1900 112 1208 or SMS 8 to 43657 (IDOLS)

9 Farhan Shah

Song : Teman Istimewa by Taufik Batisah
Call 1900 112 1209 or SMS 9 to 43657 (IDOLS)

10 Charles 'Stitch" Wong

Song : An Jing by Jay Chou
Call 1900 112 1210 or SMS 10 to 43657 (IDOLS)

11 Nurul Huda

Song : Made in India by Alisha
Call 1900 112 1211 or SMS 11 to 43657 (IDOLS)

Singapore Idol Top 11 : Farhan Shah

Farhan Shah, 18

20 December 1990

Single

updated : 5 Oct 09

Spectacular 3 : An Asian Feast

Performing : Teman Istimewa by Taufik Batisah

Voting details : Not available yet. Watch this space!

Asian Week Interview :

Who is your favourite Asian artiste?

Taufik Batisah.

He's inspired lots of people around Asia, not just Singapore.

Who's the sexiest Asian star in your opinion?

Taya Rogers! O.M.G. When you speak to her, you will melt. She's an Instant Melter!

Who is your favourite Asian person?

Sleeq (Singaporean R&B duo). They are close to my age yet they can produce their own music, write their own songs - its quite inspiring - that you can start small and eventually get big!

Favourite Asian food?

Maggi Goreng <-- my fave mamak food too!

Favourite Asian destination?

Bali, Indonesia. Its so tranquil there. Just stand on the beach and feel the wind from the sea - its great!

What Asian culture fascinates you the most?

Peranakan culture. They're chinese yet they speak Malay and dress like Malays. I also like that a lot of their traditions and rituals are still in practice today and not forgotten. I also like seeing the true peranakans in their full peranakan attire. :)

What Asian trait are you most proud of?

Our law-abidingness :) Whatever the law is, we will complain, but we will still follow. Perhaps we are kiasee, but because of this, there's peace and stability (for Singapore at least).

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

Cannot sit on pillows otherwise your butt gets swollen.

Swollen like how? Like something bit you? Or the does your whole bum balloon? Methinks grandma just didn't want your bum to be where you face is meant to be :)

Random facts about Farhan :

• Is one half of the Broom & Mop Show (Judge Ken said he had broom stick hair - wth does that mean?)
• Ken also suggested he start a boyband with Faizal. That will definitely help pool all the female fans who have been voting for them like crazy.
• Has an insane love for prawns. No, make that obsession. I suggested he go watch District 9, the movie where humans and alien prawns live in harmony.
• He has been nicknamed FarHair due to his er, generous and often bouffant coiffure.

summerr thinks you'll love Farhan because :

He's a simple guy who like to sing. He's also a nice polite young man, although a little blonde around the ears. Ok, who am I kidding, he can be seriously blonde sometimes, but its endearing once you get to know him.

He received a lot of flak for getting into the Top 13 over some of the other more powerhouse singers like Jannah, but hey, Idol is also about garnering the support of the people who are willing to buy your album later on.

Here's the vid Izked recorded the night Farhan got voted in by the public into the Top 13.

Here's the vid I recorded last week, where Farhan gives us a sample of Bad Day.

Its a pity that no one loaded up Farhan's piano show performance. Its Ep 5 if you've lost count, so you can go check out the full ep, and fast forward yourself to Farhan's song. Click here for the post on Ep 5.

Can't get enough of the Farhair? Check out his top24 profile here.

Find Farhan online :

Farhan's facebook fanpage

Farhan's YouTube channel

Follow Farhan on Twitter

xoxo, s.