Showing posts with label SI Top 24. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SI Top 24. Show all posts

Friday, September 11, 2009

Halved Plus 1

We're into the next stage of Singapore Idol now.
But I can't help but miss the stage we were just at.

The Top 24 have been halved. And then plussed 1 with a lucky Mae Sta.




















Its been a helluva ride for the Top 24. And for 11 of them, their Idol journey ended with a resounding thud on Wednesday night. 12 of them had a bit of a heart attack when host Gurmit announced a 13th position - suddenly everyone's ears, eyes and heartbeats perked up.

That lasted all of 1 minute. Gurms announced that the 13th spot would go to Mae. Congrats to Mae. At the same time....I swear I heard 11 hopeful hearts breaking again.

Tears...
Last week, when Teddy was sent packing, MJ's heart-wrenching sobs were enough to make a grown man cry (I saw a few tearing). It was just so so sad.

I managed to give Frances and Ryan each a hug after the show, but that was about it.















I spoke to a teary, but smiley, Jannah, packing her bag, telling everyone she was ok and was just thankful she'd made it that far. Next to her, packing his bag, was Douglas. Sweet boy Dougie, disappointed with the outcome, no smiles but still courteous to the end.

Just a few feet away stood a 'stoned' Nurul. Backpack on, glasses on, all ready to go. She had to keep wiping the tears streaming down her face. She kept saying she had to go cos her friends were waiting outside, but she was waiting to walk out with someone. She also kept saying she was so sad. Teddy came to her rescue, "C'mon Nunu, lets go" and with that she and Teddy walked off arm in arm.

Fastforward a week later, Jannah was in tears once again, Nunu was quiet and Dougie was walking a tear-streaked Gabrielle out.

Sigh, don't even get me started about Gabby, it breaks my heart to see her so 'defeated'. Her BFF Justin who got into the Top13 was shocked she didn't get in, as was Mae, her soul sista.














Sylvia although elated she'd made it, was sad and shocked her BFF Samantha hadn't gotten through.

Sezairi's buddy Jonathan didn't make it, and Jon Jon was probably the most devastated of the lot. Both Mae and Izked were seen still texting/talking to him via mobile til the wee hours of the morning.

That's how close the Top24 were. They'd forged friendships, and strong bonds, and halving them, almost right down the middle in most of the friendships, was a recipe for heartache.

Now newly broken up with their BFFs, each of the Top 13 probably feel like their goin' through Idol almost 'alone'.

Well guys, the friendships you made won't be lost. Like I was telling Jon, we're all STILL connected on FB, Twitter and MSN, plus all the mobile numbers, so no one is running away from anyone.

Secondly, you're in it to win it right? Thats why you joined Idol? TO. WIN. IT. Don't lose sight of this. Keep your eye on the prize.

Thirdly, time to form new bonds and friendships. Being in the Top13 is a very unique position. Its gonna get a lot tougher from here on out. Scheduling demands at this stage are crazy (I had a peek at their sked). You'll be eating, breathing, sleeping Idol with no time for yourself. Its full-on mode from now to the finale in end December. You'll be spending so much time with each other, new bonds are sure to form. So don't dwell k? You just don't have time.

Ok, enough preachy Momma stuff. Couldn't help it. It really broke my heart watching 11 go home after getting to know all of them.

On a lighter note, can't wait to join the Top13 tomorrow for the 2nd day of their trailer/photoshoot. Look out for my tweets tomorrow, all day. Not sure if I can twitpic, but will keep you all updated!

xoxo, s.

ps. random pics taken from Jannah's fanpage.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Piano Show 1 : VOTING NUMBERS!

VOTE VOTE VOTE!

Vote your favourites through! If you don't vote and they don't get through, don't be blaming anyone but yourself!

Remember what happened to Jeassea Thyidor in Season 1? Everyone assumed she'd get in cos she was so talented, in the end, she was the first to be eliminated along with another super talented singer, Beverly Morata!

SO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITES!
Voting details as follows, click on their links in the right sidebar for their full profiles.
Each call/sms costs 60 cents, lines open at 8pm tonight!!














































































































Happy Voting Idol watchers!

And to the first group of 12, Good Luck for tonight's show, put on a great performance! Much much love to you all...muaks! see y'all later!

xoxo, s.

ps. I'll be tweeting from the radio interviews later at 9am, and again later this evening at the show! Follow my tweets and twitpics!

pps. Check out my previous post about a ghostly Idol encounter.

ppps. Check out the SI Official Facebook fanpage for TONS of pics from the roadshow etc.

IT'S IDOL DAY!!! WOOT!

VOTE VOTE VOTE Piano Show 1

Its 5pm, tx time is 8pm. Thats just 3 mere hours away.
Here are the vids and pics taken from this morning's interview at 987FM. Dan & Young are just the best. Super efficient chop chop and everyone got airtime to plug themselves!

Check out Dougie's interview....


Listen to the four of them give listeners a song sampler...niiiice....


Radio interview all done, group shot with the Dan & Young...and we're off!
Thanks Official Idol Radio Station!



















Check out my pics from today's 987FM interview and a first look at the Piano Show set at twitpic. (http://www.twitpic.com/photos/summerr77)

After the radio interviews, the four of them headed to Studio 1 to join the other 8 for full day rehearsals before tonight's show...

I asked each of them to say something about how they are feeling about tonight...









OMG can't believe they're excited to see Michael Learns To Rock...the band with the most predictable lyrics ever. Ok la, I shouldn't diss them, I think I know all their songs too...I'm not an actor I'm not a star, and I don't even have my own car.....

Anyway, safe to say, they all seem pretty calm about tonight. I'll be seeing them in a few hours, lets see how they're holdin' up then! :)

xoxo, s.

Twilight Idol

Even the Ghosts want a piece of Idol action!

Its the Hungry Ghost month for the chinese and the holy month of Ramadhan for the Muslims, time is ripe for some spooky tales and ghostly happenings, and this time, it happened to one our very own. Two in fact, am counting the Blogger as part of the Idol family mah!

As many of you may know, Caldecott Broadcast Centre has long been touted as haunted (as are many old buildings). And the Training School where there Idols spend most of their time is said to be one of the most haunted (hearsay of course).

Last Saturday, after the roadshow, Group 1 contestants were scheduled for their vocal training sessions at 6.30pm.

This spooky story was told to me by our very own Official Blogger.

At about 7.30pm (twilight*!!!), one of the Top 24, got locked out outside the building because she forgot to bring her pass and her handphone (alamak!). She'd gone out to reception to buy a drink because for some unknown reason, the vending machine at Training School was shut down (and this machine is always on k...I wonder how it got shut off? *cue eerie music*)

After about 15 minutes of waiting, a kind MediaCorp staffmember opened the door for her and she finally rejoined the group.

At about 8pm, her mobile starts to ring. The number that's flashing is Izked (Idol Official Blogger). She picks up the call and Izked tells her he's locked outside, and to come open the door for him. (Seriously, why do our passes all not work on that door?)

She goes to open the door, but Iz isn't outside. She braves the dark and opens the other entrance by the dark toilet, and he isn't there either.

Then, as she walks past the vocal training room, she sees Iz sitting inside.

OK, start freaking out. Another Top24-er who was with her confirms Iz was inside the vocal training room all the time.

When the door to the vocal training room opened (its closed during each individual's session), our freaked out Top24-er rushes in to ask Izked if he'd called her on her mobile just now.

Nope. He didn't.

A quick check on his mobile shows no record of any made calls in the last half hour. Last call made was to Jannah over an hour ago. Iz had been inside the whole time recording Ryan's session on his camera.

FREAK OUT NOW.

Our poor freaked out Top24-er shows Iz the phone, and there is indeed a record of 'his' call to her. When asked if the voice on the phone sounded like him, she said it was kind of muffled and mumbled, and it was a quick call.

Poor girl was in tears from this episode (which is why her identity is not revealed).

We hope she's alright now and will always remember to go anywhere in crowds when at Caldecott Hill.


UPDATE!!
Izk just posted his first hand account of the 'ghostly encounter!'.... go read his story CLICK HERE!


xoxo, s.

*twilight is known be the witching hour for many cultures. It is the transitional time between day and night. Muslims believe that the time between the prayer times of Maghrib (7+pm) and Isyak (8+pm) serves as a portal for ghosts and lost souls. This time coincides with twilight.


ps. I've heard numerous ghost stories from Mediacorpers. I generally RUN through Mediacorp when its dark and I'm alone.


pps. Its IDOL DAY today! So don't forget to tune in tonight at 8pm to catch the first group of 12 perform! And then VOTE like siao! Only 6 will go through tonight, results show at 10pm.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Group 1 @ Choreo

Get up on the dancefloor!

Its Monday night, 7.30pm.
The first 12 Idol hopefuls are at Training School for their choreo session with Zaki.
Two tasks for tonight :
1. Learn the steps for their group song - MJ's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
2. Work out their steps for their solos.

Here are some vids from today's session...











Actually I felt that they all weren't too bad. Pretty coordinated for what seemed like a pretty complicated routine to me.

Kudos to (Mr) Zaki for his lovely one-liners, and whippin' 'em into shape so quickly.
*Latest update, the choreo session ended at 11pm. Waaay earlier than I expected considering I left at 10pm (thinking it was gonna drag on til at least 1am!)

**Latest Latest Update, group choreo ended at 11pm. Solos went on til 1am!

Check out my twitter (see right sidebar to follow me) for my updates while at Choreo.

Ok, am off to fix up the missing 8 profiles for Group 2!

xoxo, s.

Friday, August 28, 2009

two Idol videos worth watching....

Too blur to post and do my Ep4 review... so here are two Idol-related vids worth watching.

Check out Gabrielle Ferdinands singing T-Shirt...nice :) - i like this!



And Frances Maria singing Mama Do (a duet with a guy called Dinesh?)- Enjoy!


Check out Frances' profile here.

Gabby's profile is a work in progress at the moment, she's in Piano Show #2. In the meantime, you can check out her YouTube channel.

Much love to Gabby and Frances!

xoxo, s.

ps. Also check out this CNA video of some interviews done with Teddy (Theodore), Mae and Ryan at Friday's Idol media conference at Caldecott Hill. CLICK HERE. If you don't see it, click on the calendar video archives, its listed under World, dated 27 Aug.

pps. ooh..just found this! An interview with Malaque and Jannah...watch!



Malaque's profile is here and Jannah's is here.
love to the purple people! :)





Thursday, August 27, 2009

The Idol Top24 Promo Schedule

Get to know your Top 24!
Channel 5 has organised roadshows and radio interviews for the Top 24....here are the details :


Publicity dates for first 12 :

29 August (This Saturday!!)
Idol Roadshow @ The Cathay, 2pm - 3pm
See them in person!
Charles, Frances, MJ, Jannah, Farhan, Ryan, Malaque, Nurul, Theodore, Douglas, Tabitha and Syltra.

31 August, Monday
Idol Interview on 987FM, 9am - 9.30am
On radio : Charles, Frances, MJ and Jannah

1 Sept, Tuesday
Idol Interview on 987FM, 9am - 9.30am
On radio : Ryan, Malaque, Nurul and Farhan

2 Sept, Wednesday (IDOL DAY! Woot!)
Idol Interview on 987FM, 9am - 9.30am
On radio : Theodore, Douglas, Tabitha and Syltra


IDOL DAY, 2 Sept
PIANO SHOW #1
8pm : LIVE Performance Show
10pm : LIVE Results Show
*Remember, voting commences at the START of the show (unlike previous seasons)

Vote by Phone
Here are the numbers to call for your first group of 12..

Charles 1900 112 1201
Frances 1900 112 1202
MJ 1900 112 1203
Jannah 1900 112 1204
Farhan 1900 112 1205
Ryan 1900 112 1206
Malaque 1900 112 1207
Nurul 1900 112 1208
Theodore 1900 112 1209
Douglas 1900 112 1210
Tabitha 1900 112 1211
Syltra 1900 112 1212

Will update later with the SMS codes.

Don't forget to support your favourites!! SO EXCITING can?!


Publicity dates for the second group of 12 are :

5 Sept (NEXT Saturday)
Idol Roadshow @ Lot One, 3pm - 4pm
See them in person!
Sezairi, Gabrielle, Duane, Jonathan, Fathin Amira, Sylvia Ratonel, Faizal Isa, Charlene Torres-Tan, Benjamin Chow, Samantha Lee, Justin Jap and Mae Sta Maria.

7 Sept, Monday
Idol Interview on 987FM, 9am - 9.30am
On radio : Sezairi, Gabrielle, Duane and Sylvia

8 Sept, Tuesday
Idol Interview on 987FM, 9am - 9.30am
On radio : Jonathan, Benjamin, Charlene and Amira

9 Sept, Wednesday (IDOL DAY! Woot!)
Idol Interview on 987FM, 9am - 9.30am
On radio : Samantha, Justin, Mae and Faizal


IDOL DAY, 9 Sept
PIANO SHOW #2
8pm : LIVE Performance Show
10pm : LIVE Results Show
*Remember, voting commences at the START of the show (unlike previous seasons)

Will post the numbers to call next week when I update this post. For now, go concentrate on the first 12!


Wheeeeee! Idol has REALLY started now....

xoxo, s.


Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Introducing Your Top 24

Singapore, meet your Top 24!
(quick post!)
























Introducing :
Your Top 24 Girls
Jannah Shaharuddin
Syltra Lee
Nurul Huda
Malaque Mahdaly
Frances Maria
Samantha Lee
Gabrielle Ferdinands
Sylvia Ratonel
Charlene Torres-Tan
Tabitha Nauser
Fathin Amira
Mae Sta Maria

And your Top 24 Guys
Theodore Teow
Jonathan Cheok
Charles Wong
MJ Kuok
Douglas Wong
Benjamin Chow
Farhan Shah
Duane Ho
Justin Jap
Ryan Lee
Sezairi Sezali
Faizal Isa

Their profiles will be released one by one over the course of the night. So stay tuned to this blog :)

**Links to the individual profiles are listed on the right sidebar for easy access!**


On To The Piano Shows!
Next Wednesday, 12 will take the stage for the first Piano Show.
Only 6 will go through to the Spectaculars. 3 from the public vote, and 3 from the Judges' Save.

Here are your first 12 :
Charles Wong
Frances Maria
MJ Kuok
Jannah Shaharuddin
Farhan Shah
Ryan Lee
Malaque Mahdaly
Nurul Huda
Theodore Teow
Douglas Wong
Tabitha Nauser
Syltra Lee

Who will go through to the Spectaculars?

The following Wednesday, 9th Sept, the next group of 12 will perform for Piano Show #2.

Your 2nd group of 12 are :
Sezairi Sezali
Gabrielle Ferdinands
Duane Ho
Jonathan Cheok
Fathin Amira
Sylvia Ratonel
Faizal Isa
Charlene Torres-Tan
Benjamin Chow
Samantha Lee
Justin Jap
Mae Sta Maria

Congratulations to the Top 24! Work hard and good luck for the next round! See you at the Piano Shows!

xoxo, s.


Singapore Idol Top 24 : Mae Sta Maria

In The Shower with :
Mae Sta Maria
(nickname : Turtle)


















In 3 words, Mae describes herself as Deep, Passionate and Nutty...sounds almost like a commercial for a Dark Nutty Chocolate bar :)

She is definitely passionate that's for sure. Mae's the kind of girl that needs a 'Pause' button once a while cos she gets so excited and can just keep rambling on and on about animals, people, her husband (aww), clothes, Idol, gardening (and how she does not want to) etc....

She's lovely la...just the kind of girl everyone would be friends with, Idol or not. :)

Quick facts about Mae :
Lives in : East
Occupation : Bank Teller (seriously? OCBC? UOB? OUB?)
Favourite MJ song : I Want You Back (the song saved her life at Theatres :))
Favourite Judge : Ken
Single/Attached? : Married <-- her husband is cute y'all!

Who does she think will win Idol 3? Farhan.

If music is your first love, what is your second?
My second greatest love that is not music related is definitely Basketball! I recently was in America where i was lucky enough to watch 4 NBA games. I also will support any playing level of basketball like local games, amateur games, people playing down stairs my papa's block,by loudly shouting , cheering and commentating on their games. "foul" "defense...clap clap clap" are what you would normally hear from me. Funnily enough...I have never played the sport.:)

Secret Single Behaviour : What do you do on your own that no one knows about?
My secret obsession other than blowing saliva bubbles is probably my obsession with finding convertible outfits...you know: dresses that can turn into tops that can turn into skirts that can turn into hats (not really) I get soooo happy when i find a convertible item that i love. I've got a few but my current fave is my American Apparel circle scarf (you should google it...it's so cool) Weirdly enough, only one other person knows about this.

summerr's take :
Mae being the oldest contestant on the show and probably with the most performing experience, having been on Australian Idol (she made it to the Top 100), definitely has a more controlled sound. She's also very determined and listens to the tons advice heaped on her by judges, Vocal Coach Ann and Music Director Indra.

I get the feeling she really really REALLY wants this :) Drive is good. Being able to handle constructive criticism is even better.

Here's a sample of her own music which can be found online (her links are at the end of this post).




Make a date with Mae!
Saturday, 5 Sept Aug : Lot One, 3pm -4pm
Catch Mae in person at the second Idol roadshow where you get to meet the 2nd group of 12 that will be performing at Piano Show #2.

Wednesday, 9 Sept : Caldecott Hill, 9am - 930am, 987FM
Tune in to 987FM at 9am to catch Mae's first radio interview, alongside Justin, Samantha and Faizal.

Wednesday, 9 Sept : Caldecott Broadcast Centre, Studio 1
Singapore Idol Piano Show #2, 8pm and The Results Show later at 10pm, on Channel 5.
Mae will be performing the Leona Lewis hit "Better In Time".

To vote for Mae :
Call 1900 112 1212 or text 12 to IDOLS (43657)
Each call/sms costs 60cents.
Lines only open from 8pm on 9th Sept 2009.

Find Mae online :