Episode 10 & 11 are up!

OMG, Nazamania is BACK...woot!!

And he's just uploaded episodes 10 and 11...namely Spectacular #4 'A Tribute To Michael Jackson' and Spectacular #5 'For Someone Special'. Spectacular #3 'An Asian Feast' is not up yet, but I'm hoping he'll put that up soon, along with Spectaculars 6 and 7.

So for those of you who have been in an online Idol draught, here you go...MJ Week and Someone Special...

Hope you enjoyed that, many many thanks to Nazamania for uploading the full episodes! Looking forward to more!

xoxo, s.

Idol Caption

Found this very interesting pic of Tabby on facebook

...kudos to the photog who caught it!

Would love to hear what you all think she's thinking, or who she may be directing that look to (LOL!), so lets play captions...

xoxo, s.

ps. will tell you what I think she was doing (and I'm quite sure I'm right cos I've seen this expression before) by end of today :)! So caption away!

Boys Trump Girls Week? The review...

Did the Idols' 'Someone Special' Melt or Cringe?

The Top 9 sang their hearts out for their 'Someone Special' last week, each one picking very meaningful songs dedicated especially to their loved ones. But were their performance note- or cringe-worthy?

Here's the recap trailer for last week's show...

I wasn't there at the show last week. Had mommy duties, but I got there (after putting the kids to bed) about 5 minutes before they announced the results. The first thing Iz and Justin reported were - aiyo the girls screwed up tonight and wah the boys were really good. I couldn't wait to watch the show (recorded faithfully on my mio box for viewing ASAP).

I later managed to steal a minute of two for a quick chat with Ann Hussein who said the Idols did very very well during rehearsals. So well in fact, it gave @siproducer the creeps because it never went that well before - the usual trend is screw up at rehearsals and do better on live show. Well, looks like his uneasy rumblings were founded - even the boys, who did well, apparently weren't as good as they were during rehearsals...tsk. Shoulda just recorded rehearsals and aired it instead hor...

Oh well...lets get started on the reviews then...

The theme was 'For Someone Special', so each Idol chose a person that meant a great deal to them. It could be anyone apart from their parents.

Charles Wong - Fall For You by Secondhand Serenade

I thought Charlie opened the show beautifully. When I first heard the song on YouTube I thought 'what? really? oh god, I hope Charles changes it up a little'....imo the song was a real snoozer. But when Charles sang it, omg, it was so heartfelt and gentle and dreamy - melt. MELT.

A few days before the show, Charles admitted to being nervous as he said this song always had only two reactions from people - either they hated it or they loved it. So he said that he planned to 'add some runs and make it more likeable'. :) Well, you did it boy!

I think everyone wanted to be Sherry (you lucky girl!) at one point!

Like Flo said 'Girlfriend, this one's a keeper!'

Judges said :

Dick – You should sing a love song every week, you were comfortable and honest.
Flo – The performance was very sexy and heartfelt. To you girlfriend, I say he is a keeper.
Ken – You sounded desperate …. Desperately in love. The way you professed your love will get you through to the next round.

Agree/disagree? TOTALLY agree :) I loved their glowing reviews! What a great way to start the show - who knew Uncle Ken had such a good sense of humour :) Good job Charlieboy!

In hindsight, best performance of the night - tied with Airi!

Sylvia Ratonel - When You Believe by Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey

I was totally blown away when I heard Sylvia rehearse this. Her voice was just so amazing. You can see the rehearsal vid that I recorded here. This song is by no means an easy song to sing - plus you have not one, but TWO divas to channel! I have to admit, I was a bit worried. But after watching her rehearse, I thought - wahlao she can do it man!

Watching the show now, I felt she seemed to be very anxious or nervous or something. As usual, her vocals were spot-on, but it was like she wasn't present (same as last week) - her eyes were elsewhere.

Judges said :

Dick – Consistently you pick good songs and deliver them beautifully but you need to sing with more heart and emotions.
Flo – You sang with the confidence of a professional.
Ken – You were too pre-occupied with the lyrics of the song. You need to focus on the emotions.

Agree/disagree :

Agree totally with Dick and Ken about needing to present more emo. Maybe she got too wrapped up with the technicality of the song (because there are just so many notes that need to be met and the melody isn't simple). I had told her before, sometimes, its like you can see the wheels of her brain turning. Maybe she just needs to relax a bit more. Like when she did Mercy, she looked like she was having fun. She didn't look like she was having fun with this one.

Faizal Isa - I'm Yours by Jason Mraz

When I posted the song list, a few people commented to me - Aiya Jason Mraz again ah. Why this guy always Jason Mraz ah? And I was like...got meh? He's only sung this song once right? At Theatres. Why is it people have this impression that he only does Mraz songs?

Anyway, I thought he did great. His diction was spot on except for one word, but who cares - ONE word oni mah....

Stage presence - check. Vocals - check. Adorableness - check.

Judges said :

Dick – It was really great, really you!
Flo – Your breakout performance! This shows your confidence as a performer.
Ken – Last week you were predictable. This week you came back just as predictable, that was a bad copy.

Agree/disagree :

I agree with Dick and Flo. I totally enjoyed it. I think Aunty Mona would be so proud - she was beaming and beaming :) . I disagree with Ken, I don't think he was 'copying' Mraz. As for being predictable, I kinda do see his point there, as initially when I saw the song choice, I had wished he woulda picked something else cos we've already seen him perform this. But now I know why he picked it - because he's so comfortable doing this song. If he does get to the Finals, I have a feeling he may want to sing this song again.

Malaque Mahdaly - Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion

When I first heard that Malaque had chosen this song, alarm bells went off in my head - Celine? Girl, you sure not? But after I heard her have a go at it - I felt vocally she could do it - she just needed more practice. Check out her practice vid here.

But watching the show on tv, it was shaky from the very start. She actually looked a little nervous, but still very very sincere. I could feel like she was singing it to her BFF Fatma (who is super pretty btw!)

Judges said :

Dick – You have what it takes but your singing is getting worse week to week. You need to work on your vocals.
Flo – It was a heartfelt tribute but you are too young to interpret it.
Ken – You have the looks but not the voice; it was a totally wrong choice of song.

Agree/disagree? I disagree with Dick and Flo. Dick cos I don't think she's gotten worse week on week. I think she's had ups and downs based on song choice. And, last week WAS NOT BAD, I reiterate - it was because people weren't familiar with THAT version of Rock With You, thus the bad comments from judges/viewers.

Disagree with Flo because I feel the song is about attributing your successes to someone who's supported you, and it can be done as light as between two good friends, or as deep as between mother and child. In that light, I think Malaque conveyed her message successfully - but also shakily.

I guess Ken is right, maybe she shoulda picked a song that would have been easier to tackle. Celine (and all the big diva songs) are very much 'suicide' choices. But I disagree that she doesn't have the voice. She has a very unique tone which comes out really lovely when she sings on recordings - maybe she just needs to hone it? Go for more vocal training - Dick offer lessons?

Mae Sta Maria - Hero by Mariah Carey

I have to say this has got to be Mae's weakest performance to date. She was shaky almost throughout. It was so disheartening to see her hand shaking (the one holding the mic) throughout the song. Her delivery was also kinda 'quiet' like she couldn't push her vocals out. Definitely something was up with Mae that night.

Judges said :

Dick – You were not singing at your peak, you look defeated.
Flo – You were nervous tonight. Believe in yourself.
Ken – I don’t know if you will be able to impress us again.

Agree/disagree :

Mae revealed she was sick when the judges asked. I totally agree with what Dick said, she did look defeated from the very get go. I guess she was just feeling terrible. I hope for both Mae's and our sakes (we want to watch a good show right), Mae will be able to 'impress' them again.

Duane Ho - A Song For You by Leon Russell

To be honest, after watching Elliot Yamin's take on this song, I wasn't sure if Duane would be able to bring something different to the song and make it heartfelt too. But whoa - Duane did a brill job! Just brill! I think the piano to Duane is what the guitar is to Airi. It just brings out his vocals, perhaps because he's comfortable.

Judges said :

Dick – This is the Duane we love, your best performance so far.
Flo – It was a competent performance.
Ken – Between your GCE “O” Levels and winning Singapore Idol, you should focus on your education.

Agree/disagree :

I would like to agree with Dick. I thought he did really well, and I was 'sold'. Maybe Uncle Ken is just being old-skool - ie education is more important than 'singing career'? Who knows Uncle Ken, Duane may just win this thing. (But Duane, if you are reading this, even if you DO win, education is still important - you gotta find time to do it k?)

Fathin Amira - Back At One by Brian McKnight

Sucks that I don't have her rehearsal vid, cos she was awesome in that pingpong room! She's the 4th girl to perform and its like a plague on the females - right from the start she's shaky. And yes Dick, her orange top was a little distracting and worse still, it made her look a little tired (I don't think the colour suits her).

Initially she had told me she would be dedicating this performance to a certain 'guy', but I found out that night she changed that to her good friend April instead - worried about the 'rents? Maybe in her heart she was singing to that 'guy' and that tripped her up? Nerves?

Judges said :

Dick – You look like you’re ready for Halloween, you look like a pumpkin.
Flo – It’s a love song but you dedicated it to your friend so I did not connect with it.
Ken – Unfortunately Duane’s performance was even better than yours!

Agree/disagree :

What Dick said - Oh well Amira, its ok, I've been called a pumpkin too whenever I wear an orange top... at least we DARE to wear orange right?!

What Flo said - sigh, if only she knew...read this Flo....(skip to Amira's interview)

What Ken said - Why was he comparing Amira to Duane? apples and oranges - or pumpkins...

But overall, I have to agree it wasn't her best performance to date. She seemed a little lost.

Tabitha Nauser - Halo by Beyonce Knowles

I was really looking forward to seein Tabby perform this cos I know its like one of her favourite songs. And although I heard she was waaay better during rehearsals ( the words ' Tabby screwed up big time' were mentioned when I arrived at Results Show), I thought she did a commendable job on this one. Not bad lei.

Judges said :

Dick – You got to really train and exercise your body, mind and soul.
Flo – You got the halo around you!
Ken – You looked the best but sounded the worst. You lost your confidence.

Agree/disgaree? I think the judges were harder on her because they expect a lot more from her because she's the one with the most potential - because she has vocals and looks. I seriously didn't think she did as bad as they made it out to be - perhaps in studio, the live performance wasn't too good. On tv, she seemed fine. Shouting and rushed at some parts, but overall, a good performance. So I'll have to agree wholeheartedly with just Flo :)

Side note re Tabby's wardrobe : I disagree with Ken's comment that she looked her best, I never liked seeing Tabby in these 'prom-like' dresses she's always made to wear...I would love to see her in 'funkier', younger stuff. Like maybe something Nicole Richie would wear (although I know thats not her body type, but just the 'feel' la - Fathin - help inject some awesome style into your BFF's wardrobe ya!).

Sezairi Sezali - Ordinary People by John Legend

Best performance of the night imo (tied with Charles!). Well done Airi. I'm not a big fan of John Legend. He puts me to sleep most times. Not a big fan of this song either. But something about Airi's delivery, I was riveted. It wasn't boring. It was ... soothing and heartfelt and convincing. I totally bought it.

Judges said :

Dick – You sounded great, great song!
Flo – That performance was cool sophistication.
Ken – You are the closest to being original. The image you creating for yourself is a bit dull.

Agree/disagree : Agree with all the judges. Except the 'dull' point (in no way is he dull). However, I understand why Ken may have said that, the performance did seem a little more 'grown-up' and Airi tends to be 'quiet' (albeit v smiley) during the 'chats' with Gurms. So Airi, your music's spot on, time to amp up the personality - cos you are one hilarious dude. :) Overall, job well done.

That's the review... on to the Results Show....

I thought the Idols did a great job singing 'Just Stand Up', the medley for 'Stand Up To Cancer'. Here's a vid of the actual song in case you haven't heard the original (hello which rock have you been hiding under?)

As usual, the producers could be counted on to give us a heart attack/rollercoaster ride with the way they dole out the 'you're safe/unsafe' news. But the results were a shock to me because I always thought Amira had a huge fan following. I thought she and Farhan (bless him and his white white teeth) were invincible when it came to the votes. Guess I was wrong.

Well its even stevens again now....4 girls and 4 boys left to duke it out this Idol Day.

This week's Mambo Mania theme is bound to be fun for everyone. Or super cheesy if it goes belly up *fingers crossed it doesn't*.

I hope Fuji (the set designer) had got his huge-ass Glitter Disco Ball ready to spin :) And the idols have got all their air-pointing and hip locking down pat!

Do you think the judges will come in 'mambo' baju? Flo with beehive and Dick in bell bottoms? I won't even bother about Uncle Ken cos we all know he doesn't compromise on his teeshirts :) Maybe an Astroboy tee with karipap hair? Wishful thinking!

xoxo, s.

ps. I'll be back at the studio this week - am so excited - I missed everyone terribly (whalao, Idol withdrawal symptoms much?) and I'll be tweeting/twitpiccing as usual. Sorry Iz didn't do so, his twitpic was down - he said couldn't send any pics!

Idol out : Fathin Amira

Bye bye AMiRa :(

Just as I was getting to know her a lil better (hey we shared a box of 'Wheatables' last weekend and she told me loads about everything), she had to go :(

I haven't watched tonight's show so I don't know how she did, but I did hear from Justin that the girls weren't 100% tonight. I later heard from Ann Hussein that everyone was SPOT ON during rehearsals, and she thought 'OMG its gonna be an amazing show', and it was such a pity that they didn't do as well during the Live show - nerves I guess. Never underestimate the debilitating power of nerves.

Imo, Amira has been improving week on week. Her vocals were shaky at the beginning, but after last week's MJ performance, I thought she would have it in the bag this week. Plus, I heard her rehearsing tonight's song over the weekend (although not quick enough to whip my phone into vid mode to capture it!), it was full-on phwoar!

Sigh, am gonna miss that lil cilipadi - she was so random. Dazed one minute - opinionated the next.

Here's Amira's exit song and exit interview for IDOL TV. I shall call my vid 'The B-roll' from now on - you know, like the extra side profile camera MTV shows always have - just so editors have another perspective when they put the show together :).

After singing the song, she came off stage and was smiley, but there were tears in her eyes. :( But by the time she reached the green room for her exit interview - she was bac to the strong and positive Amira!

Thanks Amira for sharing with us your Idol journey, keep at it babe! The Idol family will always be behind you :)

Don't forget to catch Amira's radio interview tomorrow morning, 9am on Idol's Official Radio Station, 987FM with Dan & Young.

Next post - what the Top 8 will be singing next week on Mambo Mania ....

xoxo, s.

VOTE VOTE VOTE Spectacular 5

8pm : the lines are now open!

ready...set...vote like siao!

Its 8pm. Where are you?

Are you watching Idol? I am... for another 25 minutes at least, before I put my kids to bed. Yep, I'm at home, this is not a scheduled post. :P

Anyway, KEEP THIS PAGE OPEN cos here are the voting deets in summary in case you can't see the ones on the left... (plus the pretty pics la)

Charles "Stitch" Wong singing to girlfriend Sherry

Fall For You

by Secondhand Serenade

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

Sylvia Ratonel singing to bestfriend Nik

When You Believe

by Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

Faizal Isa singing to Mak Angkat (godmother) Aunty Mona

I'm Yours

by Jason Mraz

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

Malaque Mahdaly singing to bestfriend/cousin Fatmah

Because You Loved Me

by Celine Dion

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

Mae Sta Maria singing to cousin DJ

Hero

by Mariah Carey

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

Duane Ho singing to cousin Nicole

A Song For You

by Leon Russell

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

Fathin Amira singing to a special friend John

Back At One

by Brian McKnight

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

Tabitha Nauser singing to BFF Fathin (not Amira ;))

Halo

by Beyonce Knowles

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

Sezairi Sezali singing to BFF Abu

Ordinary People

by John Legend

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

Thats it folks, those are the numbers to call :) if you want more info on the idols and their special someones, check out the post before this for their interviews.

If you wanna know what the original songs sound like, click here,

Enjoy the rest of the show...and vote for talent! Keep your favourites in the competition!

xoxo, s.

ps. Come back at 9pm for some interesting updates on upcoming themes.

pps. I've asked Izked to take over as twitpiccer tonight - so do check out his twitpics/tweets!

HAPPY IDOL DAY!

Monday, Tuesday, IDOL DAY! Woot!

I'm trying to psyche myself up actually because I'm so totally bummed today....The Husband just told me late last night that he has an all-night conference call tonight, which means I can't go for the Live show. :( In fact, I won't be able to watch the show at all cos The Kids go to sleep at 9pm, which means The TV goes off at 8.30pm. How bummed am I right?

ANYWAY....for the rest of you who'll be watching.... here are the interviews I did with the Idols for tonight's theme, 'For Someone Special'. I've decided to put them all here instead of their profiles because those profiles seem to be getting waaaay too long :) (think its time to do new ones next week for the Top 8).

So get ready for a super long post, here we go weeeeeee.........

btw, aren't these pics (below) just awesome - everyone looks so good! I decided to crop 'em so you could see their faces close up (original pics were full length as used for the print ad above). Nice right?! Yummmy!

Charlie!

Gabby (Ferdinands) wanted to come up with a new nickname for him, cos 'Charlie' was overused - she came up with Chucky <-- eek! evil doll...I dun likey, so I stick w Charlie :)

the song

Fall For You

by Secondhand Serenade

the voting deets

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

the interview

Who’s the someone special you'll be singing to tonight?
Sherry, my girlfriend.

If you have only $1 to spend together, what would you spend it on?
I’ll buy as much tissue paper as I can with that $1, cos every time we go out, it irritates her that I always forget to bring tissue paper J

If you have $100 to spend together, what would you spend it on?
Spend the whole day out – nice meal, nice shopping spree and then end off with another nice meal. (2 meals AND shopping? $100 can ah?) Oh definitely, my girlfriend is very very good at sourcing for cheap and good stuff!

What’s your big hope/dream for them?
I hope that we’ll always be happy together. Cos marriage isn’t the final goal. At the end of the day, when one partner has passed on, the other can look back and be satisfied that what they had was a happy and fulfilling relationship.

Most Embarrassing Moment
We went to Wild Wild Wet, and decided to go on the U-shapes slide. I was like asking her, ‘Are you sure, dear? Sure or not?’ cos I was worried about her. But when we went down, I was the one screaming and screaming until the lifeguard said, ‘Eh boy, you ok or not?’….now I realize, she’s the brave one, I’m the scaredy cat.

What do you have in common?
We both like to draw. She draws portraits. I used to draw animae, but I’ve given it up cos I felt I wasn’t that good, but my interest is there. She still draws though.

Click here to go to Charlie's full profile page.

SylviaFM

thus called because she sings the same song all day, every day, when she's practising. This week's featured song....see below :)

the song

When You Believe

by Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey

the voting deets

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

the interview
Who’s the someone special you'll be singing to tonight?
To my good friend Nik because she believes in me so much. She sees me like this awesome person and always encourages me, when I don’t really believe in myself. And also to my female colleagues who are all amazing women.

If you have only $1 to spend together, what would you spend it on?
$1, I would buy a cupcake and share it with her.

If you only $100 to spend together, what would you spend it on?
I would go out and buy my girls a round of drinks!

What’s your big hope/dream for them?
My greatest hope is for each of them to find happiness in whatever they do.

Craziest thing you’ve ever done together?
One night we ran across the highway at 2am, the one near Suntec City! We were walking from Arab Street trying to get to East Coast, but somehow lost our way and ended up in Kallang somewhere. It was such a fun night!

What do you have in common?
We’re both laid back, but can go crazy too!

Click here to go to SylSyl's full profile page.

Faizal Beras

cos 'Beras' sounds like Mraz! <-- Faizal told me this hahaha.

the song

I'm Yours

by Jason Mraz

the voting deets

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

the interview
Who’s the someone special you'll be singing to tonight?
My godmother, I call her Aunty Mona. Her name is actually Amona and she owns a boutique in Arab Street called Mona J Boutique that sells traditional clothes like kebayas and baju kurungs.

I want to thank her and show her my appreciation for all that she’s done for me. Since I was 10 years old, she’s been the sponsor of all my performance clothes (yes, Faizal has been performing in singing contests and events since he was 10!!!). She’s even loaned me a full Kenneth Cole suit which she ordered especially for me from US!

She always encourages me and gives me advice like ‘Sing well, but also study well’. She always reminds me that in Singapore, paper qualifications are still very important. She also gifted the diamante ‘F’ brooch I wore last week, cos I’ve made it this far. I’ll be wearing it every week from now on! J


If you had only $1 to spend together, what would you spend it on?
I’ll treat her to a cup of very good teh tarik at Arab Street.

If you only $100 to spend together, what would you spend it on?
I’ll spend the money at her shop and give her some business J I’ll buy something from there for my mom and my grandmother.

What’s your big hope/dream for them?
I hope for the best for her business, hope that it will always thrive – more revenue for her so she can sponsor more clothes for me! LOL! (joking!)
But seriously, would hope her business picks up again because it was really affected during the recession.

Most Interesting Moment
Her daughter threw us both a surprise birthday party this year. It was at her shop at Arab Street and it was such a big surprise! It’s the first time ever anyone has ever thrown me a surprise party. All her friends, our relatives and even fans were there.

What do you have in common?
We are both Pisces. My birthday is 29^th February and hers is 1^st March, so just one day apart. Which was why the surprise party was for us both, since this year there is no 29^th February!

click here to go to Faizal's full profile page.

Malaqueen

cos she's so preeeety like an Arabian Queen/princess :)

the song

Because You Loved Me

by Celine Dion

the voting deets

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

the interview
Who’s the someone special you'll be singing to tonight?
Fatmah. She’s my best friend, my cousin, my personal assistant (kidding!), everything la!

If you had only $1 to spend together, what would you spend it on?
She loves soccer (and so does Malaque), so I’ll buy her one of those $1 rubber soccer balls from the mama shop! ;)

If you only $100 to spend together, what would you spend it on?
First we’ll go to Simpang Bedok, then to karaoke, and then rent some DVDs and get some popcorn and go back to either her place or mine and watch movies and eat popcorn! J

What’s your big hope/dream for them?
That she will be successful in life, in everything she does – in her degree, for her wedding, etc. I hope everything goes well. Always believe in your heart and don’t let others bring you down.

Craziest Stand Out Moment
We once went to the airport to cry together. (?!)
Terminal 3 had just opened and it was after tuition and we had nowhere to go so we went there. When we got there, we just stood there and looked at people coming and going and just cried. The reason for the crying – is a secret!

What do you have in common?
We have so much in common – physically, emotionally, mentally. We are both very goofy and crazy. We both look like the quiet type, like really kwai-kwai (goody two shoes) but once we open our mouths all nonsense and rubbish!
We even look alike – one time, she was outside Temasek Primary school when someone shouted ‘Eh its Malaque! Malaque!’ and she just smiled and carried on walking!

Click here to go to Malaqueen's full profile page.

Big Sista Mae

cos she's like everbody's big sister - she makes sure people eat, get their clothes to wardrobe, doesn't leave anything behind, has rides to Simpang ;)

the song

Hero

by Mariah Carey

the voting deets

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

the interview
Who’s the someone special you'll be singing to tonight?
My cousin DJ who’s 19. He wants to be a singer too and be in entertainment, so I wanna share my experiences with him, so that he can learn from too, and not have to struggle as much as I did.

If you have only $1 to spend together, what would you spend it on?
I’ll buy a teh and share it with him, sit down and talk at the coffeeshop J

If you have $100 to spend together, what would you spend it on?
I’ll just give him all the money. So that he can buy himself matching earrings! It drives me crazy that he wears mismatched earrings, like right now he’s got on one circle and one square!

What’s your big hope/dream for them?
I hope that DJ learns from what I’ve done, both the good and the bad, so his life won’t be as much of a struggle like mine has been to become an entertainer. My other big hope is that he goes to school and finishes it and gets a degree, so that he can get a ‘second’ job to fund his dream (of being a singer).

Weirdest Moment
I remember his 1^st birthday, it was a dress-up party and the theme was Hawaiian. My mom dressed me up as popstar, for some reason she always dressed me up as a popstar. And DJ had a hula skirt. Another cousin Kurt came as ‘balloon’ guy.. and when you popped all the balloons, he had no more costume left!

What do you have in common?
Music. And of course the fact that we’re family.

Click here to go to Mae's full profile page.

Duane Boy

just cos he's the youngest :)

the song

A Song For You

by Leon Russell/Donnie Hathaway

the voting deets

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

the interview
Who’s the someone special you'll be singing to tonight?
My cousin Nicole, she’s 22. We’ve always been close, since when we were young, and we always hang out. The gist of the song is to remember the times that we’ve shared, so that’s why its so suitable for her.

If you have only $1 to spend together, what would you spend it on?
I’ll buy one of those ‘balls’ from the machines that has a toy inside and give it to her J
(aww so sweet!)

If you have $100 to spend together, what would you spend it on?
Go and eat some nice Japanese food, like at Kuishin-bo! Japanese buffet!

What’s your big hope/dream for them?
She took an animation course, but her real dream has always been to work with special needs kids. She’s currently working with kids now, but I hope one day she will be able to marry her passion for kids and the skills she learned in her animation course. Maybe do an animation that can help the kids somehow?

Craziest Moment
We queued for over an hour in the pouring rain at Escape Theme Park just to ride this iconic indoor rollercoaster called the Panasonic ride (that ride no longer exists). After queueing outdoors in the rain, when we finally got in, I heard the screaming people and the loud sound of the coaster and I freaked and walked out! LOL! Nicole went through with it though!

What do you have in common?
Singing. We both love to sing. We jam a lot cos she plays the guitar and I play the piano. Usually at family gatherings and Christmas parties, its usually us two singing. We’ll also like go online and check out the chords and play together.

Click here to go to Duane's full profile page.

Cilipadi Amira

cos her powerpacked vocals are hawt but come in a petite package, plus, she's fairly vocal too, a force to be reckoned with!

the song

Back At One

by Brian McKnight

the voting deets

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

the interview
Who’s the someone special you'll be singing to tonight?
I like this guy called John who’s from another class. He’s a popular guym girls go crazy over him, but he has this blur sotong attitude. He likes to ‘kacau’ (disturb/tease) me during lectures, like he’ll pretend to be starstruck and say things like, ‘OMG I’m sitting beside my Idol!’

If you have only $1 to spend together, what would you spend it on?

I guess I’ll buy an ice cream and share it with him.

If you have $100 to spend together, what would you spend it on?
I’d like to go on a date with him to Swensen’s and then the Singapore Flyer!

What’s your big hope/dream for them?
That he will understand me better as a person and also come to realize my feelings for him.

Weirdest Moment
I invited him to come to the show, and he replied, ‘Sorry Amira, I can’t come to watch you cos um, I was applying this face ointment and now my face is burnt, it got burnt by the ointment!’ Weird right? But funny!

What do you have in common?
Our blurness. We are both blur sotongs. Oh, and during breaktime, he’s the slowest eater. I’m the same!

Click here to go to Amira's full profile page.

Tabby 'Bangs' Nauser

cos she's looks so amazing with her new bangs (not featured in this pic which was taken on Sept 11th!)

the song

Halo

by Beyonce

the voting deets

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

the interview
Who’s the someone special you'll be singing to tonight?
My best friend Fathin, we just click!

If you have only $1 to spend together, what would you spend it on?
I’ll buy a can of green tea and split it with her. We are green tea lovers! (Tabby certainly does love her green tea – she freaked one time when the vending machine where they always sit and wait ran out of green tea!)

If you only $100 to spend together, what would you spend it on?
We’ll go to City Square in JB and shop! Cos she’s from JB, so she’ll know her way around all the shops!

What’s your big hope/dream for them?
I know she really wants to be a fashion designer. She definitely has the talent. She has the best style. Right now she’s doing the JC thing to please her mom, but I hope she’ll be able to talk to her mom about doing the fashion route instead.

Classic us...

We used to come up with nicknames for everyone – every single person in class had a nickname, and all the teachers did too, as well as the people that we regularly talk to. And its just between the two of us so that we could talk in code about them and they would never know!

What do you have in common?
Everything! We have the same taste in guys, clothes etc! We just click! Even our moms are almost the same! Both our moms are born in January and they have similar personalities.

Click here to go to Tabby's full profile page.

Airi

just cos 'Sezairi' is too complicated to type :) His gf's shortform is nicer...its Airie <-- lov the 'e' on the end.

the song

Ordinary People

by John Legend

the voting deets

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

each call/sms costs 60cents

the interview
Who’s the someone special you'll be singing to tonight?
Abu Suffian Yap, he’s my best friend. We click on a level that’s beyond chemistry. We met four years ago at some chalet gathering/party. We were both into the same girl. But then we clicked, so we both gave up on the girl and became friends!

If you have only $1 to spend together, what would you spend it on?
We’ll go get McDonald’s ice cream – at 50 cents we can get one each!

If you only $100 to spend together, what would you spend it on?
Eat $100 worth of pizza! Its our favourite food – probably Hawaiian or Meatlovers!

What’s your big hope/dream for them?
My biggest hope for him is that one day he’ll be a successful DJ.

Classic Moment.

We always take the car and hang out at the cemetery at like 2–3am. We go there to scare ourselves! We’ve checked out almost all the cemeteries in Singapore. I’ll like sit in the car and then turn off the music and say, ‘Let’s just absorb the scariness’. There was once after we did that, we turned off the engine and then we saw something that scared us and when we wanted to start the engine again, it wouldn’t start! Turns out we forgot to turn off the aircon switch, once we did that we could start the engine again – phew!

What do you have in common?
Music. We have the same taste in music – like lounge, drum & bass and house.
Girls. Similar taste, but I like girls with specs and he likes girls with braces – put them together and we go after super geeky girls! J
Online games. We play DotA (Defense of The Ancients).

Click here to go to Airi's full profile page.

summerr's quickie take :

I've heard from producers that Airi's 'Ordinary People' is the one to look out for tonight - I haven't even had a sneak peek at it cos I never seem to be able to catch him in practice!

But in my opinion, the standouts will probably be the power ballads - namely Halo (we know Tabby can do this well), Hero (we're all waiting for Mae's 'awesome' moment to happen and this just might be the song) and When You Believe (Sylvia's first big ballad).

Not to be underestimated, Malaque's 'Because You Loved Me'. You've seen the practice vid... if she can keep calm and remember all her lyrics (cos forgetting the lyrics always throws her off), this could be her 'moment' too.

I personally am not so familiar with Charlie's song choice, so I can't comment. Duane's song is a classic - Elliot Yamin blew me away with his take - this kinda song requires the singer to understand and FEEL it - I can only hope Duane pulls out all the stops and does the song justice.

Am surprised Amira chose Back At One. Its quite 'low profile' and laid back. But knowing Amira, she'll probably whip out those powerhouse vocals and power-ballad her way through it.

Last but not least, Faizal - we know he can do this song well, he's sung it many times, my biggest wish for him tonight is to get all the diction for this wordy song spot on :) - he will so KILL it if he does ! :)

Go IDOLS! I'll be there in spirit k! Do your best and give it your all - 1000%!

much love Top 9,

xoxo, s.

ps. In case you still don't know the songs they'll be singing tonight and are curious, no need to Youtube it, I've done all the homework...just click here :)

pps. here are two practice vids I managed to record at vocal training last weekend (I was holding off on posting them here cos i was hoping to catch one of each of them practice - aiya so difficult cos my time with them is so limited...anyway...here you go...Malaque and Sylvia's practice vids). You can also check out other random vids I've put up at my youtube channel).