The One With The Interviews

Idol Dance History!

Sorry to say, but all four of them have absolutely no formal training in dance. Zilch. Zero. Nada. Nil.

But hey, that doesn't mean they can't move. I realised last Idol Day that I haven't been 'interviewing' them the last few weeks - dunno how it coulda slipped my mind - tsk - so I decided to interview them again, the old-fashioned way. Armed with notebook and pen, I scribbled furiously as they rattled off their answers.

Here are this week's 'dance-related' interviews with your Top 4, in order of performance.

Any dance history? Formal lessons?

No dance history at all. Except that I've always wanted to be a ballerina. But my mom put me in taekwando! (So strange, I'm the total opposite! I always wanted to do Taekwando, but my Mom made me do ballet as a kid!)

What's your earliest memory of dancing?

Having to dance with my cousins at like family gatherings and christmas parties etc. My mom and aunties always liked to watch the younger ones perform. We had a Spice Girl routine cos there were 4 of us, I was Sporty Spice! The first song I ever performed was 'Wanna Be'! I was 4 years old!

When was your first boy-girl dance and who was it with?

In kindergarten, they used to have dances at the Christmas parties in Hong Kong (Tabby went to an international pre-school when her family lived in Hong Kong for 2 years, her sister Serena was born in Hong Kong), and I danced with this boy called Christian Zangellini. (Incidentally, this boy was also named as Tabby's first crush in one of her early interviews with Izked.) Aww so cute!

What's your favourite style of dance? What do you enjoy watching?

I totally don't understand interpretive dance! I'm like wuuuutt??

I think the most fun dance is like salsa and tango - they're so sexy!

If you could dance with anyone at all, who would it be?

OMG Justin Timberlake *drool*

Any dance history? Formal lessons?

No dance history. But I've always believed I could dance, like in my head, I believed I was decent. But when I dance, my friends always say, 'you should look at yourself in the mirror. don't dance.'

What's your earliest memory of dancing?

In primary school (primary 5 or 6), there was a 10th Anniversary concert and I was chosen to do a rap. I had like 20 back-up dancers! Actually I was one of the dancers, but then there was a rap part that they incorporated and one of the teachers saw that I could rap, so she made me the rapper. I even have a VCD of it but no way am I gonna bring it out!

When was your first boy-girl dance and who was it with?

Prom. In Secondary School. I was 16. It was my first slow dance with a girl, and apparently this girl liked me (or so she alluded), but she didn't tell me. I was such a geek. And she was one of the prettiest girls in school.

What's your favourite style of dance? What do you enjoy watching?

Lyrical Hip-Hop. (Like the stuff choreographers Tabitha & Napoleon come up with on So You Think You Can Dance! Super amazing stuff!)

If you could dance with anyone at all, who would it be?

Leighton Meester!

(for the blur, Leighton Meester plays Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl.)

Any dance history? Formal lessons?

No dance background, but I love to dance and to freestyle.

What's your earliest memory of dancing?

My Mom would always tell me that when I was young, like really little, I would go around dancing to my own tune, like, around the house.

When was your first boy-girl dance and who was it with?

In secondary school, there was some kind of Teacher's Day show and they would play some music in the break and people would dance. I can't remember who I danced with though. (I ask her, 'Was this a slow dance?' to which Sylvia said 'No'.)

So when was your first slow dance with a boy then?

To me, having a slow dance is very intimate. My first slow dance was when I was in my first serious relationship with my first boyfriend at 18. (awwww...)

What's your favourite style of dance? What do you enjoy watching?

Hip Hop, Pop & Lock.

If you could dance with anyone at all, who would it be?

Taylor Lautner! I'm not sure if he can dance, but even if he can't, its okay, I'll just dance and hold on to his abs!

(OMG LOL!)

Any dance history? Formal lessons?

No, not really. I teach beatboxing at this place called 'Natasha Studio' and the owner, Larry, is a breakdance teacher, so he teaches me a bit on and off. This started about a year ago.

What's your earliest memory of dancing?

Every time I do something clumsy like bump into things or knock over something, my Mom reminds me of the time I danced with her and stepped on her feet, that was when I was 5 or 6 years old.

When was your first boy-girl dance and who was it with?

My first real boy-girl dance was a few years ago. I went clubbing with Sherry, and was happily dancing away, doing some really chinky-chinese moves. I didn't realise until the next morning that I must have had two left feet, but Sherry was very encouraging. I don't know why, when I'm on my back or my hands, things seem to go well, but my feet just cannot. Once, during choreo, I was just walking from point A to point B, and Zaki said, "Charles, you really shouldn't dance." LOL!

Sherry goes for hip hop class and she can pull it off quite well, so even like last night, she came over to help me groove! ...... I still have 2 left feet.

What's your favourite style of dance? What do you enjoy watching?

B-boying definitely! For people in Korea, its like a staple form of dance. There's this move called the 'air-track' and its very cool, they get on their hands and their legs do the windmill and they just like keep flippin'! Its amazing!

If you could dance with anyone at all, who would it be?

(after much thought) I'll dance with William Hung or Steven Lim (ugh?! ugly gladiator stripper guy from season 1? Ew!), cos next to them, I won't look so bad! LOL!

Wanna hear something freaky? Halfway transcribing these interviews, I realised I must be clairvoyant cos I actually interviewed them in the order of this week's performance (before the info was released by producers!) How weird is that? Coincidence? I think not. I MUST be clairvoyant....psychic network here I come. Ok, its 2.45am, this post shoulda been out before midnight but I got sidetracked watching 16 & Pregnant on mtv.com. (Thanks a lot Ash! pfft!)

Ok, gotta turn in now...its late..and guess what peeps...its IDOL DAY! Woot!

xoxo, s.

ps. One more WOOT! Cos its IDOL DAY!

pps. Don't forget to catch Tabby and SylSyl on 987FM with Dan & Young in the morning at 9am! Dan & Young, you gotta make Tabby do 'Jessica' on radio!

Parents' Choice tonight - some interviews & pics

3 Interviews, 3 sets of Pics & 1 missing Idol?

Backstories @ My Folks Love This

Wonder why the parents chose the songs they did for tonight's show (song choices are listed in the left sidebar)? See below....

(sorry ah, this post a bit rojak! just read on and bear with me k?)

3 sets of pics

Last week, I asked one of the producers to help me take some pics at each of the Idols' homes as they went to shoot their lil weekly profiles. Unfortunately they got so caught up, they managed to only get pics from 3 of the Idols' homes. I say some better than none right? Here's a lil peek into the homes of Charles, Tabby & Faizal.

Tabitha & Mom

Mr & Mrs Nauser (both good looking - Mommy looks like Ms Sri Lanka and Daddy looks like George Clooney/Richard Gere! - no wonder Tabby is HAWT!) chose the song 'Summertime' for the simple reason that its Mrs Nauser's favourite song! I say Mommy has good taste in music.... definitely a song Tabby can handle.

Faizal & Parents

Faizal's parents decided on 'The Reason' by Hoobastank for tonight because they feel that no one is perfect (first line of the song goes 'I'm not a perfect person'), and neither is Faizal, but his imperfections are what make him 'perfect' for their family. Everbody say awwww :)

We love Faizal just the way he is too!

Charles & Parents

Mr & Mrs Wong are so smiley :) no wonder Charlie's so smiley :)

They chose Corinne May's song 'Fly Away' for Charles because they love this song. Charles sang it at his grandma's funeral a while back, and he told me it made him cry. It is a beautiful song, and hopefully it will touch the hearts of many and keep Charles on the show.

3 Interviews

(thank you Mae, Airi and Duane who took the time out to reply!)

Mae's parents chose this song cos Wizard of Oz is her Mom's favourite movie :)

Mae says :

"It’s a classic song that they liked and when I was young I loved to watch The Wizard of Oz and Grease…..and I don’t think “Grease Lightning” would be a good competition songJ Hee hee. So they chose this oneJ"

1. Lets get to know the rents'...

Mom's Name : Sandra Vernie
Mom's age :55
Mom's occupation : A stay at home Grandma to 3 Grandchildren under the age of 4
(I just wanna say I met Mae's mum for the first time last week after the show and Mae is exactly like her - hand gestures, speech patterns...everything - its so adorable! Love Mae's mum, she's just the cutest!)

Dad's name :Hans Vernie
Dad's age :60
Dad's occupation :Bus Driver

2. What do you think of the song choice?

LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3. Whats your fave thing about your mom?

How I can tell her anything because she loves me unconditionally and will always stand up for me! Her heart is soooo big!

4. Whats your fave thing about your dad?

He’s very ZEN about everything, he’s taught me how to be calm and to LOVE…..

5. If you could choose a song to represent your parents, what would it be?

'I Saw Her Standing There' by the Beatles because my dad says it represents how they met and fell in love.
(isn't that the sweetest? You can tell Mae's parents are quite sentimental folk ya :))

6. How do you think the Idol journey has been so far for your parents?

I think it’s been a very hard journey for them because when they are not in Singapore, they feel a bit helpless because they can’t vote or watch it on TV live…but they’ve learned just to trust that they given me all the tools to be strong and independent. I love themJ

Airi's parents chose this song for him cos his Dad is a huge Ray Charles fan. But Airi will be doing the Jamie Foxx version of this song.

Airi says :

"My dad is an avid Ray Charles fan, he has old Ray Charles vinyls and he loves listening to jazz. He always blasts his stereo with jazz and blues music every night since I was born!"

1. Lets get to know the rents'...

Mom's Name : Rubiah Chayan

Mom's age : 47

Mom's occupation : housewife

Dad's name : Sezali Suliman

Dad's age : 50

Dad's occupation : despatch rider

2. What do you think of the song choice?

I honestly think its an honour to be able to do a cover of this song and I hope I can deliver it well. I'm sure if I could do that, it will be a good performance

3. Whats your fave thing about your mom?

Her positive attitude. Having to live with a replacement aortic valve in her heart and having to be on several types of medication everyday of her life has never stopped her from doing what she wants to do. She is optimistic and never fails to smile, anyone who has met my mom would say the same thing. She's my inspiration!

4. Whats your fave thing about your dad?

His passion for the things he loves, he's an audiophile enthusiast and will spend hours and days just to get the right sound. he's a perfectionist. (so THAT's where you get it from Airi!)

5. If you could choose a song to represent your parents, what would it be?

L.O.V.E.! (awww...psst I only the hi-five version!)

6. How do you think the Idol journey has been so far for your parents?

Exciting. I've never seen them more excited about anything else than this. Its nice to see them being so supportive

Duane's parents chose 'Imagine', the John Lennon classic because of its deep meaning. But Mom has chosen the David Archuleta version because it suits Duane's voice.

1. Let's get to know the 'rents :

Mom's Name : Ange Ho
Mom's age : '29'
Mom's occupation : Counsellor

Dad's name : Nelson Ho
Dad's age : 50+
Dad's occupation : Project Manager

2. What do you think of the song choice?
I like it. I made it my own cause I really liked the song.
(Duane will be playing the piano for tonight's performance :))

3. Whats your fave thing about your mom?
She's honest and she gives good advice.

4. Whats your fave thing about your dad?
He sends me everywhere without complaining. More sending back and forth between school and Mediacorp.

5. If you could choose a song to represent your parents, what would it be?
Flaws And All - Beyonce
(aww, what a great choice - love this answer!)

6. How do you think the Idol journey has been so far for your parents?
Unexpected and full of ups and downs. Fun nonetheless cause they get to scream their hearts out to support me every Wednesday. So cute!

Sylvia's parents chose 'Warwick Avenue' by Duffy because they want Sylvia to bring back the magic of Duffy's 'Mercy'.

Sorry peeps, unfortunately for us, producers didn't manage to get any pics at her place nor did she reply my email.

So to make up for that, here are some more behind-the-scenes pics of Sylvia from the trailer shoot, hammin' it up in her 'school uniform' with Sezairi. Click to enlarge :)

Lastly, apologies again that this week's interviews/pics are not 100%. Wish I could spend 24/7 with the Idols like Iz gets to, but unfortunately, this is the best I can do for now :P I was away for a few days (family stuff) and I already had Idol withdrawal symptoms - missed the roadshow, profile shoots etc...aiya and I missed them a whole lot!

Anyway, hope you enjoyed what I put together above, more posts to come today - busy blogging day for me - its IDOL DAY people!

xoxo, s.

Singapore : What Have You Done?

What?!

*What to expect in this post - I rant and ramble a little, make an appeal, then calm down and post videos. But you gotta read the rant first*

I mean, seriously, Syltra's out?! ....What?!

If you think I've gone deaf, don't worry, I haven't. My incredulous tone refers to Syltra's shocking exit on last night's show.

In my opinion, she was one of the best voices and musicians on the show.

What is UP Singapore? Are you not interested in Idol anymore? Do you not care anymore? Why aren't you all picking up the phone and voting? How could you let THIS one go? tsk to you.

I'm not talking about your average tween girl here, we KNOW these girls are voting.

I'm talking about everyone else who watches the show.

Don't forget Singapore, Idol is not worth watching if WE don't contribute. WE are the ones who make the decisions - not the judges (they only get ONE measly save), not even the producers (they just select camera angles and assign voting numbers).

WE are the ones who DIRECTLY affect the musical quality of the show. WE, THE VOTERS are DIRECTLY responsible for keeping the TALENT on the show.

First season, Jeassea K. Thyidor. Need I say more?

I geddit, most people assumed she would get votes - she was the total package, and so everyone worked to save the others. I get it. Stupid mistake. New to the show bla bla bla.

Singapore,..... how come you never learn wan ah?

Syltra was already a Judges' Save. Which means the votes weren't enough to put her through. Doesn't that tell you something? She needed your votes.

At the rate this is going, we'll be down to just the boys in 6 weeks. I can't bear to watch. Mae, Tabby, Sylvia, Amira, Nurul and Malaque are just waiting to be cut. Not that the boys aren't talented, they are. Its just that, I want to see a fair fight. (Ok, I can hear some of you say, 'fair' doesn't figure in this kind of competition.)

I'm sure Idol's viewers aren't just 14 year olds with so much allowance money it puts my grocery budget to shame, right? If you're at home watching, please, please, please, if you enjoy the show or any of the performances, please vote to show them your support and help them achieve their dreams.

Singapore Idol is such an amazing platform for local music, but it will soon become a laughing stock and a farce if this wonky voting continues. Don't let that happen.

The Straits Times lambasted the show even before auditions began and now it looks like people are just following that sentiment blindly without giving it much thought. I took issue with that because I think those 'Idol-trashing' articles were driven more by media rivalry and politics, than based on the actual show.

For all the 'rigging' people think happens on the show (and there really isn't any, they sing, you vote, results are audited, how to rig?), no one can deny that the 'Idol' brand name and the nature of the show makes the winner (as well as most of the Top 13) household names within a very short period of time.

Say what you want about Taufik and Hady, at least people KNOW who they are. Unless you're a fan of the other singing reality shows, can you even remember the winners' names? Where are THEY?

I believe in this show. Yes I'm obviously a fan. But that aside, I genuinely feel that the kind of exposure this show gives these aspiring singers is just priceless.

If you love music, if you think that young people should pursue their dreams, and/or if you watch the show and enjoy it, please please vote and make a difference in these talented young people's lives.

We did it twice before with Taufik and Hady, we voted right, we churned out talent, we can do it again.

Say it with me...Girl Idol.

Say it. Believe it. VOTE FOR IT.

To Syltra, be seein' you soon k. I totally believe in your talent, go out there and do a 'Daughtry'! I know you can! Like Gurms says it may be the end of your journey here on Idol, but your musical journey still has a long way to go - make use of this platform while its still hot girl! :)

Here's Syltra singing her way off the show. On Channel 5 it got cut off, but I managed to film the entire song, a bit blur, but oh well....

Ok.

I've had my rant. Here's Syltra's exit interview. I was there when vlogger Matt recorded Iz and Jon interviewing her after the show. So I tumpang record.

All credits go to Matt at www.matt.sg (check out his site, loads of other interviews, including with SI 2's Paul Twohill and Jasmin Tye).

I also managed to catch Gurms for a quick chat on what he thought about last night's show - he was on the way to the gym (can you believe it? at like midnight!). Here's what he had to say....

Check out my next post, which will be a review of last night's show, followed by some vids I grabbed of the Idols at keycheck.

xoxo, s.

Singapore Idol Hady & Idol Judge Ken on CNA - FULL VIDEO

Found Full Interview Video!

It was at the Prime Time Morning site! (duh!) Click thru to the site then click on the 'Singapore Idol' link next to the pic of Hady/Ken.

OR JUST CLICK ON THIS PIC LA! :)

Enjoy!

xoxo, s.