Episode 15 is up!

Episode 15 : Spectacular 9 You Asked For It + Results

Woot! This week's episode is now up! Watch your Top 5 sing for their lives in this week's Spectacular 9 : You Asked For It!

Thank you nazamania.

Watching the end of the Results show over, watching Faizal sing his exit song...sigh....I feel really sad cos he was one of the most determined and focused contestants. He really wanted this. REALLY. It's his dream and it tugs at the tearducts when you see someone's dream journey come to an end.

Faizal Mraz, I wish you all the best. Hone your diction and expand your repertoire beyond Mraz k. I expect to see a LOT more of you as you and your career matures. I'm sure this isn't the last we've seen of him. Make use of this window of 'fame' to get out there and get heard :)

Lotsa love babe... (see you soon!)

xoxo, s.

ps. :( Am so gonna miss that big smile and hug that greets me whenever I see him. He really is just the sweetest and most polite, well-mannered 17 yr old. I once commented that he always folded and hung up his clothes very neatly at trailer/photoshoots and he said very earnestly, "I always take care of my clothes because from young, I always get sponsored the performing clothes, so must take care cos have to return." So sweet and considerate right? There are some artistes out there who have been doing this for years and people still have to pick up after them.

Idol out : Faizal Isa

Unbelievable.

Are you surprised? I was still surprised after half an hour. I believed Faizal to be invincible. Seriously. I thought he'd go all the way to Final 2 judging from the amount of support he gets wherever he goes. His fans are rabid (and I say that in the most positive kowtow way possible).

The scream-o-meter always hits RED whenever he makes an entrance, be it at a mall, on stage, or even off a bus. I did not expect him to go home tonight.

Plus, I thought he did okay considering he was quite ill - lost his voice, couldn't hit the notes he wanted to - the song was a good choice and in typical Faizal fashion - a hit with his fans. I enjoyed it too, although I could see that his energy level wasn't his usual, probably owing to him being sick.

Here's his exit song and his exit interview with Idol TV (unedited version, think of my cam as the b-roll...all NGs included!).

Kudos to Faizal for making it this far. He's just 17. Top 5 is a great achievement. Imo, he's grown so much as a performer too from the time we saw him at auditions to now. Yes he needs some work on his diction, but I think he's got everything else going for him. A few more years of training and who knows where he'll be :) He went from Mummy's boy to Singapore Idol's resident heartthrob.

I also give him major props for being so focused, eyes on the prize, amidst the negative comments from the Judges week after week, especially recently. He has also never failed to take care of his family, friends and fans with many kind words and that great megawatt smile.

I'm gonna miss Faizal and that smile, I love his smile, it has a way of making you feel important. Definitely not the last we'll see of this sweet boy.

We love ya Faizal Isa! The Idol family will always continue to be the 'wings behind your back' too! ;)

Btw, Faizal's Idol journey may have ended,but we'll still be seeing him next week! Yay! Faizal will be back for the group performances on Spectacular 10's results show with Nurul, Amira, Farhan, Duane and Malaque. Justin and Mae are in US and Australia respectively and won't be able to make it :(

xoxo, s.

ps. Thanks to Ash for the great pics. Check out Ash's pics on the SI Facebook page.

Song List for 'You Asked For It' FINALLY!

Its just before 9pm, you SHOULD be watching the last of your Top 5 perform right now.

Here's what they sang tonight (and the vids of the original songs).

LINES ARE STILL OPEN! VOTE VOTE VOTE!

"Beautiful Soul" by Jesse McCartney

- this song totally puts him in 'heartthrob' mode :)

"The Climb" by Miley Cyrus

- Not a bad song choice, lyrics are meaningful. Tabby's voice isn't like Miley's, but they are both powerful, so hope Tabby did good. Iz watched her at rehearsals and said she was awesome!

"Cry" by Mandy Moore

- I love this song (and the movie - wahlao cried til my eyes were bengkak) but I love Sylvia's version of this song EVEN MORE! While Mandy's version was fairly light, Sylvia's version has got so much more soul.

"Wherever You Will Go" by The Calling

- This song always reminds me of Smallville (its on the soundtrack) and I love that show, and this song too. Since Charles sang it with just his guitar, I'm sure it was wonderful (this is a scheduled post).

"Virtual Insanity" by Jamiroquai

- Very interesting song suggestion/choice. The song is laidback and cool, but not easy to sing. I hope Airi pulled it off. Not easy to emulate or re-interpret the great JayKay.

Hope you enjoyed the show. Come back at 10pm to find out what next week's theme is. You have just under an hour to VOTE - so keep VOTING!!!!!

xoxo, s.

ps. Am backstage right now with the LODIs, so follow my tweets/twitpics for live updates :)

Its IDOL DAY!

LOVE/HATE IDOL DAY

:)

I love Wednesdays....

cos we get to watch the Idols perform in all their full made-up, pimped-out, amped-up glory! I love going down to the studio and experiencing Idol LIVE. The atmosphere there is amazing - screaming fans, blaring music, more screaming fans. What's not to like?

Oh, and I get to 'curi' kopi from the Judges' room once in a while heh heh - always a great pick me up!

:(

I hate Wednesdays...

cos at 10.27pm, someone leaves the competition. Someone's idol dream comes to an abrupt halt. Its such a downer.

Oh well, lets not dwell on that shall we - lets look forward to the performance show, happening in less than 6 hours.

I'm actually looking forward to the group performance too, check out Iz's vid of the choreo rehearsal. I love BEP and this song always gets me goin', and if the Idols pull it off with the right amount of 'tude (which I'm sure they will), this will be quite enjoyable! :)

Will be off to the studio in about 4 hours time, keep a look out for my tweets/twitpics, and scheduled updates throughout the night! :)

8pm....WATCH & VOTE k!

xoxo, s.

ps. Gotta admit, one of my other fave parts of Idol Day is wardrobe watching :) hehe. I love seeing what the Idols are dressed in for both shows. Its like living vicariously. When there were more girls, it was like wah shoe-heaven!

pps. So weird, normally I'll post song list etc today, but er, cannot say...so...got nothing to post. Voting deets are on the left sidebar for quick reference :)

Performance Order out!

I STILL can't tell you what their singing....

but I can tell you who's opening and closing the show, and the 3 in between ;) PLUS your voting deets....

Here we go, this week's performance order for Spectacular 9 : You Asked For It :

Group song to be performed at Results Show : 'I Gotta Feeling' by the Black Eyed Peas :)

Ok, since I can't tell you exactly WHAT they are singing, howsabout I give you guys an idea of some of the songs that were submitted by fans? :) At least got some info rite? Whether they ended up choosing the song or not, you'll have to wait and see on Idol Day - just 2 days away mah....

Plus, I managed to record some of them trying out those song suggestions too!

Faizal :

Wait For You by Elliot Yamin

One Less Lonely Girl by Justin Bieber

Goodnight and Goodbye by the Jonas Brothers

To Make You Feel My Love by Kris Allen

Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCartney

Tabitha :

You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift

Single Ladies by Beyonce

Behind These Hazel Eyes by Kelly Clarkson

Mama Do by Pixie Lott

Falling For You by Colbie Callait

Sylvia :

No One by Alicia Keys

Footprints In The Sand by Leona Lewis

Because Of You by Kelly Clarkson

Chain Of Fools by Aretha Franklin

If I Were A Boy by Beyonce

Charles :

Apologise by One Republic

September by Earth Wind & Fire

Hey There Delilah by Plain White Ts

Fireflies by Owl City

No Boundaries by Kris Allen

Sezairi :

Drops of Jupiter by Train

Collide by Howie Day

Mad World by Adam Lambert

If You Don't Wanna Love Me by James Morrison

One Last Cry by Brian McKnight

So what do you think they'll pick? Your guess is as good as anyone's at this stage :) So lets watch on Idol Day!!

xoxo, s.

ps. 3 more bonus random vids recorded last Wednesday night at Keycheck :)

Good morning! - Why I Wanna Win vids :)

Good morning Idol-ites! :)

Its 5.45am and in about 15 minutes time, your Top 5 will be tumbling yawning and sleepy-eyed into the spooky quiet make-up unit at Caldecott Hill. Yep, today's makeup call is at 6am - crazy or what rite?

While they fall asleep in their makeup chair getting all dolled up and gorgeous for a full day of profile shoots with FIVE lucky fans for next week's You Asked For It Spectacular, have a look at why they want to win the Idol crown so bad and what it means for them.

These were from an earlier post, but I figured best to put your Top5 together :)

Bless 'em, all 5 of 'em. Can't help but love them all - gettin' tougher and tougher every week to see them go.

xoxo, s.

ps. Check out some really fun fanvids by sabrinaathestrange - I love her stuff (and so do the Idols)! here's a sample! Check out more Idol vids at her youtube page :)

Idol out : Duane Ho

Bye Bye Mr. Pussycat Doll :(

As I was walking to the Tv Theatre today, I wondered if tonight's votes would be the same as it has been for the past 4 weeks - that Singapore would be sending home yet another talented female contestant.

Looks like Mae's exit last week has given voters a wake-up call, the person packing their bags this week is Duane. The youngest contestant at 16, Duane has NEVER been in the bottom 3 much less the bottom 2. Tonight he was both, and finally, surprisingly, got the boot.

Duane went from a judges' pet to weekly ridicule and I give him props for taking all that in, especially at just 16. Its not easy standing there and being judged. Despite the judges' lack of support, Duane got support, and apparently in spades as he coasted through week after week - safe from being in the bottom.

I wonder what happened - either his fans decided he was getting slammed too much they decided to not prolong his torture (doubtful) or the fans of the other idols and previously eliminated contestants have rallied together to pool their votes to change the voting pattern.

Well, whatever it is, its still sad to see Duane go. He's such a sweet kid and we've all come to know and love him. Those closest to him took it the hardest - Tabby and Faizal, who together with him and Farhan made up the 'Awesome Foursome'.

Here's Duane's exit song and exit interview.

Haven't watched his performance on tv yet, but what I saw/heard at the theatre LIVE wasn't too bad. In fact, I thought he was rather refreshing, a nice combo of piano playing and stage presence.

Anyway, Duane, the Idol journey may be over, but you made it to Top 6! Thats an achievement and you know you'll always always be a part of the Idol family! Keep dreaming big my dear! Love ya Duane!

xoxo, s.

10pm Next week's theme?

Its almost 10pm, lines will close in just 10 minutes....and if you're really on the ball, you'll already know what next week's theme is! :)

Its Spectacular 9 next week and YOU were asked to participate by suggesting songs for the Top 5 to sing. The winners of this contest will be announced on the Results Show (within the next half hour) so make sure you are AVAILABLE on Thursday and/or Friday for shoots if you WIN, cos you'll be needed for the Idols' profile shoot!

Congrats to the winners whoever you are ;) Lucky you, get to spend loads of time up close and personal with your Idol!

I've got an added request - to the winners - I'd like to do a video diary with you guys of the day you spent with your Idol - can? :) Will feature the vids on this blog! So I'll be in touch very soon!

If you didn't catch all that, next week's theme is You Asked For It - basically its viewers' choice. Check out my previous post to learn more.

As you've guessed, this is a scheduled post, cos I'm at the studio, probably gritting my teeth, and crushing whoever's hand I'm grasping or shoulder I'm grabbing! Tweets/twitpics here!

xoxo, s.

YOU ASKED FOR IT Spectacular 9

A week Ago, producers gave you all an

assignment....think of songs you'd like your

idols to sing.

that's right - YOU CHOOSE.

Email me at summerrstv@live.com and tell me what you'd like your Idols to sing for Spectacular 9, 'You Asked For It's comin' up next month, November 18th.

Closing date : midnight on 6th November.

Do it. DO IT NOW.

So far, the response has been very encouraging. What are people asking for? Everyone seems to want Duane to sing 'Apologise' by One Republic. For more responses, have a look at my previous post about this.

Remember to leave your contact details because producers will choose 2 winners from this contest and those winners will get a chance to spend time with their Idols on their profile shoot (which is done a few days before Idol Day)....don't wanna miss THAT out now do you?

If you don't wanna leave your contact details here on comments (who would anyway?) - email them to me directly...summerrstv@live.com.

Good luck all and have fun playing 'producer/musical director/vocal coach' !

xoxo, s.

Idol Needs YOU!

"YOU ASKED FOR IT!"

Thats the theme for Spectacular 9, coming up on November 18th...and YOU, yes YOU...are going to decide what the Idols will be singing on that night!

That's right. Singapore gets a say!

Isn't that awesome that you as the viewer get a say in what's gonna be sung on the show? And you know what its like, everyone always has something to say about an Idols' song choice - this time, the song choice is in YOUR hands :) so don't screw up hehehe :)...

Anyway, all you gotta do is submit your song of choice (name of song and singer please) and your name and contact details via email (summerrstv@live.com) to me or post those deets under the 'comments' section below (would be nice to see what everyone wants everyone to sing :))

Your name/contact details are important cos producers want YOU on the show :) Plus you may even get a chance to meet and hang out with your idols on their profile shoots before the show! Awesome possum and easy peasy?

Cool surprise not? :) So, get crackin'....deadline is midnight on 6th November.

Oh and if you're still watching Channel5 right now, you should check out the new show Lose To Win, hosted by Gurms too, which is Ch5's version of the 'big' weight loss challenge show 'The Biggest Loser'. Wow, its like Gurmit night :) He's on Idol at 8pm, Lose To Win at 9pm and Idol again at 10pm :) <-- the guy works hard for his money!

xoxo, s.

ps. Don't get crackin' on song choices NOW now though, keep voting...you still have about an hour left before the lines close!

pps. Check back at 10pm to find out what NEXT WEEK's theme is gonna be :)

UDPATE :

Just a note to all, keep emailing me your suggestions. Don't worry, if you typed the address right (two 'r's please :)), I'll have gotten your suggestions, but due to the expected overwhelming response, I won't be replying each and every one of your emails unless I need more info k? Do a reply receipt if you wanna be 'sure' it got to me k?

cheers all!

xoxo, s.