Idol 3's MJ & Tabby ... Breathe ....

Once, Twice, Three Times....
That's the number of times I've actually seen this song performed, and each time, I love it MORE!


The First Time
It was the Second Day of Theatre Auditions for Singapore Idol 3. MJ Kuok and Tabitha Nauser teamed up for the song-writing challenge and wowed Judge Florence Lian so much that she vowed to put it on radio (unfortunately this has yet to happen as a full version was never recorded - until now. Whether it'll get on local radio - we'll just have to see).

Second Time
Everyone loved the song so much that MJ and Tabby made a Youtube video on their own :) These two got chemistry eh ;)



Third Time
When MJ tagged me just yesterday on this video which he released for Valentine's Day for everyone to share and guess what, its climbed up to #24 on Youtube for most watched! That's just awesome crazy innit??



Love and miss you guys tons. This post goes out to MJ, Ms Nauser and Cilla Chan (who took over vocals for Tabby here), and all the LODIs of 2009 :)


...I can't breathe....:)


xoxo, s.


ps. Love the percussion - reminds me a little of Paula Cole's 'I Don't Wanna Wait', the theme song for Dawson's Creek.


pps. I know I haven't blogged for-everr, since OMG! ended, but I HAD to put this post out there. Too good not to share :) So please, keep liking and sharing the video - pass it on!

Gorgeous Tabby by Duane Ho

Isn't she lovely.......

The pic says it all right? Click to enlarge.

Thats Tabby for you right there, fresh, authentic, natural and gorgeous. Kudos to Duane Ho for such a great picture - I love how its so calm and reflective. Btw, if you remember, in Duane's profile, he did say he's into photography ;)

More pics Duane!

One more update : Sylvia Ratonel's YouTube Channel has officially been launched...check it out here. Oh, and how's this for irony, SylSyl's using a Motorola her tweets come from 'MotoBLUR'...hello....perfect much? BLURest Idol-we-love right using MotoBLUR? So cute hor! Its like the perfect app for her. Don't forget to drop by Iluma Bugis this weekend (Sat and Sun)to catch SylSyl in action - 5pm.

Okie dokes, thats it for tonight, catch you tomorrow for American Idol 9 episode 4 - Orlando!

Nitey nite folks!

xoxo, s.

ps. In case you've missed the gazillion tweets and my previous post - catch Farhan and his band heregoesnoth!ng at the Esplanade (Concourse) tomorrow & Friday, 7pm - 8.45pm. Support local music y'all!

Singapore Idol Updates

Quickie Update on our own Idols...

Am camped outside my son's class, he's 2 and a half by the way, in case you think I'm at some primary school. And no I'm not leeching off their internet .....I have a dongle. (@tabithagizelle and @duaneho, one day I will get a BERSCHKAdongle! Note to self, must write to Berschka and ask them to sell dongles)

Update #1a :

Amira's performing at Esplanade today (19th Jan) and tomorrow (20th Jan) with her show choir.

Update #1b :

Farhan and his band heregoesnoth!ng will also be performing at the Esplanade. Check them out at Esplanade Concourse, Thursday (21st Jan) and Friday (22nd Jan), 7.00pm to 8.45pm.

Update #2 :

Sylvia's performing this weekend at Iluma Bugis. Saturday & Sunday (23rd/24th Jan) at 5pm for the launch of Motorola's new phone. Check her out!

Update #3 :

Singapore Idol Airi met up with music execs from Universal over the weekend when he booked out from camp and alls goin' well. From what I hear, they're still on track for an April/May album launch - so yippeeee! As we already know, Airi submitted like 10 songs to Universal to consider for the album, word is, they likey some. So the album will be a mix of his own stuff and some new stuff they'll be recording with him! I'm excited, are you?

And now, for some Idol video updates!

Video #1

Check out our boys Faizal and Duane.

This is Jay Sean's 'Down'. Love the harmonies.

Video #2

This is their second vid together ;) and a little more 'produced' haha. Good job boys. I like the whole vid. Very cute! I'm surprised you guys didn't do the 'elevator' trick...

Enjoy (cos I did :))


Don't you just love 'em? So cute la. Duane boy, love your voice in this one :)

Video #3

This one's been on Youtube for a while now. Justin recorded this at one of the sessions at Ann Hussein's place. I had no idea it was recording sound, and I think neither did Izked. You can hear him talking and me laughing on and off, we were right next to these crazy people. Aaah I miss those days!

Photo updates

(courtesy of @izked's tweetphotos and FannaOsman's FBpics)
Just on Sunday, our very own blonde prawn-lover Farhan Shah threw a fan bash for his fabulous fans. I dropped by unglamourously early, was told it was 4pm, so I strolled in at 4.30pm thinking I'd be fashionably late, only to be told, 'eh supposed to be 6pm la' *Fail*. Oh and get this, I was also told it was a belated bday party, wahlao, I musta been the only one toting a pressie and a card. No matter, Farhair, you likey rrriiiight??

Thanks to the lovely @FANNAosman for sharing her pics with me (and everyone reading this too! btw I had no idea what your pretty friend's name is thus the nick Pretty Young Thing (PYT). :))

Idol Day tomorrow wheeeeeeeeee!

xoxo, s.

3 hours to go! OMG!!!!

3 HOURS TO GO!!!!!!

Rehearsals are full swing, and here's a peek at some Idol randomness! Check it out, while I go back to where the action is....follow my tweets for updates and twitpics! :)

Tabby is cute right? :)

xoxo, s.

Idol out : Tabitha Nauser

Bye Bye Tabby :( *sob*

Definitely the most talented and confident 17-year old I have ever met. Ever the go-getter, Tabitha was fierce-competition from Day One. Not only was she talented and gorgeous, she had her eye on the prize. She may not have made it to Indoor Stadium, but in my eyes, and many others, Tabitha Nauser is, without a doubt, already a star.

Uncle Ken said that if it were up to the judges, they would have put her in the Finals. But it wasn't. It was up to Singapore. Whether they made the right or wrong choice is debatable, because in my opinion, all 3 deserve a spot at the finals. Quoting Ken again, he said at the start of the show, he wished it could be a Final 3 instead of just 2. I agree wholeheartedly.

Here's her exit interview - recorded on Iz's behalf as he was watching the Idol set being taken apart for the last time.

This was meant to be a vid of her exit performance, but having her Mum and Dad come on stage totally opened the floodgates and she just could not sing. Her Dad is just the sweetest and had given her a dozen white and red roses - so sweet right? How not to be emo and cry?

This next vid, was recorded between the performance and results shows. As always, bubbly and smiley, Tabby's just telling us how she was feeling at that point in time, who knew it would be a self-fulfilling prophecy!

I know there are some that deem Tabby 'arrogant', but that is just so far from the truth. Tabby is just such a lovely girl. She's friendly, open and not at all stuck-up. Her height, good looks and megawatt smile may make her seem intimidating, but she is actually very approachable and always at the ready to take pictures or have a chat with a fan. Despite the many 'haters' comments', Tabby has always been the smiliest, bubbliest one backstage at every show. Don't be so quick to 'judge' based on the barely two minutes of performance you see each week.

Anyway, after the interview, I asked her what would she be up to next (after the Grand Finals and Countdown show performances) and she said she'll be heading back to school to do her MassComm course. But somehow, I don't think this is the last we've seen of Tabby - I'm quite sure a number of broadcasting executives have got their eye on her for their own shows, so fingers crossed many projects come her way, so we can see/hear more of Tabby real soon.

As I was finishing up this post, this music video came on tv, and it was just so poignant and seemed appropriate. So this song is dedicated to you Tabby dear, from me. Eventhough you may be sad, 'don't play that broken-hearted girl', I believe in you and so do a whole lot of people, chin up babe!

.... don't forget to email you-know-who (told your parents about it!) and send in your Amazing Race application the minute you turn 18! Go with Mommy - it'll make for great tv!

xoxo, s.

ps. Don't forget to catch Tabby's exit interview on radio in the morning at 9am on 987FM with Dan & Young.

pps. Right after I published this post, a friend on Twitter sent me this link and omg, what a nice way to pay tribute to a great Idol contender. Watch. Props to campushawn who made the vid.

ppps. All photo credits to Ash & May. Thanks babes for being so chop chop fast with the uploads to Facebook!

Short week on Idol

Its Monday and tomorrow is Idol Day already!

What a short week this has been. It feels like we've just recovered from 'losing' Charlie and adjusting ourselves to the whole concept of Top 3 and gawd, before you know it, even that's out the window, the buzz-phrase from tomorrow 10.30pm onwards will be 'Final 2'.

So what have your Idols been up to this 'short week' since last Wednesday night? With no roadshow or music video to shoot, you may have had the misconception that our Top 3 were resting on their laurels.... not so.

Thursday was a much-deserved rest day. But come Friday, its back to 'work'. A full day profile shoot followed by individual 'chat' sessions with Judge (Uncle) Ken Lim at his office made for a super long day. (and lemmetellyou, I've had the pleasure of working with Uncle Ken, and I've had work 'chats' with him before, and peeps, next to the word 'loh-sor' in the Singlish Dictionary, you'll see Uncle Ken's face there (probably next to mine hehe). Don't get me wrong, imo, he's very wise and worldly (yes he is!) and I totally adore him and have the utmost respect for him (yes I do, as I do Flo and Dick) - but the man has a way of lecturing you that needs you to commit at least an hour of your life in that white room he calls an office. AT LEAST an hour... I've never been in there for less.)

Saturday was vocal training. Sunday was choreography, more 'chats' and MORE vocal training (this week's songs are tough - as of yesterday's 2nd vocal training session, your Top 3 were still trying to figure out how to sing those individually challenging songs the Judges have dug up!) .

Izked and I managed to catch up with the Idols for a short yak and some makan at Chilli's on Saturday evening. :) It was awesome to just 'hang' for a while in between all the Idol business. The Chilli's people were awesome enough to show 'em some lurve and even gave us a special VIP bill! Awesome not? Its so nice to meet people who follow the show, and so here's a big thank you to the Chilli's managers and our two fab servers for the superb service - glasses always filled and tummies overflowing!

I didn't take too many pics cos, well, I wanted it to just be some 'laidback' time to hang with the Top 3 without constantly thinking about blog content ya'know? I left the picture-taking to Iz who's camera was flashing non-stop LOL! Keep a look out for his take on our 'idle-pig-out-session'!

Suffice it to say, it was quality Idol time for me at least. Its so surreal that the journey's almost over! While we ate and laughed and ate and laughed, I was mentally sealing the moments in my head cos it can't get much better than this! Poor Airi was in migraine central initially but he came round later and felt much better and it was all good.

Me and Iz picked up the tab - cos we love 'em right Iz? For me, it was just a small 'thank you' to the Top 3 for sharing with me their journey thus far. They've been so forthcoming (all the Idols have been) from Day One. Thank you for not minding my rushed interviews, constant twitpiccing, video-ing, long-windedness and my often MIA-ness (due to my other 'commitments') and always welcoming me with big smiles and open arms.

All you guys, have made this 'job' so easy and so fun! I can't imagine what it would be like if the whole bunch had turned out to be prima donnas!! DIE!

Tonight, the Top 3 will be attending a private screening of the upcoming movie Planet 51 - who says there aren't perks to bein' an Idol, this is what, the like 4th or 5th movie premiere they've been to?

After tomorrow night, the Top 2 can look forward to a full day covershoot with 8Days on Thursday, key-taking for the Finals on Friday and two roadshows this weekend (check the left sidebar). Idol business never idles for long (sorry, HAD to get that pun in here somewhere!)

xoxo, s.

Next Week's Theme : Judges' Choice

Judges' Choice : Surprised?

These 3 certainly were...

Sezairi : Oh. ok.

Sylvia : Huh? Really ah?

Tabitha : What..nooooo.....

Producers and everyone in the know (that would include yours truly and Official Blogger Iz too) worked hard to keep the secret....a secret. The Top 4 were convinced next week's theme was to be 'Jazz'. They even 'spliced' songs and submitted song choices a week ahead, like they always do. Poor things. All that work....pfft!

In the meantime, its Judges' choice for next week's show and according to Uncle Ken, the songs especially chosen for each of the Top 3 were chosen in the hopes that the song would allow audiences to get to know the Top 3 more 'intimately'. I translate that to mean - more emotion please.

Song choices are confidential for now, but here's who chose for whom...check out these pics taken backstage, so 'prize-giving-' or 'cheque-presentation-like'! Each Judge chooses two songs for their Idol contestant.

Tabby's song choices are by Dick Lee.

I like this pic, just add a mortar board on Tabby's head and you have a graduation-perfect pic :) And Dick's the proud lecturer who just crowned her valedictorian! LOL! But that said, they both look good here - nice pic Ash!

Airi's two songs are picked by Flo.

LOL - Looks like a proud mummy giving angpow to her son on first day of CNY!

Airi's expression here is priceless! What song IS that? Flo, are you SURE you want me to sing this?!

Uncle Ken chooses 2 songs for Sylvia.

Can you beat SylSyl's expression? HILARIOUS! And add Uncle Ken's 'almost smile' face next to it! AIYO. I cracked up for about two minutes when I saw this pic!

Thank goodness for Ash's pics. I tried snapping pics with my phone when this was happening but I was shorter than the sound guy, the camera guy, the director lady, the producers, Ash, Iz (these last two are so tall and big they may as well be trees to me!) and basically everyone who surrounded the scene la. So I got me nothin'! Thanks again Ash!

I stayed on for keycheck thereafter to find out what the songs were and suffice it to say, every song that came outta there was totally unexpected. Its going to be a very interesting show next week.

In my opinion, the song choices shouldn't be kept secret, cos I love listening to the original and then imagine how each contestant would reinterpret it. Oh well, not my decision, but I'll keep bugging @siproducer about it - maybe can release one song choice? Please, please, pretty please? I'm sure everyone's dying to know what Uncle Ken picked for Sylvia. LOL. I mean, lookit her face. And Airi's face too! What could elicit that kinda expression right??

Suddenly 1 week seems a super long time. (but then again, juxtapose that against how quickly the last 11 weeks have flown by and well, I shouldn't complain la right?)

xoxo, s.

ps. I would love to see Tabby do a big broadway number, followed by a very simple, unglam, stripped down song, just cos I think we never get to see the girl-next-door side of her - we're always served up the Glamazon. Same goes for Sylvia, a simple, emotive, heartfelt song without all the frills is what I would love to see. As for Airi, I loved watching him dance last night, and a number that includes some moves would be a nice repeat. ;) but thats me. And my initials ain't DFK.

Meet Jessica + 1 Random Vid

SNL* anyone?

Who knew one of our Top 4 (actually more than 1, but only 1 in these vids for now :)) had improv/skit-worthy acting chops? LOL.

*for the blur, SNL = Saturday Night Live (a skit comedy type show on American TV - loads of celebs from Taylor Swift to Britney go on it and lay down their acting chops for all to see)

Check out our very own, hawt babe, Tabitha Giselle Nauser hammin' it up as a character she created called 'Jessica'. Don't ask her why the name 'Jessica' - I did, and she doesn't know why, it just 'came' to her. Sounds blonde enough tho', and if you watch the 2nd vid, you'll wonder if it has any connection to another blonde Jessica who was confused by tuna and chicken.

Anyway, just watch ....

In our next instalment, we plan to recruit one more character, possibly an African American one...played by...juz wait n see yo'....*suspense not?*

Ok, now here's the random vid...its like a behind-the-scenes of an upcoming music video Izked is working on for tomorrrow night's theme - Step Up & Dance. Its supposed to be ala American Idol where they dance around while their names are announced. Notice how Sezairi 'flies' in and almost knocks Sylvia over - you can't catch this kinda thing on your weekly Idol show!! LOL!

Btw, on the vid, when you hear me say 'I can't believe you said that' - it wasn't meant for Tabby's comment about 'being a conservative Asian girl', but actually for Izked's request to have the girls 'grind' Airi! Helo! Family show brotha! LOL!

Hope you enjoyed the vids!

xoxo, s.

ps. Wonder if the 'Jessica Cali' stuff can be submitted to SNL?

pps. Sorry Charles doesn't feature in the BTS vid, he had left quite early on after the roadshow.

Idols Write Songs

Original Songs For A Cause

Our Top 4 have been hard at work writing original songs for next week's show. In fact, since last week they've been hard at work (including Faizal, because they work two weeks in advance regardless of who's in/out).

I know you guys are definitely curious to hear what those original songs sound like - so was I. I had planned to record it, but Iz already did, so here are the vids he recorded yesterday of each of your Top 4's original songs.

In no particular order....

Sezairi Sezali with 'You'.

Sylvia Ratonel with 'I'll Be Here'.

Charles 'Stitch' Wong with 'Before You Hit The Ground'

Tabitha Nauser with 'No Matter'.

Sorry this post took forever...the vids were rather large in size, and YouTube kept dying mid-upload. As I'm typing this (10.48pm), I've still got 20mins left to go on Charlie's song upload and Tabby's is queued behind it! (12.14am - finally done!)

Anyway, hope you enjoyed the vids - which song did you like best?

I'm looking forward to next week's show so much, and the Results Show sounds like its gonna be da bomb with guest artistes etc for a FULL HOUR! It will be heartbreaking when one of the 4 go home :(... but at least it'll be with a bang right?

xoxo, s.

ps. In my previous post I mentioned sleeq would be performing, my mistake, need to clarify that, sleeq will be performing during the 1-hour break in between Performance and Results shows, so only the attending studio audience will get to watch it - don't worry....my trusty phone will be there too! Shall upload the minute I get back k!

pps. A big thank you to Izked for filming and editing these vids! Do check out the Official Blog for more Idol stuff!

ppps. Just had to add these two lil tribute vids in...done by sabrinaathestrange, they are tributes to Charlie and Sylvia. I lurve Sylvia's - the song choice is awesome...LOL But truth be told, Sylvia is more blonde than bitch - SylSyl u noe i luv u rite? :)

Sabrina, howsabout something for Tabs and Airi now - can?

New Profile Trailers for the Idols

Check these cool profile trailers for each of your Top 5 :)

I love watching how they've morphed from raw and make-up free faces to the polished look they now have in trailers and on the show. Aw, muh babies have come so far!

Faizal

Trailer VO : Faizal, with his boyish charm and slick dance moves, he's this season's resident heartthrob, will Faizal be the next Singapore Idol?

June 09, looking like a cute Jason Mraz wannabe at his first audition.

Nov 09, looking very cute (and many say Idol-esque) with his charming heart-melting smile.

This endpage pretty much sums up my perception of Faizal's Idol journey this season, its like he's poised to win it. He has the moves, grooves and style.

Faizal's Top 5 Profile Trailer

Tabitha

Trailer VO : Tabitha, with good looks confidence and a powerful voice, she's simply the full package. Will she be the first female singapore idol?

June 09, Tabby looking sweet-faced, (and v. young! not that she looks old now though!) and innocent at her first audition.

Nov 09, Tabby looking super hawt, vamped up and gorgeous! Starlet!

This endpage for me, is about the body language, and it says to me that Tabby is already a star. She looks comfortable, confident and charismatic here.

Tabitha's Top 5 Profile Trailer

Sylvia

Trailer VO : Sylvia she comes from a humble background, this is her chance to change her life. Will sylvia be the first female Singapore Idol?

June 09, Sylvia is fresh-faced and devoid of makeup at her first audition.

Nov 09, Hello Sylvia the Starlet! GORGEOUS!

The song used for Sylvia's profile ends with the line 'I'm a dreamer' and it pretty much sums up this pic. Its almost poetic cos she looks so good.

Sylvia's Top 5 Profile Trailer

Charles

Trailer VO : Charles, beatboxing champion, but thats' not his only talent. Shy sweet and sincere, will Charles be the next Singapore Idol?

June 09, Charles beatboxing at his first audition.

Nov 09, Charles looking very much like a handsome artiste now.

Love the endpage because its where I love Charles the most, 'singing intimately' with his guitar.

Charles' Top 5 Profile trailer

Sezairi

Trailer VO : Sezairi, one of the most vocally distinctive contestants, an original who tries to make every song his own. A romantic with a funny side, will sezairi be the next Singapore Idol?

June 09, This is what Airi looked like at Auditions. He was 'nicknamed' Najip Ali.

Nov 09, Don't know 'bout you, but I think he cleaned up good :)

Love this 'Man In The Mirror' shot, cos imo, Airi's all about everything the song conveys when it comes to his music. He always starts with the 'man in the mirror' and thats what I love about him.

Sezairi's Top 5 Profile Trailer

Hope you enjoyed those trailers as much as I did. Now here's a fun video done by Official Blogger Iz! It a music vid of the Idols' trip to Temasek Poly yesterday, apparently, TP realllly rawks (according to your Top 5). Check out the official blog for a full update of the visit, in the meantime, watch :)

Love it right? The Chickie Dance! hilarious!

Thanks to Iz for a great vid!

xoxo, s.