Drama or Nada?

'We're just trying to rehearse without any drama!'

Yea'riiite.

85 Idol dreams were dashed the day before, and 96 carried on to Group Day.

Groups ranged from 3 - 5 people and apart from having to agree on a song and come up with choreography..

But where was the drama that comes part and parcel of every Group Day of Hollywood Week?

Apart from the 'stealing of moves and ideas' (Neopolitan vs Destiny's Wild <-- wahsey so creative lor) and like one power struggle (Mary Powers wants her 'Power', she even kena from the music director - Mary : "I'm not tryin' to be pushy..." Music Director : "But you are..." ooh burrrrn!), oh and Big Mike's group following his baby's birth via video on his iPhone, there wasn't much drama really.

Compared to last season's huge blow out between Kristin McNamara and Nancy Wilson Nathaniel Marshall's diva breakdown (think Mariah hands and tears but with short hair and a stringy headband), Bikini girl's no-show-turned-late-show and Tatiana's group ostracising her, last night's drama ranked mild.

In fact, it seemed like everyone kinda got along. Most of them even looked like they slept early.

Looks like after 8 seasons, contestants are getting a clue on how to stay calm.

Kudos though to producers for trying to er, flesh out and hype up the drama as much as possible with the intense-action-movie-music accompany. Ryan adds to the 'drama' by declaring that "This group is mentally drained and physically exhausted' because its Group Day..." (cue dramatic music).

I've heard from our own Idol producers that Group Day really is just a mechanism to challenge the contestants physically and mentally. Its a test of their mettle and their ability to cope under pressure and still perform despite it all. At this point, if you've made it to Hollywood Week (or Theatre Auditions), you're pretty much good singers. Now its time to figure out who can survive the entertainment industry. If you can remember your lyrics (they're only given 12 hours to learn a song, do it in a group and add choreography), and sing it well, you'll get through. If you can pull your group together, and show the judges that there was tons of effort, the whole group goes through.

I'm happy to see Michael Lynche and Tim Urban go through to the final round of Hollywood. I'm super happy that Katie Stevens got through (so cute, her group was called 3 Men And A Baby, 16 yr-old Katie bein' the baby, and it included my fave guy singer this season Andrew Garcia).

"I'm not power hungry" - Mary Powers

I'm sure she's not. She just wants to win, and I respect that. But you know what, I'm not liking her too much right now. And if she makes it through to the voting rounds, she'd better start endearing herself to viewers/voters, else she'll be one of the first to go.

Next week, can't wait to watch the final round of Hollywood Week. Only 71 are left after group day, and its time for them to take the stage solo with music. Who will be the 12 guys and 12 girls to make it to the Top 24? Eeee, so exciting!

xoxo, s.

ps. I found out the name of the girl with glasses and purple beanie: Erin Hunley

pps. Today's Friday peeps! Survivor XX : Heroes vs Villains today at 530pm on Channel 5 (encore at 12.30am!) Don't miss it! *tsk* still can't believe I missed last night's Survivor Special - Channel 5 rerun pleeeeeeeeeease!

Breaking News! MJ pulls out of Idol!

Resident Idol hottie MJ Kuok has decided to pull out of Idol :(

Sigh. I've been keeping this to myself since Saturday. And so have the other Top 12 Idol contestants and everyone in the know on the Idol production.

MJ did not turn up for the trailer/photoshoot over the weekend (notice he's not in the group picture that was MMS-ed to me?), and everyone was abuzz with why.

The official reason released by his camp is that "MJ has pulled out due to personal matters, and to please respect his privacy." As of now, according to Official Blogger Iz, he's on a plane to HK to see his grandfather and cousins. :(

It must have been a really tough decision to make, especially at this stage when he's already invested so much in the competition.

MJ is one of the most hardworking and humble contestants on the show. He has never complained about the long hours or the waiting (of which there is plenty) in between shoots, keychecks, vocal training etc.

His only gripe, and this was only a small one, was about the 'character' he was assigned to play for the recent shoot - he was slated to play Elvis when he would really rather have played Justin(Timberlake, not Jap). But the sweetheart that he is, he went along with it at the 2am fittings anyway. (Don't tell me he pulled out cos he had to be Elvis! <--siao! no way! he's much too easygoing to be that picky!)

I, personally, will miss MJ. To me, he's one of the most genuine contestants. You know he's really listening when you speak. He's also the one Idol who'd come up to you and ask you how your day has been or how your weekend was. That says a lot about him as a person - he's caring. He's also the most polite (Teddy too), and that says a lot about his upbringing - his Mom musta done a good job raising him.

(Alamak, I look so groupie, which is why I normally don't take fanpics or post pics of myself, but anyway, just felt like it just this once.)

I started to hear rumblings a few days earlier that all may not be well. Friday morning, those rumblings got louder, and I hoped and hoped that it would not come to pass.

But by evening time, MJ's Idol journey was over.

That same evening, an announcement was made to let the other contestants know, and cameras were there to record every shocked face.

This shocking piece of news was to be embargoed until today and 8days got the scoop - it is reported in the issue thats on stands this morning. The proper announcement will be done at the Media Conference happening shortly at 2pm.

The remaining Top 12 were asked to keep this top secret and not to contact MJ to respect his decision and his privacy and let the issue settle down.

2 Idols were very affected by his departure. Sezairi, his pendejo bro, and Mae. Sezairi especially had already received a big blow when Teddy and Jon left the competition. The four of them had formed a little clique and called themselves the 'Pendejos'. Google that to find out what it means.

Friday night, Sezairi cried. He's the only pendejo left standing. *sob*

The other person extremely affected by MJ's leaving, was Official Blogger Izk. I noticed Iz wasn't his usual bubbly self most of Saturday.

Since they weren't allowed to contact him, I decided to record some vids for them so he'd get to see them. Here are the vids I recorded with Airi, Iz and Mae, its their message to MJ, so MJ dear, I hope you get to see this wherever you are. We miss you so very much and wish wish wish you were still in Idol.

After producers announced that MJ was pulling out, Idol contestants were probably thinking "So is this gonna be a Top12 or is someone comin' in to take MJ's place?"

In walked the answer : Nurul.

MJ was voted in by the public, so I supposed it was only right that his place go to the person with the next highest public votes. And that lucky person is Nurul.

I have heard from more than one person, that when Nurul walked in, although some yelped in joy that their friend was now in the Top 13, a few were visibly less than keen - Nurul represents a new threat to the throne, especially to the girls, with her husky vocals and groovy moves. (Let the claws come out! meowrr!)

What's Nurul's take? She's just happy to be given another chance. Apparently producers broke the news to her in the most dramatic fashion ever - hope we see this on tv - and almost gave her a heart attack whilst doing it. However, she does feel like she's not wanted by some people in the competition. Lets see if this feeling goes away or gets worse. My money is on the latter. Will check back with her soon.

I asked her how she felt about the whole MJ leaving, here's her vid.

Lastly, I also decided to grab ask Tabby if she'd like to send him a message, she was his duet partner. Their song was such a hit with Flo, she's waiting to put it on radio once Tabby & MJ pass her a proper recording of it. Here's Tabby's vid.

On Saturday, I was one of those who received a touching mass message from MJ (sent out to the Idols, me and Iz) that made me tear, here's an excerpt :

"I have (met) amazing people like you and I hope that we can keep in touch :) Give me a call anytime and know that I'll be supporting you and your dreams always, just like u've been supporting mine x MJ."

That's just classic MJ. Polite, considerate and sincere.

We love you MJ, don't ever ever leave the music industry - you are so talented, you've got a bright future in this ahead of you. We'll definitely keep in touch cuz, and I wish you well in all your future endeavours. You will always always be part of the Idol family wherever you are. Muaks!

xoxo, s.

Twilight Idol

Even the Ghosts want a piece of Idol action!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nope. He didn't.

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

FREAK OUT NOW.

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

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

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

UPDATE!!

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

xoxo, s.

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

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

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

Introducing Your Top 100

Singapore, meet your Top 100 Idol hopefuls!

(Click on image to enlarge!)

Out of over 4000 that came and auditioned for Singapore Idol, these lucky 100 get to experience the mental, physical and emotional torture that is the Theatre Auditions!

I decided to compile all the pics into one big collage because, well, individually they DUN LOOK SO GOODE. I mean, seriously, some of them looked like they were posing for a police mugshot. Very few (countable (is this a word??) on one hand) posed like a star! ALWAYS pose like a star for shows like this. Some looked so sleepy, some looked shell-shocked ("omg is that flash?!"), some looked like they just got back from walking their dog, others barely registered any expression, many stood stock still as if about to keel over from nerve gas. Aiyo. Think 'I'm A Star. I'm Gonna Win This. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.

Granted the camera used was probably a simple one that doesn't have auto photoshopping (some do these days, isn't that amazing?! Facelift its called!), but check out 1390! She's awesome at posing! Great smile, great pose - best pic of the lot! And for those with oily faces - BLOT (discreetly of course) BEFORE PICS! (Top 24 ...pls note hor)

Ok. Rant over. Congratulations Top 100!

Check out this fabulous Interstitial for next week's episode (if you haven't already) to get an enticing sneak peak at what's being served up next Wednesday night. Woohoo!

In the 2 minute promo above, its clear that there will be loads of drama. Typically at this stage, judges are harsher and don't hold back as they expect more from the contestants. At this stage, contestants are expected to (and should) be serious about the competition, but the reality is a lot of them still think they're on holiday camp.

For more behind the scenes info about the Theatre Auditions stages, check out my previous posts.

Theatre Auditions Day One

Theatre Auditions Day Two

Theatre Auditions Day Three

Theatre Auditions Final Day

Check the left side bar for in-between posts as well.

Super duper chuppa chups excited to watch Ep3 now!

Its 12am on Friday August 14th, sigh. Wednesday is TOO FAR AWAY, I want to watch NOW! SI Producer - sneak preview can? I make homemade chicken rice for you...can? Taste like Boon Tong Kee, promise ;)

xoxo, s