Love these World Aids Day Idol trailers....

"We Could Do With A Little Bit More Love"...

How true dat. How very true. Well said Airi, and Tabby and Charles and Sylvia. :) Watching these trailers I just want so much to give them all a big hug and tell them what a great job their doing and what a wonderful gesture it is to be writing a song from the heart to help spread the message about love and reduce the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS.

Watch...

The second trailer gives me goosebumps - the good kind - again, kudos to Valren, Chris and the OAP team at 5 for another wonderful set of trailers for Idol :) Even in plain white tees and no colour, they look awesome!

My one hope for this week, since we are commemorating a good cause (World AIDS Day, in case you've been in Timbuktu or just blur), is that everyone set aside their warring and show everyone some love. Lets fill that whole damn theatre and everyone's homes with Love.

Let's not be hatin' on one another. Doesn't matter whose fans you are, which Idol you support, whether you want a girl or a boy Idol or hate the judges ....whatever! Zip, Nada, Zero, Kosong hatred this week. Lets be supportive, positive, and listen to the messages the Idols are putting across this week.

The Cause is bigger than us. In most cases, ignorance is bliss, but when it comes to disease, ignorance breeds fear and contempt. Lets get educated - the Idol way - via music and the heartfelt songs these four talented individuals have written and will perform for us :)

Go Tabby, Sezairi, Sylvia and Charles! Much love, miss u guys, see you soon...

A big shout out too to Nurul, Amira, Farhan, Faizal, Duane and Malaque who will be coming back tomorrow night to help support the cause too with a few group performances - can't wait to see them all back together again yippeee!

xoxo, s.

ps. I will definitely be joining the Final 4 as they sing their 'Song(s) For A Cause'... will you?

pps. Finally found some time to blog - been super busy the last coupla days - and was gonna update on the roadshow, then I watched these and just HAD to get it out there!

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?

6am randomly missing MJ & Theodore

MJ Kuok & Teddy Teow, love ya!

Its 6.21am and I was just checking YouTube to see if Iz has uploaded the snippets of the Top 4's original songs yet (not yet though - YouTube must be acting up on him cos he said he would upload last night), and the latest vid posted was this one, by MJ.

After watching MJ's vid, noticed this one on the sidebar and decided to watch it too. And sigh, miss Teddy too.

Both these boys are so talented, its so sad that they aren't on the show anymore.

Listening to them sing again, really reminds me how much talent we've really uncovered this season, and it saddens me that at this stage, haters are still attacking the contestants for every single mini flaw they think they have.

People often forget that this show is about finding a diamond in the rough and polishing it. They are amateurs, not full-fledged recording artistes. At this stage, yes fans are warring via votes, but thats where the warring should stay. We should support the Top 4, not bring one down to elevate another.

If the four of them can be supportive of each other's dreams while still competing with one another on stage, I don't see why we, as their supporters/fans, can't do the same.

Ultimately, lets support Singapore's musical talents - because we definitely have a few gems out there ...

Anyway, much love to MJ and Teddy, miss you guys much, and the rest of the Top24 - how y'all?!

xoxo, s.

ps. MJ, when are you and Tabby gonna record this one for real? Its so very good, Flo's still a-waitin' :)

pps. Was that post v. drama? Sorry, 6am, no coffee and possibly got spillover emo from finding out that Oprah is ENDING her talkshow - I mean HELLO, its Oprah - she's like an institution I grew up with :(... seriously gonna cry d when I watched this...

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.

The One Behind-The-Scenes

Naked Idol? NOT.

Before you jump to conclusions.... keep your crooked mind on the straight aiite! These are some behind-the-scenes pics from today's music video shoot courtesy of @siproducer and @izked. :)

Thanks you guys! I like totally missed the whole thing cos when I got there at 4 (thought the shoot was til 7pm), they were done - so efficient! Guess as the numbers dwindle, shoots move faster....*bittersweet*

Doesn't Tabby look awesome here? I seriously love her bangs!

I love how the Idols are bare shouldered, giving the illusion of 'naked-ness' but not in a bad way. I'm thinking since this Spectacular is about World AIDS Day, and the song they are singing is called 'As I Am' by Jack & Rai, its probably about 'accepting' people as they are, without the masks or makeup, or the stylish clothes .... the facades we so rely on on a daily basis to 'protect' ourselves. 'Stripped of facades' so to speak....love it.

Be 'blind' to colour? race? religion? Maybe thats what the blindfold is for. I have no idea , am just guessing. They look really good though. I was telling Iz, every Idol season should have a 'naked idol' shoot just cos there's something so simple and natural and beautiful about just focusing on their faces (shoulders up) and nothing else.

Check out this oldie but goodie trailer from Season 1. I was there at the shoot (sorry that I don't have pics, I'll have to go dig my archives for pics from that shoot), but it was just amazing and everyone looked so good. The trailer producer invested in a 'ring' light so that the Idols would be lit beautifully on cam. The inspiration for this trailer was of course MJ's Black Or White music video. We named the trailer 'Morph' back then because it was at the stage where the Idols were 'morphing' from Piano shows to the next big stage which was The Spectaculars.

Anyway, on to more BTS stuff, I mentioned by the time I got there, they had wrapped, but I did managed to get a clip of Charlie and Airi jamming impromptu on the piano, they're singing the song for the music video - 'As I Am' by Jack & Rai :)

Finally, I just got some pics from James (Channel 5 promo team) from the shoot they did earlier in the month for this week's trailer and print ad, here are the pics in a collage. Sorry, he didn't send any of Sylvia, but at least you can see what Faizal and Duane looked like for the shoot if they woulda made it thru :) Thanks JameseyJames for the pics!

thats it for now... am off to the White Rabbit for dinner - heard its awesome, my first time out with the girlfriends in ages!

Shall blog more tonight after Survivor (looks very exciting!)

xoxo, s.

ps. Oh the reason I dropped by today was to get snippets of the Idols' original songs - thank gawd Iz was super quick :) he's got them recorded, and promises to upload them to Youtube tonight - eeee...so exciting! So keep a watch-out on his Youtube Channel tonight :)

pps. Just saw Izked's tweet - sleeq will be perfoming on next week's show AWESOME!!!!!!!! :)

Updates on Song For A Cause

Updates on Spectacular 10....

Firstly, aren't you just lovin' this poster? I am. The Top 4 are dressed so simple, I love it. (click to enlarge)

Next order of business...

Tabby's cover song is no longer Adam Lambert's version of 'No Boundaries'. Tabby will be singing Carrie Underwood's version of the George Michael classic 'Praying For Time' instead. (Aw shucks, I'm a Glambert fan and was looking forward to hearing Tabby's version of that song.)

Anyway, this is still a great song choice though - very very appropriate for the theme, and if Tabby emotes the way Carrie does (see vid) on Idol Gives Back, its in the bag y'all!

While I was searching for the Carrie Underwood vid, I chanced upon Idol Alum (Season1) Daphne Khoo's own accoustic version of the song :). Its a nice, refreshing, quiet take on the same song, yet raw and still full of emotion. I like it - Daphney miss ya!


Last piece of order...

I've just found out that your Top 4 will be singing like SO MANY songs for next week's Results Show! (click on the links for vids of the songs and info on the guest artistes)

Here's the Idol song list for the Results Show.

1. Green Day's 'Good Riddance' - Top 4 only

2. The Temptations' 'My Girl' - Top 4 with Idol Alum

3. Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida' - Top 4 with Nathan Hartono (or maybe its the other way around?)

4. 'How To Save A Life' - Idol Alum

Plus a performance from Jack & Rai too.

That's it for Idol updates! Your Top 4 will be at Caldecott Hill all day tomorrow (call time 7am!) filming a music video for the Health Promotion Board, for next week's show.

Don't forget to catch them at their two roadshows this Saturday, deets on the Idol Stalker banner on the left sidebar.

xoxo, s.

A Song For A Cause - Song List

Here's what your Top 4 will be singing next week!

Each of them will be singing an original composition (specially written for this World AIDS Day tribute) and a cover (something inspirational). So that means, we get 8 songs altogether! Double the fun! Woot!

PLUS, next week's Results Show is gonna be a full hour (instead of the usual half hour) cos we've got group performances a-plenty. There's a 'Idol Alum' number (Nurul, Malaque, Farhan, Duane, Amira and Faizal), a Top 4 group number and an everybody (Top4+Idol Alum) group number :)

Plus special guest performances by Jack & Rai and Nathan Hartono. Sounds like a rawkin' show already!

Ok, without further ado....here's the song list in no particular order....

(I won't be commenting on their original compositions cos I haven't really heard them yet, except for Airi's cos Iz just told me that he recorded it before)

Sylvia Ratonel

Original song : "I'll Be Here" (the song is about what Sylvia hopes people will say to her when she faces struggles and tough times)

Cover : Adele's "Make You Feel My Love"

I think this Adele song is right up Sylvia's alley. Her voice is similar to Adele's and its the kind of offbeat, retro-ish, laidback tune that Sylvia seems to excel in.

Tabitha Nauser

Original song : "No Matter" (the song's about Tabby bein' there for someone who's having a tough time, 'no matter what'.)

Cover : Adam Lambert's version of "No Boundaries"

I've also attached the studio recording of the song because the sound quality in the above vid isn't too good.

Definitely a better version than Kris Allen's. Adam Lambert's rendition has a lot more emotion and its a great 'let-it-all-out' type song. I hope Tabby lets go next week, cos when she does she really really shines. Can't wait!

Charles "Stitch" Wong

Original song : "Before You Hit The Ground" (the song is about a girl who has AIDS who feels depressed but there will be people who will catch her before she 'hits the ground')

Cover : U2's "One"

Sorry, couldn't find any of music video of this song that wasn't 'Embed disabled', so opted to post this 'Live' version instead. But you all should know this song right? Its pretty famous.

Anyway, its a big song, am wondering if Charles will sing it 'intimately' or go all out with it like he did with The Calling's 'Wherever You Will Go'. Good song choice though, very inspirational!

Sezairi Sezali

Original song : "You" (the song is about the imperfections that make people perfect)

(Iz actually recorded Airi singing this a while back...see vid below)

Cover : Black Eyed Peas' "Where Is The Love" (he's apparently gonna sing the 'rap' part - can ah?)

I like this song. Almost everyone I know likes this song. But at one time, it just got overplayed and people got tired of it. Hope everyone's had enough of a rest from the song so that it doesn't become a blindspot when Airi performs it next week. Another feelgood song for the night!

World AIDS Day is on 1st December. To find out more about how it affects us here in Singapore, click here to get to the Health Promotion Board's site.

Was supposed to turn in almost 2 hours ago, but HAD to get this post out to you :) 4.45am now, definitely time for bed!

xoxo, s.

Some BTS Vids

Ever wondered what happens on stage during that 1 hour break between Performance and Results Shows?

You've may have seen the pics on SI's Facebook page, but those are static, so thought I'd record some vids and share them with you.

What usually happens is Matt (the very hardworking wubby who keeps the crowd entertained and informed before the show, and in between commercial breaks and this hour-long break) will invite ex-Idol contestants and audience members to play games.

Tonight, Matt invited Duane, Malaque and Farhan up on stage to sing songs suggested by the fans/audience. Here are some vids.

I have no idea what song Malaque is singing, but apparently she sang this for her audition.

In this clip, you'll see Farhan and Duane doing a sing-off, suggested by Malaque, of Duffy's 'Mercy'. Not sure who won the sing-off LOL! Who's rendition did you prefer?


Here's Malaque singing a fan request, 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'. Imo she sounded pretty good despite having a terrible cold!

While the 3 ousted Idols were on stage entertaining the crowd, our Top 5 were busy practicing their group song choreo one last time with Zaki out at the foyer at B4. Check it out! (Sorry for the shaky cam, was trying my best to avoid the cameraman who was also walking backwards and almost backed into me a few times!)

Here's the group song recorded from my seat. Hope someone uploads the tv version soon. :)

Well, thats all the vids I have for you tonight, hope you enjoyed the show, my tweets/twitpics from studio - oMg 3am - nitey nite!

xoxo, s.

ps. Don't forget to catch Faizal's exit radio interview in the morning at 9am on Idol's Official Radio Station, 987FM with Dan & Young.

pps. Fyi, tomorrow is a super busy day for the Top 4, they'll be doing their profile shoots all morning (call time is 9am), followed by a visit to Ngee Ann Poly at 5.30pm, followed by vocal sessions with vocal coach Ann Hussein. Full day! Don't forget to check out Iz's tweets for the Poly visit tomorrow.

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.

Next Week's Theme : A Song For A Cause

Its 10pm, lines are now closed.

Sigh. Heartbreak in about 20 minutes time.

Impending sadness aside, next week's theme is in honour of World Aids Day (December 1st). Spectacular 10 is aptly titled 'A Song For A Cause'.

(click on the collage to enlarge)

Your Top 4 (or possibly 5 if Judges use their 'save' tonight), have been tasked to do TWO songs next week (awesome right? We get to watch them each perform TWICE!). One song is a cover, something inspirational and appropriate for the theme, and the other song is....get this...something they've written especially for this theme :)

Cool or what?

I love original compositions, and judging by how well they all did during the song-writing stage at theatre auditions, this should yield some cool stuff. Excited already.

This has got to be a first in Idol history. Other countries have had songwriting challenges before at earlier stages, but not at Spectaculars I think (I'll double check this). So its cool for Singapore Idol to have a first :)

Ok, now you know what to expect next week, turn your attention back to the Results.

Tweets/twitpics LIVE from Studio here.

xoxo, s.

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 :)