Idol Chatter

This week we said goodbye to fan favourite Faizal Isa. It was a huge surprise because Faizal seemed to have the biggest fan base and the most girls screaming for him at the roadshows.

“My first feeling was shock and blankness. I didn’t see myself going home,” said Faizal, who sang Jesse McCartney’s “Beautiful Soul”, a song he likes very much. “I don’t know what happened. Especially when I’ve already reached this stage. I guess it’s very unpredictable. Before the results were announced, I told myself, “If I get through, it’s something to be happy about; if not, it’s okay. Life has to go on.” I believe all the fans have done enough, voting up till now. I’m thankful to all my fans; they are very loyal.”

Well, then, what happened? Are the fans to blame? Did the voters get complacent? Did Faizal himself get complacent? An insider says yes: Some cockiness was starting to show through.

“But I’m only 17; it’s not the end of my singing career,” said Faizal. “It’s the beginning of something new. My plan is to carry on singing, because I promised my fans I would do that.” In the meantime, he’s going to be starting school in January and working for a diploma in hospitality management. For now, though, he’ll be resting his throat to recover from hoarseness, and compose music. “I’m going to prepare for next year so I’ll have something to give back to all my fans.”

Who’ll be Singapore Idol’s next victim? We’ll find out soon enough. Dun-dun-dun!

Tags: Channel 5, Faizal Isa, Singapore Idol

It’s no walk in the park taking part in a reality competition show such as Singapore Idol. But it also comes with its perks: Being propelled to overnight stardom. How has life changed for our Idols since they became famous?

“It’s a little overwhelming sometimes, especially when I go out and girls see me and they start crying,” said Sezairi. “I’m like, ‘Why’re you crying?’ ‘I love you!’ ‘I wish I could say the same, but I barely know you!’ I seriously don’t know what to do. I didn’t and I still don’t. I have pretty low self-esteem and I don’t think I carry myself very well. I’m always slouching and the ‘boy next door; everything goes’ kind of guy. When I get on a bus, everybody stares.”

“We get recognized more when we go out,” said Tabitha. “When I go out with my friends, sometimes there’ll be a few people following me around for a bit. I know that they want to come up and ask me something. But I don’t know if I should be the first one to approach them, because I’m afraid that if I do, then what if they don’t really want to ask anything, and I’m just overthinking? So I let them follow me for a while. And then after that, when I look like I’m not doing anything, then they’ll come up and ask me, ‘Can I have a picture’ or an autograph or whatever.”

“There was this one guy at a roadshow, he asked me to sign his stomach,” said Faizal. “Oh yeah!” said Tabby. “He opened up his jacket and gave me a pen and got me to sign his T-shirt. I was like, ‘For real?’ So I signed, but I tried not to touch him!”

Faizal has legions of screaming female fans—what does he think his appeal is? “I think it’s my personality and my sincerity in myself. Every week, when I perform, I just tell myself that I’m not going to imitate or copy someone else, I’m just going to be myself and just sing it. I think I’m friendly, I’m a happy-go-lucky guy, and I can be a little bit cheeky sometimes.”

“A little bit? Sometimes?” Tabitha mocked. “He’s just really playful. They like to disturb me a lot. They like to make me worried because they like to see my expression. So they’ll tell me something and I’ll be like, ‘What? Really?’ and then they’ll be like, ‘Nah we’re just kidding.’”

“I think Sherry is the most supportive fan I have,” said Faizal with a laugh. “He’s very happening. I heard from my friends that every time he comes into the theatre for the show, everyone will cheer and shout for him. I don’t know why! He gave me his number and a picture of him and a gift—a keychain that said, ‘Sherry loves Faizal’. I was so shocked that I didn’t know what to do with the gift. I just showed it to my parents. My dad was quite shocked. He asked me for my number, but I didn’t give it to him.”

“You should be happy that you’ve got both sides wanting you!” Tabitha giggled. What about Tabitha’s Fan, Banner Guy?  “He comes for every roadshow and every show,” she said. “I’ve spoken to him a couple of times, but he doesn’t really seem like much of a talker! He’s just like, ‘Hi I’m your fan’ and then he goes up randomly to the Idols and says, ‘Hi, I’m Tabitha’s fan.’ He does that all the time when he sees them! And then they’re like, ‘Okay… Now what?’ But it’s pretty cool that he did the banner and he changes it every week so it’s always something different. You can see he put effort into it, and I appreciate it. A loyal fan, like, no matter what, that person’s always going to be on my side. It is a bit creepy, but he hasn’t done anything over the top!”

Does Tabby think Faizal is cute? “Yeah, I think he’s very cute. A lot of girls would fall for him!” And would Faizal you vote for Tabitha if she wasn’t his competition? “Of course I would. She’s got a great voice, I think she’s beautiful. She’s got the full package to be the Singapore Idol.” Wow… Isn’t it heartwarming how much love there is going around Singapore Idol—both from the fans (henceforth known as Idolaters) and amidst the Idols themselves? 

Tags: Channel 5, Faizal Isa, Sezairi Sezali, Singapore Idol, Tabitha Nauser

We are constantly reminded—especially by Ken Lim–that Singapore Idol is a popularity contest more than it is a singing contest. For the remaining top five contestants, it’s really all about the votes—and that means a lot is riding on the fans. Ever wondered what makes these devoted people tick? At the Singapore Idol roadshow at Jurong Point last weekend, we met three of Singapore Idol’s most hardcore fans.

Banner Dude

Fazli, 24, shows up at every roadshow two hours early, with one of these giant banners. He is Tabitha’s number one fan. “She has great potential,” he said. “It’s a tough competition but I think she can reach the finals because she’s the best of the best.” Then he added a disclaimer: “I never say she very pretty or what! I just hope people will see her talent and vocal potential.”

Priest of the Book

Hold on a minute, you say. Haven’t we seen this guy before? Yes indeedy, 19-year-old Ezekiel Zhong-Han Azib was previously featured on our Star Gazing blog as one of the thousands who turned up for the first round of Singapore Idol auditions.

When he didn’t get in, he decided that the next best thing would be to become their biggest fan. “I’ve been part of Singapore Idol from the very beginning. I was at the auditions, and I just follow them everywhere. Since I got a chance to be one of them, I thought, why don’t I try to be with them all the way,” he said. And the microphone? “Now I carry a black one that shows my anger. I’ve so called turned to the dark side.” That’s not all: He also carries a notebook filled with pictures of the Idols and their autographs.

“This book started everything,” he explained. “I have notes from my music lessons, I have lyrics written down from songs that I tried to practice for. All I know is, this book stays with me no matter what. Maybe I’ll make copies, maybe auction them off. But this original book will never go into other hands but mine. It’s like my own holy book, and I’m the priest of it.”

That day, he’d come straight from work in order to secure himself a spot right up close to the stage. “I have three big interests that are keeping me alive: Singapore Idol, video games and wrestling,” he said. He is rooting for Sylvia Ratonel to win the competition. “My whole department at work is supporting her. Even my bosses are supporting her.” Ezekiel is a medical instructor with the SCDF. “But seeing this crowd here, I have a good feeling it will be Sezairi or Faizal. The two of them have the fan base of the Jonas Brothers!”

It was true: Faizal got the loudest screams from the crowd. But no one loves him like his biggest fan, Sherry.

Short shorts and pink mascara

Sherry, 18, a MacDonald’s service ambassador by day, attends “every show, every live performance, every roadshow. To show the Idols that they’re not alone, and they’ll always be supported by fans like me.”

There’s no question who Sherry’s favourite is: It’s Faizal Isa. “He’s so cute! I like the way he sings. He’s got his own moves that make people look at him and pay attention to him. It was amazing because the first time I met them, they knew my name. Maybe it’s because I once gave Faizal a gift: My picture and a love letter. With my name. Maybe he shared it with the other Idols.” What was in the letter? “Not much, just some words of encouragement,” Sherry said coyly.

So, does Sherry think Faizal will win? “Yes, of course. He’s top three material. And if he’s in the bottom three, I hope the judges save him. I’ve been voting nonstop and I also ask the other fans to keep voting.” Looks like Faizal doesn’t have much to worry about!

It was the end of the road for Mr Pussycat Doll in a surprise elimination result this week. Duane’s fans had always been faithful ‘till now and Duane himself is still trying to get over the shock.

“I wasn’t really expecting to be out, or even standing next to Charles on the stage,” he said. “Honestly, I think Mae’s votes played a very big part. Her votes probably went to someone else, and it was more than mine.”

It was evident from Wednesday’s show, though, that after getting nothing but criticism and attitude from Ken, good-natured Duane was getting really fed up with the Idol judge. “I think it was definitely unfair,” Duane reflected later. “He gives an equal number of comments to the others on how they can improve. Like, he tells Charles he should do more acoustic performances, and he tells Sezairi to develop his own identity. But since the beginning, he’s been telling me, ‘You are here because of the audience’s compassion; their sympathy votes.’ For 7 weeks in a row, I’ve gotten no credit for anything I’ve done.”

Well, maybe he’ll get more appreciation on other platforms. “I already have a place in Ngee Ann Polytechnic, so if all goes well, I’ll be studying mass communications there next year. I hope I can do more performances and gigs using what I’ve learnt,” he said. And does Duane want to be remembered as Mr Pussycat Doll? “I find it very evident that everyone—at least, most of the online community—remembers only my Tainted Love performance. I hope people remember me as someone who can sing and not just dance and make a fool of himself.”

Tags: Channel 5, Duane Ho, Ken Lim, Singapore Idol

This week, the Idols performed songs chosen for them by their parents. Last week it was Mambo Mania, and before that, there was the week of songs from Before They Were Born. Doesn’t it seem like retro is very big on Singapore Idol?

We yearbooked the Idols at www.yearbookyourself.com to try and see what they might have looked like in one of those bygone eras they’re always singing songs from. See if you can recognise them!

Tags: Channel 5, Charles 'Stitch' Wong, Duane Ho, Faizal Isa, Mae Sta Maria, Sezairi Sezali, Singapore Idol, Sylvia Ratonel, Tabitha Nauser

In a surprise result, we had to say goodbye to Mae this week. She was one of the most likeable and professional performers, and we’ll miss her.

“I had a cry last night, but now I’m okay,” Mae told us the morning after the show. “My first thought was, ‘What? Is this really happening?’ My second thought was, ‘I can’t remember the words to my song!’ It was a shock. I think when it came down to two girls, either way it would have sucked.”

An emphatic TODAY reader wrote to us expressing a similar opinion: “The results (of Wednesday’s show) continue to demonstrate the lack of appreciation of possibly some of the best possible talent unearthed in this singing competition since the inception of this program. I will not be surprised if there are others out there who share my disbelief that two of the most talented singers in this competition, Sylvia and Mae, are identified as the bottom two for the week.  This disbelief is further compounded with the elimination of Mae who perhaps delivered her best performance in the competition to date.” ‘Tis a sad, sad day for Singapore Idol if this is true.

Backstage after the show, Mae told us, the mood was really low amongst the other Idols as well. “Sezairi was crying. Sezairi’s mom was crying. They were shocked. I’m still in shock. A lot of my life has been saturated with all this Idol stuff. It’s a little hard to come to terms with the fact that today will be my last day in MediaCorp. I really thought my fanbase was growing,” said Mae a little sadly.

But she’s not going to let this little setback get her down. Mae is moving back to live in Singapore with her husband, and hopes to continue pursuing her singing career. “I’m going back to Australia only until December, to sort out my house and sell my furniture. I’m lucky to have enough exposure now, so I’m hoping I can get a job here. I’m hoping to finish my album. I’ve got five songs now. I’m aiming for 12.

“I didn’t think I’d make it into the top 13, and I’m glad I left on a high,” she concluded. There’s a bright spot: We’ll look forward to seeing more of Mae.

Tags: Channel 5, Mae Sta Maria, Singapore Idol

Last weekend, your Idols got down and dirty scrubbing cars clean for Channel 5’s charity car wash at Dempsey Hill. They raised over a thousand dollars for MediaCorp’s adopted charities, HCA Hospice Care and Rainbow Centre Yishun Park School, as well as Class 95FM’s adopted charity, Operation Smile. Yay Idols!

“I’ve never washed a car before!” said Sezairi. “My mom and my dad went, and were like, ‘That’s my son! Vote for him okay!’ It was annoying!”

“I’ve washed a lot of cars, so I think I was being a bit authoritative,” Mae laughed. ‘Cannot do this! Use a chamois! Very expensive one!’ I wash my mom’s car, because she’s terrible at washing cars. I’ve learnt how to do it properly.”

“I just ran around with the hose,” said Sezairi with a snicker. Did he hose down any girls? “Accidentally, yes. All the girls. Accidentally!” So, who looked the best in a wet T-shirt? “Duane!” Sezairi chortled. Ho ho.

So, what kinds of tunes do Mae and Sezairi play in the car? “I have a whole stack of CDs that don’t have any covers, and so it’s lucky draw for me,” said Mae. “I have some at the side of the doors that are all scratched. I listen to mad hip hop. And sometimes people catch me dancing. After a while I stopped caring. The best time I think is in the car, because you can sing very loud and the acoustics are good.”

“That’s what Charles does,” said Sezairi. “When we’re in his car, he’s like, ‘Guys, usually this is the time when I practice. So if you guys don’t mind if I sing?’ I don’t have a car, but one of my best friends drives. So all my CDs are in his car. I listen to a lot of John Legend in the car. Jamiroquai. Something upbeat. I have this tendency to always be in the shotgun seat and always fiddling with the stereo. If there are seven people in the car, they have to listen to what I want to listen to.”

So they sing while riding in cars and washing cars—and also while washing themselves. “The shower is the most conducive environment,” said Sezairi. “But usually I sing in my storeroom. Or my living room, ‘cos my house is like semi soundproof ‘cos my dad is an audio engineer. I sang in the kitchen once and somebody from downstairs yelled ‘Idol!’ because they knew I lived there.” “I sing in my room,” said Mae. “I’m staying with my auntie now. The thing is, everybody can hear me on the street, so they all know I’m an Idol. I hear ‘Shut up!’ sometimes.” Tsk, don’t they know a girl needs to practice to sound as good as Mae does?

In other news, we had to say goodbye to Malaque this week. “I wasn’t really surprised,” she said. “Christopher Toh’s prediction was right! I was telling the others, I hope Christopher predicts I’ll be out every week. It was like a motivation to perform better–like I have something to prove. I was pretty happy because I left on a good note and I’m happy with my performance.”

Malaque would like to be remembered as “the girl who’s always been in the bottom three. And who sang the Indian song and made the ratings go up.” Now that her Idol journey is over, she’s going back to school—“After that, who knows? MediaCorp might want to hire me!”

Only seven Idols left–keep watching and keep voting!

As we well know, every week the stakes get higher on Singapore Idol, and even though not everyone can win or deserves to win, they’re all good kids with bucketfuls of talent. This week was Amira’s turn to go, but no matter what, one thing’s for sure: That girl can sing.

This week, we gave some of the Idols an iPhone loaded up with the I Am T-Pain application, which magically makes your voice sound all synthesized and rappy, just like rapper T-Pain’s, and let them go to town. “Cool!” was the general refrain, and then you couldn’t tell Tabitha from Kanye, yo! If there’s ever a Somewhat Well-Known Rappers Spectacular show, you know they’re gonna be ready.

Tabby goes to T-Pain Town

Faizal fools around

And here are Tabby, Faizal and Amira, living it up!

Don’t forget to catch the next episode of Singapore Idol on Wednesday at 8pm on MediaCorp TV Channel 5!

Tags: Channel 5, Faizal Isa, Fathin Amira, Singapore Idol, Tabitha Nauser

YET another Singapore Idol hopeful had to say goodbye tonight.

Tonight Duane Ho, whom I’d earlier predicted would be the one to pack his bags, turned out to be the one who lived to sing another day, and Fathin Amira was the one who’s plug got pulled. I’m not going to say the usual “don’t worry, you’re still a winner” spiel, because as George Carlin once remarked, if you lost, you lost. There’s no two ways about it.

However, the heat is really on now for the remaining eight. Who will the public appreciate? Who will be headline news? Who will be next week’s fish and chips wrapper?

Tune in to find out.

Tags: Abang of the Airwaves, Christopher Toh, Duane Ho, eliminated, Fathin Amira, George Carlin, Singapore Idol

It’s an oft-forgotten fact that our very own Nat Ho, who made a cameo appearance in this week’s show, was once a wee little Singapore Idol contestant. Yes, five years ago, at age 20, music was his dream, and he made it to the top 30.

“I’ve always loved music, but Singaporeans are very practical, so when people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said I wanted to be a psychologist or a teacher—something safe that people wouldn’t laugh at me for,” Nat said. “Then when American Idol started, I said, ‘Wow, I hope it comes to Singapore.’ Then when Singapore Idol came by, it was my chance. I was in the middle of NS and I was in the music and drama company, so I thought it was related!

“For my audition, I sang some jazz song that I can’t remember the name of. The judges told me to sing something my age. I can’t remember what I sang after that! But I almost didn’t make it through. Ken and Flo said stuff like, ‘Well, you’re a pleasant boy, but I’m not so sure.’ Ken said something like, ‘You’re not the best, but there’s a certain hunger in your eyes, and I think you can go far.’ Dick and Douglas O weren’t sure about me, but it was Ken who gave me a chance.

“For my performance I sang ‘My Baby You’ by Marc Anthony, which is a very difficult song to sing. I think because of my lack of experience, I didn’t do as well as I could have. I was up against singers who did the pub circuit and had gigs every night!”

How did he feel when he was voted off, then? “I was crushed! I still remember them cutting trailers of me crying on TV!” Well, Nat’s not a Singapore Idol, but he is a successful actor, and we get to see him flaunt his stuff in Polo Boys, which is on every Thursday at 8pm on MediaCorp TV Channel 5.

As an Idol alumni, Nat’s advice for this season’s hopefuls is, “You may not be the best singer, but if you choose a song that’s not suitable for your vocal range, it’s not going to work. Song selection is a very important skill. It’s not about how much you like the song; it’s about how well you can sing it.”

And what does he think of this year’s contestants? “There were three girls that stood out,” he said (take note, girls!) “Sylvia reminds me of Jordin Sparks, in terms of looks. Malaque reminds me of the first American Idol, Kelly Clarkson—the hair and the vibes. Tabitha reminds me of Fergie from Black Eyed Peas. When I saw her on the video, I thought, ‘There’s something special about this girl. She’s got a certain style; a certain vibe going on.’ And then she opened her mouth and I was like, ‘Whoa. If there was a female Singapore Idol, this is it!’” Didja hear that, Tabby? You have Nat Ho’s vote!

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Nurul Huda this week. “I’m quite disappointed,” said Nurul. “It’s not about singing any more; it’s about showmanship.” Well, it always was—but “I don’t regret anything about my performance. I thought it was great,” she said. What’s next for Nurul? “I’ll continue working on my EP.” Looks like it’s not goodbye, it’s see you later!

Catch the next episode of Singapore Idol on Wednesday at 8pm on MediaCorp TV Channel 5.