Especially for fans for Kris Allen

It's not often I get an artiste that I will go ga-ga about, and honestly I am rarely starstruck by. And being in the line of work where it is my job to interview celebs, seriously... I am not awestruck most times and it really is a job.

Check out the list of people I've interviewed in the About Me section on my sidebar and you'll see I've met more than a few in my years working as an entertainment journalist.

I think the only people I felt like fainting were Jewel, Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Ricky Martin and Slipknot. And the Black Eyed Peas too.

REAL people who have an abundance of talent in the sound of their choice.

And now I add one more name to that list. Kris Allen.

Semalam ketika interview he was so laid back. And plus, despite some people who had gone in before told me he was monosyllabic in his answers, especially when it had anything to do with Adam Lambert - it the furthest thing from the truth.

In fact, most times benda camni mesti kena salah anggap bila orang malas nak cakap pasal something they've talked about thousands of times.

But one question I asked about Adam - he responded funnily (saving it for the article I'm writing).

I hope at the end of the day, he goes the way of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, and not Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino (what a waste!), Taylor Hicks (another big waste), Jordin Sparks and even David Cook who seems to be losing momentum.

Got home so tired, I crashed into bed terus. Memang tak larat dah nak update ke haper. But hope you guys like these pics. These were from the press conference at the beginning of it all. And dig that picture of Adrian from Sony Music presenting Kris - with a keris. Heh! Rich!

For friends abroad, the 'keris' is a dagger in this region, which has a wavy blade.

Anyhoo, enjoy the pics, guys. And for those of you in Singapore, enjoy what we did next up cause Kris is heading your way! Except you have to pay S$99 for it.

Before I forget, thanks to friends from Fox/Star World in Shamel especially and Nini for being such gracious hosts, and also the lovely people from Sony Music Malaysia for their hospitality. You guys rock.

Ok.. now here are some pics from the showcase. I have to say, Kris has improved a lot since Idol where he seems so much more confident and able on stage.

My favourite performance of the night was Come Together which was his final encore number.

Also the mash-up of Heartless and Gangsta's Paradise at the start, though I have to say that was rather an odd choice though.

Note that I didn't want to squish myself among some Ah Lians who just looked blur at what Kris was singing (so obvious got passes from someone who knew someone). I was nearer to the back of the VIP area near the REAL fans who basically caused permanent damage to my ear drums.

But I did move forward to try and get a few good pics with my dinky digital camera.

For those who follow me on Twitter, you would have gotten quite a few updates throughout the night, also with pics - so remember for those of you who haven't, follow me on Twitter at @klubbkiddkl.

Ah... despite the dramas for the day, Kris gave a good end to the stupid episodes which made me want to bitch slap someone yesterday.

Since I got enough sleep, am in a happy mood today.

Got press conference for Akademi Fantasia hari ni where they will announce hos, pengetua dan tenaga pengajar.

Aku bakal dikejutkan ke?

Bab tenaga pengajar tak penting sangat la sebab too random, but bab hos aku da pon before this katakan - Sarimah Ibrahim and Jimmy Shanley will team up. As for pengetua, Norman KRU. So ada ke kejutan tuk aku malam ni when they announce?

I doubt.

Ok... now to do some work before I run some errands and do some shopping (before the malls get choked up for the pre-Chinese New Year last minute rush).

Have a good day all!

Live like we're dying!

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Kris Allen!

Ok just chilling at Starbucks kat Gardens in MidValley. Tadik sampai ngan sumpah seranah seribu sebab traffic walaopon clear, nak parking nak 20 minit (elak Zon A lain kali!) - lom start.. seb baik.

Banyak pics aku snap masa press conference, but I won't upload them now. Too many to share. Will post them in the next entry

So anyway after several questions for the press conference, we all got our passes and waited about for our interviews.

And when it was our turn, had about 20 minutes (or lesser) with Kris. Adorable! He really is a super sweet guy.

And when we were done, mintak camwhore sat. Amik ko! First pic blur, second pic buruk! Sentap!

Went for dinner pastuh. After we were done, went through MidValley menangis cause a HUGE crowd was gathered for the meet and greet with Kris.

Only the first 200 were supposed to get a chance to meet Kris, but apparently people had been in line from as early as 10am onwards. Damn! And the meet and greet was scheduled at 6pm!!! Rajin gila bebudak nih!

Check out the crowd.

After that ended, there was a stampede as he was led out to a waiting vehicle. Padahal dok sebelah je kat Gardens. Merasalah!

Anyway.. dropped by Starbucks for a coffee and had really evil look from some fans. Then I noticed that I had this on.

Oops! Forgot Kris had autographed my tag!

Heh.. showoff! Nak wat camna. Da ada...

Just about to go in for the showcase. Will update pics from the press conference later from my camera. These pics were taken and emailed from my Blackberry, so expect better pics after this.

And also of the show of course.

Until then... for those of you at the ballroom see you in a while and let's party on.

By the way... anyone seen The Star today?

Monday February 8, 2010

Creating awareness on cervical cancer

THE National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM), supported by GlaxoSmithKline Pharma-ceutical (GSK) launched Power Over Cervical Cancer (POCC) campaign in July last year, aimed at educating and creating awareness about cervical cancer.

According to the World Health Organisation, more than 500,000 women globally will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 280,000 will die from it each year.

Here you go: Choong presenting the mock cheque to medical director of NCSM Dr Saunthari Somasundaram.

Therefore, the POCC campaign aims to highlight these escalating incidences of cervical cancer and to urge women to protect themselves against the disease.

Five popular bloggers have come forward to join NCSM and GSK to support the campaign. They are Serena C (twitter.com/serenachoong oralivenotdead.com/serenac), Niki Cheong (nikicheong.com/blog), Joyce (kinkybluefairy.net), Joe Lee (klubkidd.com) and Yvonne Foong (yvonnefoong.com).

These “Digital Ambassadors” will educate and create awareness on cervical cancer and encourage their readers to participate in the Cervical Cancer Risk Questionnaire on the website, www.pocc.com.myor www.cancer.org.my

Serena, Niki, Joyce, Joe and Yvonne were formally introduced during a POCC Pink Mobile appreciation event held at Twentyone Kitchen+Bar, one of the POCC campaign’s official partners. Other official partners include Pureology, Redken, and Stage Cosmetics.

The campaign had an initial target of 10,000 people to complete the Cervical Cancer Risk Questionnaire. NCSM surpassed the target and at the end December 2009, 14,526 people took the Cervical Cancer Risk Questionnaire. GSK presented RM14,526 to NCSM at the appreciation event.

Bloggers against cervical cancer: (from left) Cheong, Serena C, Wong and Lee at the event.

“Owing to the overwhelming response to the POCC Pink Mobile, we will continue to engage the public in 2010 by going nationwide, making stops in Ipoh, Penang, Malacca and Johor,” said GSK Pharmaceutical Malaysia Vaccines Business unit director Choong Kit Son.

“For 2010, we will continue to support NCSM with the RM1 donation for each Cervical Cancer Risk Questionnaire taken.

“We urge everyone in this room to help us spread the risks on cervical cancer and encourage your family members and friends to learn more about the disease at www.pocc.com.my or www.cancer.org.my,” added Choong.

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Updates on Kris Allen

So this is the info a lot of you have been waiting for on Kris Allen in Kuala Lumpur. Here is the media release by Star World.

KRIS ALLEN COMES TO KL!

Your American Idol Winner To Perform Live in KL

American Idol fans in Malaysia, brace yourselves! American Idol reigning winner and chartbuster, Kris Allen, arrives at our shores this coming Monday, 8 February, thanks to STAR WORLD, home of the of American Idol in Asia.

Kris Allen will be the first American Idol winner to visit Kuala Lumpur in association with ASTRO, Hitz.FM and The Gardens Mall & Mid Valley Megamall and during his ‘Kris Allen Live in KL’, showcase, fans will finally get to witness the touching performances and soulful hits of this huge talent, live!

Fans across the world first discovered Kris Allen on American Idol and have since followed him on an awesome journey leading to the release a self-titled album and hit song ‘Live Like We’re Dying’. The world has fallen in love with this piano-tinkling, guitar-rocking hero.

If your knees go weak at ‘Heartless’, imagine the sensation of being up close and personal with Kris, who will be available for an Autograph Session at 6pm at the Centre Court, Ground Floor, Mid Valley Megamall Kuala Lumpur.

What’s an event without a Kris Allen performance? Check him out at an exclusive, by-invitation-only showcase at 8pm held at The Gardens Ballroom of The Gardens Hotel. Then, knocking down the boundaries, lucky contest winners will get to meet our superstar in person in a meet and greet session at 10pm. Dying to be one of the lucky few? Hurry to win exclusive showcase and meet & greet passes by participating in the online contest atwww.astro.com.my/astrolife or radio contest by Hitz.FM, the Official Radio Partner, today!

Live like You’re Dying! Grab the chance to experience Kris Allen in KL!

To discover more talent, watch the latest installment of American Idol Season 9, aired first on STAR WORLD (Astro Channel 711) every Wednesday and Thursday at 6pm (Live via Satellite) and 8pm (Primetime Encore); Thursday & Friday at 12am (Late-Night Encore), 7am, 1pm; Saturday & Sunday at 12pm, 8pm, 12am.

Ok.. to all Kris Allen stalkers... I mean fans.. how do you get to see him live. Mark these details down.

Mark Monday 8 February down in your calendar.

3pm Press Conference at GSix Club, 6^th Floor, The Gardens Mall (Media Invitation Only)

6pm Kris Allen Autograph Session at Centre Court, Ground Floor, Mid Valley Megamall (First 200 fans with Kris Allen album stand a chance to get his autograph)

8pm Kris Allen LIVE in KL Showcase at The Gardens Ballroom, The Gardens Hotel (Exclusive Showcase, By Invitation Only) (STAR World ASTRO subscribers – log on www.astro.com.my/astrolife to win tickets or listen to Hitz.FM for radio contest)

So there you have it. Start getting MCs ready to ponteng for Monday and serbu Mid Valley. It is going to be awesome.

PS - Still trying to get confirmation Adam Lambert is coming to Kuala Lumpur. Apparently the rumours are real and he MAY come - but things are in talks as far as what I've heard.

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Live in Kuala Lumpur

Just a quickie entry sebab hari mode malas nak pepanjang.

Ok fine so we know Kris Allen will be in Kuala Lumpur next week. Even though details are not confirmed yet - TENTATIVELY I heard that it will be held at the Gardens, Mid Valley. Organizers ar scrambling for confirmation that's why aku tanak bagitau so fast without any confirmation.

But I will update you guys the moment I get word, as a few people have been messaging me for more detailed info.

And yes, I am a fan of Kris Allen and I'm still hoping for an interview with him.

And no, guys, I cannot confirm the rumour that Adam Lambert will be coming to Kuala Lumpur soon too. But will let you guys know if I get word.

Anyway, it's a good start to 2010 with Ne-Yo having just performed here (walaopon hanya Ne-Yo) as well as Boys Like Girls (another walaopon case).

And here's two more concerts coming up soon.

Babyface I MUST go to - even though I know some of you out there are just too young for him (well, if you're in your early 20s and below and don't listen to much music anyway). Sadly though, apparently he is not granting any interviews so boo on that.

Julio Iglesias I wouldn't mind cause I do love some of his tunes even though tak minat sangat.

Heard more concerts are lined up for 2010. Will let you guys know after I get more concrete information. Looks like it will be an amazing year - though I wouldn't count on Beyonce making it here. Especially after the Grammy sweep. I'll bet some people are looking PRETTY STUPID now for making noise over one of the most prolific singer songwriters of our time coming here, but allow some really stupid acts to make it here.

Ok la.. nak keluar jap agik supper ngan Aril, Akim and Stacy. Be back with more tomorrow. Hopefully confirmation of Kris's event.

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Kris Allen and the iPad

So random.. takde kena mengena langsung bab Kris Allen and the iPad.

Anyway, forget any association between the two cause memang entry ni takde draw relation pe pon antara dua. Anyway, when I posted Kris Allen is coming to Malaysia - ramai sexcited abih!

You heard it here first!


Yeap.. so here's the confirmation and details I have been able to obtain so far.

Fans of Kris Allen will notice his schedule down in South East Asia includes Manila on 5 and 6 February, and Singapore on 10 February.

Well, I said this coming Monday right? I was wrong.

Kris Allen will be in Kuala Lumpur for a meet and greet with fans, and possible a showcase on Monday, alright. But on 8 February.

The location is being determined at the moment, and the stopover in Kuala Lumpur is to plug the ongoing American Idol season as well as to promote his self-titled album.

I will inform you guys of developments as they come in as soon as I get any information on actual location and time. So wait for it.

Until then, book 10hb akan datang nih.

Meanwhile, I've been noticing everyone's been blogging the new iPad. Which is basically an oversized iPhone that doesn't make calls. Blah! Though I wouldn't mind one.

The iPad is not a new idea. In fact, it's been out several years. Don't believe me? This is the ORIGINAL iPad which came out about five or six years ago. And it was targeted at women.



See what I mean?

And after the iPad - what else can you expect? Well there's the iRack. Let's bet on Apple coming up with that as well as the iRan as well. Like below which also came out years ago.



Ok so maybe not. But I hope those videos made your day.


PS - Aku malas nak upload da video dari show Nidji. Masih belajar edit video lebih cantik ngan Mac ni makan masa. Lain kali je la aku rajinkan diri. Until then korang layan la clips dari dak forummer Cari ni ek. Kredit pada (matilah!!!) Ashna.

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Poetry in motion

Hari ni memang seronok gila! Walaopon start awal.. tapi got to catch up with friends sambil bekerja.

The day started early sebab sudahpu janji untuk photography and interview session bersama Dayang Nurfaizah dan Marcell. Dah lama gak tak jumpa Marcell ni so it was also a reintroduction to him. Ye la... lain la kalao band Indo aku memang more friendlier.

But once the photography got underway, it was fun all the way.

Celah sesi photography kat Alibi, ada lak kucing ni dok posing merata. Alahai.. comeinya! Nama dia Adam. Aku nak amik pic dia with the hood over his head, sebab baju dia tuh ada hoodie, tapi dia nih energetic gila tak leh dok diam.. so nih jer sempat snap.

Anyway, sat down pastuh abihkan interview. Tujuan sesi nih about Dayang and Marcell nya collaboration bertajuk Sayang - which most of you would have heard (kalao bukan dengar radio yang asik dok promosi Kau Dan Aku tapi susah nak main lagu artis lain).

I love the song! If you guys dengar bebetul, there's almost (but not quite) what sounds like a sample of Michael Jackson's Human Nature ala ala SWV's Right Here. Me likey... smooth 90s groove-esque tanpa actually being left back in time.

Yang pentingnya... borak borak semua, went on to Blackberry lak sebab Marcell nak email aku lagu terbaru dia nak bagi dengar. Terus menjadi antara orang pertama masuk Blackberry Messenger list aku.

Banyak gak dapat borak - tapi sebab immediately pastuh ada one more event, wrapped things up and headed to KL from Damansara where I was. Headed straight to Dragonfly - the old Orange club for Nidji nya pelancaran album, Let's Play. Kalao korang ingat last aku jumpa Nidji masa ke Bali for Soundrenaline where they performed an AWESOME set.

Ni some pics masa press conference.

Pas abih bebudak went through a quick sound check. Meka ni pro gila. Lajus je speed through everything and rectified what they had to.

Pas abih.. gerak gi makan. Sebab a few hours later baru meka akan perform bersama Aizat, 6ixth Sense dan beberapa artis Universal Music yang baru.

Memula ingat nak ke Pavilion melantak. Tapi atas invitation kengkawan Universal, ikut ler bebudak Nidji and their management nak gi makan.

Destination?

Atas pilihan bebudak Nidji sendiri - nasi ayam Hainan kat Jalan Bukit Bintang tuh. Merasalah meka datang KL kena merasa nasi ayam tuh sebab takde katanya yang camni kat Jakarta.

Tuh dia si Giring dalam letih sempat tuh makan banyak. Pas kita abih, we moved back to the venue to have a drink (ngan some friends and then terserempak ngan Nabila and friend - which kalao korang ada follow Twitter aku nampak la pic) while bebudak Nidji balik hotel jap berehat and freshen up.

A couple of hours later, it was showtime. A few artistes kicked off the line-up of the night. Finally the big names came out. Beginning with 6ixth Sense.. and then Aizat. I think they did three songs each kalao tak silap aku.

And then it was on to the main show. The boys performed six or seven songs in total. Maybe more. I lost count sebab aku dok sibuk headbanging. Suka suka suka!!!! Forget all the other songs (including all time fave Laskar Pelangi). Aku tunggu Sang Mantan je. Fell in love with it masa meka perform it kat Soundrenaline. Memang enjoy gila.

Ended the night, said goodnight to the boys. Sempat tambah contacts list aku kat Blackberry (matilah addict sungguh aku nih).

Pastuh gerak nak gi jumpa kawan-kawan. Banyak gak gosip dapat.

By the way, kalao korang interested to know, Kris Allen - the American Idol will be in town this coming Monday! Woohoo! Yeay yeay! I like him, so definitely will be there. This, I believe is the first announcement of his coming here (almost sure.. but I could be wrong), so whatever it is, nanti aku confirm dates and such ASAP when I get more info.

Now, I just need to call it a night. Esok banyak article nak wat. Work piling up... not a good thing.

Oh by the way, sapa peminat Nidji (sapa bukan kena give them a try), aku akan upload several videos of their performance. Must see!

Until then.. night all.

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