The journey has ended for four Project SuperStar quarter-finalists when they were voted out of the competition last night. We met up with Candy Tan, Chen Jiaxin, Darryl Yong and Sugianto twelve hours after their tearful departure. *Videos included!
Kwok Kar Peng
Today is the second time I interviewed the quarter-finalists of Project SuperStar and I knew beforehand that it wasn’t going to be a cheery affair like before. Today, I’ll be facing the first four contestants who were eliminated from the competition last night - Sugianto, Chen Jiaxin, Darryl Yong Tze Wen and Candy Tan Jing Ying.
Recap of the Female Quarter-Final 1 & why we love the judges!
After tearful goodbyes and hugs with the rest of the contestants, the four spent a sleepless night seeking solace from friends and relatives, and then came straight over to MediaCorp this morning for interviews. Candy moaned about the long interviews and begged to be released to go home and sleep. The rest? They seemed to have recovered from their melancholy and shock and are on their way to seeking their new paths in life.
Despite the dreariness, all four sparkled back to life when we put them together for a photo shoot. Smiles shone from their faces as they fooled around with poses (Sugi being the leading livewire) and gossiped about who’s dating who. (Candy accidentally let slip that Leong Wai Keong and Chua Shi Ni are dating!)
After the photo shoot, they snapped back to reality. They will no longer enjoy the camaraderie they found with the remaining Project SuperStar contestants.
Sugianto
The results are released...
Sugi's heartfelt words
What went through your mind when you realized you were eliminated?
Everything blanked out. My mind started rewinding the days, to the times and things I did for this competition. Project SuperStar was everything to me; I did really, really a lot and would sacrifice a lot of things for this. When my name was called out, I feel it’s not justified. I feel sorry for my family and friends because I so eagerly want to make them proud of me. I feel like I let them down.
Do you feel it’s unfair you got booted out?
It’s fair. I’ve been through competitions and there are many aspects in a competition that will decide the outcome. It’s not just your singing. Sometimes you never know; it’s unpredictable. But the most important thing to me right now, is that I’d done my very, very, very best.
Could your family in Indonesia SMS or call to vote for you?
They would be charged for the calls but it wouldn’t be counted in the tally.
What are your plans?
I need to take a short break, could be few days but not longer that a few weeks. I shouldn’t be letting this get me down. I have no time to waste. My life has to go on and I’m not young anymore. I need to stand on my feet and think about what I want to do in the future. Before I was kicked out, I thought if the worst happened, I would go get an engineering job and get some cash in the bank account.
Chen Jiaxin
The results are released...
Jiaxin's heartfelt words
How did you feel on stage, waiting for the results to be released?
I didn’t want it to be myself, but I didn’t want it to be the others too. It’d be very, very sad if anyone leaves the competition. It’s an irony.
How do you feel now? Are you upset that you still have to be interviewed even after being kicked out?
I’m still alright, because one has to be emotionally prepared for this when you join a competition. Eventually, there can be only one male and one female left standing. I’m not upset; it’s after all your job to do interviews.
Why do you think you were eliminated?
It’s probably because of the lack of SMS votes. Even though I got 32 points from the judges and it’s the second-highest, 70% of the overall points still relied on SMS votes. I don’t have any relatives here in Singapore, so maybe that’s why. I’m very grateful to my friends who voted for me.
What would you have done differently, if you had the chance?
Possibly my clothes, because the judges said I look too skinny in the outfit. My voice wasn’t natural enough too because I was nervous and a bit scared when I hit the high notes.
What are your plans now?
I’ll most probably return to Hong Kong for a long stay. My family is there and I miss them a lot.
Darryl Yong Tze Wen
The results are released...
Darryl's heartfelt words
What were your feelings when you were waiting for the results?
I had two opposite thoughts going through my mind. One said I can make it through because I had a lot of people supporting me. The other said I deserve to be out based on my performance. I was a little nervous but I was mainly confident and positive. But when the results were released, it was a clear reflection of how I had performed. I was the lowest-scoring male contestant that night; I think I deserved to be eliminated.
Why did you sing so badly that night?
I was nervous. I wasn’t so sure of my vocal powers when I joined the competition. I told myself to do my best; I didn’t tell myself to improve or train. When the final 24 contestants were announced, I asked the judge Fang Zhonghua how I could improve. He told me I couldn’t sing very well, and I got through only because of my looks. Then I saw the standards of the other contestants and I got demoralized. As I grew more negative, my self-confidence dipped. I gave myself too much pressure on the day of the quarter-finals.
How do you feel now?
I couldn’t sleep the whole night and spent the time trying to collect myself. I’m out and I feel sad, but I also feel a load off. The stress has disappeared and I’m back to my so-called normal life. I feel freer and there won’t be anymore sleepless nights.
Do you think the ‘rumour’ about your relationship with contestant Silver Ang Zi Hui affected your chances?
I actually don’t know. The rumour is just a rumour. We are just good friends because we can connect well. People assume we are together just because we are good friends.
What are your plans now?
I’m going to serve my National Service soon. Then I’ll seek formal training in singing, music composition and dance, either locally or overseas like Taiwan. My parents have told me they are willing to sponsor me all the way.
Candy Tan Jing Ying
The results are released...
Candy's heartfelt words
Are you upset that you are out of the competition?
Yes, I’m very sad, not because I’m out as I know my performance was not perfect that night. I’m sad because my friends are eliminated one by one. But competitions are cruel.
How did you feel waiting for the results?
I was quite relaxed, since I already know I’d be booted out. My performance wasn’t good and the judges gave me the lowest points.
What do you think were the reasons that caused your elimination?
Luck is one factor I think. When I was on stage, I already knew that I’d be out sooner or later. I was also relaxed, so the judges felt my singing was emotionless.
If you had a second chance, what would you do?
I wouldn’t let my voice become too deep, and lose more weight. I look fatter on TV. Change my outfit too.
What are your plans?
I just want to have a long sleep now! I’ll take a break, because my voice is a little tired. Then I’ll go back to singing in cafes.
Recap of the Female Quarter-Final 1 & why we love the judges!
