So what if she’s been called an auntie on national TV? Homegrown crooner JOANNA DONG has come a long way from her Singapore Idol days and now embraces her inner auntie with aplomb.
In June, Nathan Hartono exhorted his 116K Instagram followers to catch the new season of Sing! China. “Who knows, maybe Singapore will have a new contestant out there to fly our flag?” the singer wrote. Enter Joanna Dong, 2017’s answer to Nathan and Singapore’s newest singing ambassador.
During a blind audition on the first episode of this season’s popular reality TV show, the 35-year-old jazz singer impressed the judges — Jay Chou, Eason Chan, Na Ying and Chinese songwriter Liu Huan — with not only her nuanced jazzy rendition of ‘80s Chinese classic ‘Love Song 1990’ but also a vocal trumpet solo. Three of them — Jay, Eason and Liu Huan — came forward for her. We must mention that Jay was the first to hit the buzzer and slide forward, merely a minute into Joanna’s performance. No wonder, just like Nathan, who emerged first runner-up in the previous season, Joanna choose to be on #TeamJayChou. And just like her predecessor, Joanna’s fame has also increased exponentially — her performance on the show has racked up over 400k views (and counting) on YouTube.
Joanna, who is also a theatre actress and TV host, has been singing jazz for over a decade now and has performed at countless local festivals. She’s married to theatre practitioner, Zachary Ho.
Denne historien er fra August 3, 2017-utgaven av 8 Days.
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Denne historien er fra August 3, 2017-utgaven av 8 Days.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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What a G.E.M.!
Hongkong singer and new Tag Heuer global ambassador G.E.M. TANG, in town recently for F1, has a “guilty indulgence” that will just make you feel more guilty about yours.
The Twins Effect
Is the local showbiz scene big enough for both JAYLEY and HAYLEY WOO to twin and win? We compare and contrast.
Wake-Up Call
Following SHINee frontman JONGHYUN's suicide after a long struggle with depression, fans and celebs are urging the K-pop industry to pay more attention to the well-being of their artistes.
Coming Clean
Chart-topping British band CLEAN BANDIT, in town on Jan 22 for a gig, may be famous for using classical music in their hits, but that won’t stop them from collaborating with Beyoncé, as bassist Jack Patterson tells us over the phone.
Wong Time Right Target
The always-glam FANN WONG goes glum for her first major movie role in three years.
Star Ship Troopers
Space Travel is about to get more exciting. Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence, two actors already in Hollywood’s Stratosphere, take off this week for the Sci-Fi Romance Passengers.
Sandra Riley Tang, 25
The Sam Willo ws singer works out because “I really love to eat”. Yes, The Yoga Cofounder’s fad diet days are definitely over.
Comme What May
The man behind the Comme des F***down streetwear, Rusland Karablin, is so Zen (check out the mantra emblazoned on his swag), he doesn’t mind that everyone from Bugis to Bangkok is bootlegging his stuff.
“My Parents Told Me: You're On Your Own Now”
Getting cut off financially by her folks turned Asia’s Next Top Model alum AIMEE CHENG- BRADSHAW into a “super frugal” model. Except when it comes to yoga and shoes.
A Slice Of New York In Singapore
WOLFGANG’S STEAKHOUSE at the new Intercontinental Singapore Robertson Quay offers an authentic NYC steakhouse dining experience. But be prepared to leave with a much emptier wallet and smelling of beef fat.
