Hello everyone, i'm new here and i decided to post my first msg in this very memorable topic.
I decided to follow MI2 from the beginning, that means starting from auditions, this year, because i wasn't very interested in it last year, and i really regret missing out the process of Jaclyn Victor's victory, as i only started watching at the last 5 Spectaculars. So this year i was very determined to follow the competition step by step and see what is in store for MI2.
When i watched the auditions in Kuching, i was like
oh no, don't tell me there are so few talents out there!! Then when Penang auditions came, i was in "STUNNED MODE" in front of the tv when i heard so many potentials. Especially when i heard Jeslin, i was thinking, hmm, this girl might have a chance. Then when it came do Daniel, i was thinking, "No wonder they are best friends! Both can sing so well!! But this guy is a little different from the rest, can't tell what though..." And his rendition of "Heaven Knows" was stuck in my head as i compared it to the other contestants. I was really impressed how soothing and smooth his voice were, because normally males have a low register, deep and husky voice. But Daniel's voice was so unique that i could distinctly distinguish him from the other contestants. He stood out and created an identity of his own, as the Penang guy that came with his best friend, and shown great support to each other.
When the theatre eliminations started, Daniel really "WOW-ed" me when he sang "Fire" with Xerra, because it was so powerful, as the title of the song suggests. The duet was performed so professionally, with all suitable emotions and both of them and a clear cut connection that the other pairs don't have, and i dare say they had the BEST PERFORMANCE in that round. Most pairs had 1 partner trying to outshine the other, or trying to cover for their partner, or just being too plainly nervous, they couldn't perform well. Thus, another identifiable performance by Daniel that made him unforgettable to me.
When Daniel cried on air, i was thinking why did the cameraman film this guy, is he trying to spoil his chances of winning, because i'm sure A LOT of other contestants will surely break down during the competition, one way or another. But they chose to focus on him instead, and i though, "Oh NOOO!!! Pls don't let this ruin his chances of winning!" Turns out that smart Paul knew a talent when he sees one, and made the very wise decision to give raw talents an opportunity to prove themselves! If not...well...i don't want to think what would MI2 be like...And that gave Daniel another identity, the boy that cried~!
Starting the competition with so many strong and memorable performances, i think Daniel already had a steady, growing fan base. Including those that knew him in person and were fans of his when he performed in Unplugged Cafes, Daniel had an edge other the other contestants. To me, Daniel, Nita, Faizul were the only contestants I could remember seeing them in the auditions. Nita, also because of her voice, BUT Faizul because i thought he shouldn't have been in the competition and i did not understand why Paul let him through....
I wanted to go for the Spectaculars but I couldn't win tickets online even though I entered the competition, and I was only able to online every weekend, because I only come home every weekend from my University.
Every time Daniel sings, I have a very nice feeling, very relaxed and...well...just an indescribable nice feeling. And I feel I could get to know him better through his songs. "True" was how his personality was like on TV and in person. He was always honest, sincere and true to his fans. “Obsession” was how he felt towards his music and singing, he was obsessed and very determined to succeed. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" displayed his love, respect and appreciation to his parents and family. “Kini Bebas” was his major stepping stone to performing Malay songs and I think it will forever be Daniel’s sweet memory to be the 1st ever Malay song he performed and the BEST too!
Rock Week was actually very enjoyable for me because I really liked his performance of “In The Shadows”!! It was the best among the other contestants, and it showed that Daniel has something SPECIAL the others don’t have. I feel like once Daniel sings a song, he can bring a brand new, fresh, and amazing touch to a song, no matter it is a rock, pop, oldies or unplugged. It’s like Daniel has the Midas’s Touch, which turns everything in to gold with every touch. That was how I perceived Daniel at that time. That’s why my support grew stronger by each passing day.
Diaries was also very much anticipated by me every week as I get a chance to see Daniel close up, hear his views and know what were the activities for the week. Through the diary, I feel that Daniel really communicates to me, even though his English is not perfect, but he talks to the camera like he is talking to his friend, and that is really what the diary segment is all about. When he performed “Forever Love”, I was amazed by his ability to perform a song so naturally, with so much emotion while dedicating it solely to his fans! I was so touched by his sincerity and this really boosted my support for him. Even though I was having mid semester exams and assignments to complete, I still schedule time to follow MI2 and Diary every week, because I know that I want to watch Daniel’s performance every week.
The only roadshow I went to was the one at Carrefour, Subang Jaya on the 3rd of September 2005. There was were I saw Daniel in person for the first time, and got his autograph on the MI2 CD. I gave him a card but I don’t know if he read it because I did not see him taking it with him when he left.
When I had my final exams, I still continued to follow MI2 without fail. I knew I had to watch Daniel’s performance as I anticipate it every week. Despite objections by friends and family that I should be studying, I actually realized that I have to watch MI2 or else I just can’t concentrate without knowing how was Daniel’s performance this week and whether he got through to the next level. There were many ups and downs at the beginning of the competition, but the support Daniel received was very noticeable as he was never in the bottom before!
When I finally finished by finals, my last paper was on the 16th of September, thus enabling me to go support Daniel at Sri Pentas 2 for his Spectacular 8. I was so excited and nervous, as this was my first time going to a studio to support my Idol. I thank God for best friends that support me and went along with me to see him. We didn’t had tickets to go in, but how wonderful that we were Daniel fans, that some fans managed to secure tickets for all of us to enter. It was a very noble act and it was very much appreciated by us. When I watched Daniel’s performance live, I was really mesmerized and impressed. Even though he received criticism for “Ooh La La”, I though he did well and the song was so energetic and lively. “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” was simply awesome. I was tempted to shout that all Daniel’s fans could feel his love that night, but of course, hehe..I was camera shy. After that, the meet-the-fans session was a very meaningful time for me when I saw Daniel close up and took pictures with him. The best part was that I bought a pink T-shirt from Giordano that day (my first pink tee in my entire life) and Daniel autographed it for me! Wow, I was so thrilled that my friends were getting so bored of me showing the signature to them! I was so happy and I actually queued up twice to take picture with him.
When I went home that night, I couldn’t stop thinking about his performance. I pestered my best friend to go with me again during Results Show. I couldn’t wait to know the results. As fate goes, we managed to go again and see him on 18th September 2005. this time, I went to buy a pink T-shirt again because I did not want to wear the shirt he autographed for me the first time, in case it got dirty. I was too excited to sleep the whole night, I stayed up to do a small poster for him, that got me all covered to glitter. But it was worth it! When he got through to the Finals, I felt as though all my effort and support were recognizes by his success! Thank God too that Daniel kindly autographed the little poster for me, patiently took a picture with me after he autographed my pink tee again! So now I have 2!! I was really very thankful that Daniel was so patient, even though he must have been very tired with all that he was put through that day.
After seeing Daniel in Spectacular 8, I was determined to go to Genting! I won 5 tickets when Jien asked the question about the American Idol during the commercial break. Again, all thanks to my best friend, because her parents were so nice to bring me along to Genting! On the ever memorable 23rd September 2005, I was there supporting Daniel in AOS, wearing my autographed pink tee, and I did a banner that I was too shy to hold up because the banners made by Daniel’s family were so nice! We were sitting at the VIP section where Daniel’s family had so many nice printed banners! My best friend actually wanted to ask me to hold my banner up, but I was really very afraid, because it was really big and….well , nvm…it’s now hanging in my room! Daniel ‘s “Mimpi” was a bit of a shock because I never knew he could sing so loud! Daniel was trying to overcome the loud music from the band to be heard in the AOS, and after practicing for the Finals, I think he strained his voice too much that it went out of control. Daniel promised a better performance on his second song, which was obviously a song that brought great meaning to his life as well as his journey during MI2. “Angin Malam” was to show Daniel’s versatility in transforming an old, boring Malay song into a Daniel song.
After enduring the freezing cold weather, 24th September 2005 finally made the whole trip to Genting worthwhile as Daniel was crowned MI2! I will never be able to forget that touching moment when Jien announced Daniel’s name, I shoot out of my seat and screamed my lungs out. Daniel’s brother, Charles, who was sitting behind me also stood up and waved the banner up high together with a few girls that could really SCREAM, I think that’s when I got a small hole on my beloved pink tee!!! When Daniel sang “Mimpi”, as the reality slowly sanked in to me that he won, the feeling was so wonderful! Unable to control my emotions, tears fell as I watched Daniel belting out the song that brought him this victory! I spotted his mum in the midst of all the confusion, and gave her a hearty bear hug to congratulate her. She was so happy in her black leather jacket, hugging all the fans and thanking them for their support! Even though she doesn’t remember who I am, but I know that she is really very proud of her son, and really appreciate what the fans have done for Daniel. I did not manage to get the VIP passes from the 8tv team, so did not have a chance to meet Daniel when he celebrated his victory. But all 5 of us ran as fast as lightning back to the First World Hotel to watch the press conference. Sadly, we forgot we did not have the key, thus we only managed to watch a few minutes before it ended. Exhausted as we were, we still had energy to jump and scream in the hotel room to celebrate Daniel’s victory!
Wow, without realizing, I have spent 3 hours writing this memory. Well, it is just to share with everyone about my experience. I don’t know if Daniel will actually take the time to read this, but I just want to wish him all the best in his journey! As what I wrote in the card I gave Daniel, and my signature in the BH forum says:
D = Dazzling
A = Awesome
N = Natural
I = Impressive
E = Enchanting
L = Legendary
I really believe what I wrote in the card will come true, even though i don't have faith that Daniel actually read the card and kept it, I have faith that Daniel will become a legendary person in the Malaysia History! He has my support all the way!