|
Page 1 of 2 The word "oddball" has ambivalent connotations, one that implies eccentricity and strangeness, yet it can also be taken to mean a unique individual - one who usually has no qualms about going against social norms. The latter is what probably best describes Steven Lim (of Singapore Idol fame): His individuality stands out in any crowd, and he isn't afraid to speak his mind.
HOOKED sat down with the local ‘celebrity' to see if being odd is truly more perception than truth.
The adage "beauty lies in the eye of the beholder" still largely holds
true even till today. But what about a person's personality? Is too
much enthusiasm and extroversion a bad thing in Singapore? Is the
measure of a person's personality equally subjective, rather than
objective?
This honest, in-your-face and uninhibited personality has earned him notoriety amongst Singaporeans. Mention Steven Lim and you'll immediately think of "that stripper with yellow underwear in Singapore Idol" or "that guy who plucks eyebrows around Tangs."
That being said, you have to admit that Steven does have guts, if not glory. He dares to do what many Singaporeans shirk away from, and does it with gusto. Steven can very well be considered as a free spirit, a term whose meaning is still relatively opaque for most Singaporeans.
HOOKED met up with Steven on the third day of the Chinese New Year, and we immediately formulated an impression of him as someone who is down-to-earth and who is motivated by the concept of living for today, rather than tomorrow.
Dressed in a maroon singlet and a pair of jeans, he is both personable and confident - a person evidently comfortable in his own skin. (Anyone willing to bare all on national television certainly has to be!)
"I watched Kungfu Dunk!" he told HOOKED excitedly when asked about what he did the night before. He shared with us that he couldn't make it (the interview) at an earlier time as he has a habit of sleeping in until noon.
Throughout the interview, Steven was sincere and told us that he has no illusions about his own personality and his passion for entertaining people (which he definitely has succeeded in). Contrary to common misconceptions, Steven is more similar than dissimilar to us in his desire to fulfill his ambitions.
HOOKED: You joined Star Search 2003 and Singapore Idol. How do you define your talent?
Steven Lim (SL): I like entertaining people, I think that's my forte. I like seeing people cheerful when they see my antics.
hooked: In addition to these talent shows, you've also appeared in Girls Out Loud. What was that like?
SL: It was fun! It was a recording and I was paid for that as well. I was told to act as someone who admires Xiaxue - and I get paid for having fun!
HOOKED: It seemed like you were being "attacked" on the show. Did they treat you well in reality?
SL: Not really...
HOOKED: That seems unfair. Pushing that aside, if you could choose to appear on any one TV show, what would it be?
SL: Any show of my own! I want my own variety show (because) I like to host and perform. And I'd like a lot of entertainers to come and perform with me! I can consider doing the show both in English and Chinese...
HOOKED: You've been spotted around Orchard Road offering to pluck people's eyebrows (for a fee of course!) - any tips on getting the perfect eyebrows?
SL: After you do your eyebrows, you must make sure the eyebrows suit your face. It's like a piece of art. As long as you feel that they suit your style and your face, it's okay.
HOOKED: Being a professional eyebrow plucker, what do you think about people who don't pluck their eyebrows?
SL: No particular feeling. It's either you want it or you don't want it.
HOOKED: Since you've stopped plucking eyebrows, what have you been up to?
SL: Oh! I now have my own model agency - stevenlim.net models! I have 133 models at the moment. I take in new talent, recruit people and push them to entertainment, acting and events. I started the modeling agency in the beginning of 2007.
I've also performed for banks like HSBC, ABN AMRO, NOL, (and) Starhub. I sing and dance, (and) sometimes I do stripping too...(pauses) yellow swimming trunks!
HOOKED: (Tries to suppress laughter) So out of everything you've tried so far - an eyebrow plucker, being on TV and a blogger - which endeavour did you enjoy the most?
SL: I like being on TV and blogging! You may call me an oddball but even after Singapore Idol in 2004, I'm still here. People still recognize me! Even if you call me an "oddball" or a loser, I am one of the better ones. Being on TV gives me a license to entertain.
My dream is to become a full-time artiste in MediaCorp. If I have that chance, it would be a bonus. If I don't get it, it's ok lor - I'm still surviving!
HOOKED: Speaking of performing on TV, where do you get all your ideas for your YouTube videos?
SL: I like to be original. I use ideas that can work and (that) the audience will like. I aim for my videos to be impactful and different! I recommend you to see my video on the Edison (Chen) scandal!
(Note: For the uninformed, a series of photos featuring Edison Chen, Cecelia Chung, Gillian Chung and Bobo Chan in very compromising positions were leaked onto the internet. People, remember to keep your private photos, well, private!)
<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>
|
