3 December 2009 - The highly anticipated SpideRider, Singapore’s first
online global talent competition, unveiled its distinguished panel of judges
today. The judges come from a range of backgrounds, which include
hairstyling, make up, dance, music, opera and theatre and are respected
experts in their chosen fields.

There are 18 judges for this competition which include James Kang, A&R /
Marketing Director, Regional Department of Warner Music Singapore Pte Ltd;
Simon Jerome Nasser, Marketing Director, International Department of
Warner Music Singapore Pte Ltd; Irene Ang, Founder / FLY Entertainment
Artiste of FLY Entertainment Pte Ltd; Ian Fong, CEO of Yellobus; Haresh
Sharma, Resident Playwright of The Necessary Stage; Ng Siew Eng,
General Manager of Singapore Lyric Opera; Lim Hui Ling, Artiste
Development Manager of FLY Entertainment Pte Ltd; Zaki Ahmad,
Choreographer; Peter Tan, Founder of The Music Clinic Pte Ltd; Kuo Jian
Hong, Artistic Director of The Theatre Practice; Casey Teh, Director of
Simmons(SEA) Pte Ltd; Alvan Loo General Manager of Singapore Dance
Theatre; Allan Wu, FLY Entertainment Artiste of FLY Entertainment Pte Ltd;
Beatrice Chia, FLY Entertainment Artiste of FLY Entertainment Pte Ltd ; Ron
Lee (LJ), Assistant General Manager of Sky Fitness; Jason Quek,
Operations Manager of Royal Copenhagen Singapore Pte Ltd; Leon Lim,
Music and Audio Lecturer from Singapore Polytechnic; and Lynus Hee,
Visual Effects Lecturer from Singapore Polytechnic.

Simmons, the premiere name for mattresses and sleep accessories has come
in as presenting sponsor of SpideRider. According to Casey Teh, Director of
Simmons Southeast Asia Pte Ltd, “We are honoured to be approached and
happy to support SpideRider as it is Singapore’s first online global talent
competition. Simmons has always been a big supporter of the arts. Simmons
also believes in grooming young budding talents since its first arts
sponsorship in Beauty World, featuring fresh face, Elena Wang. A firm
believer in innovation, Simmons trusts the new way to reach out and engage
its younger target audience is via online. We are certainly blessed with such
an opportunity to back an alternative form of media that promotes the arts.”

When asked, what sets SpideRider apart from the other talent searches one
of the judges Peter Tan founder of The Music Clinic Pte Ltd said, “It is not the
usual singing competition one often sees. Through Internet, it will be more
widespread and is a faster way to discover talents. It not only involves local
contestants but also contestants from other parts of the world.”
Talents with a knack for singing, dancing, juggling, performing magic, playing
a musical instrument, yodeling, catwalking, whistling, doing acrobatics, or
showcasing any skill that’ll make jaws drop are highly encouraged to take part
in SpideRider!

If these talents impress our judges and voters, they will have a once-in-alifetime
chance to attain global fame and fortune and become an overnight
online sensation like Susan Boyle and Paul Potts. The Winner will stand to
win US$10,000 in cash and prizes as well as a golden opportunity to secure a
contract worth up to US$50,000, subjected to the judges’ discretion and
jurisdiction.

Irene Ang, Founder, FLY Entertainment Pte Ltd another one of the judges
said that she agreed to become a judge for SpideRider because she felt
SpideRider recognizes all sorts of talents and provides a window of
opportunity for people to dare follow their passion. “It’s not easy as there are
many pressures these days so a contest like SpideRider makes it really
accessible for people to give it a shot without anything to lose” she added.
Another judge from FLY Entertainment is artist Allan Wu, who indicated that
although there isn't an exact formula or recipe he will be looking out for the
right combination of wit and charm intermixed with presentation and poise.
And if he sees it, he'll be sure to let everyone know.

Beatrice Chia also from FLY Entertainment said that the celebrity-in-themaking
should be “Someone with versatility and something extraordinary to
share. He/She should also have a can-do attitude as well as a fierce passion
and professionalism for performance”. To this Lim Hui Ling added that she will
also not only be looking out for personality but a global citizen who can relate
to anyone from anywhere.

Being part of the talent critics are well known members of theatre and arts
groups in Singapore like Singapore Lyric Opera, The Necessary Stage, The
Theatre Practice and Singapore Dance Theatre.

Kuo Jian Hong, Artistic Director of The Theatre Practice mentioned that
although it would be tough to watch clips after clips on the internet especially
after staring at the computer screen for too many hours, she will be looking
out for someone who will not only catch her attention at 2am but will also
make her forward the link to all her friends.

Ng Siew Eng, General Manager of Singapore Lyric Opera, on the other hand
said ”it takes someone who is naturally talented and hardworking.” She feels
how talent is not just hard work alone and mentioned how the person should
possess an ‘IT’ factor.

Like the rest, Haresh Sharma, Resident Playwright of The Necessary Stage
feels that he will be looking out for someone who possesses talent, presence
and intelligence.

Alvan Loo, General Manager, Singapore Dance Theatre was asked what
characteristics will he be looking out for the next “rising talent” that will be
discovered in SpideRider. He responded “Someone creepy crawly once said,
‘with great power comes great responsibility’ – I'll be looking for someone who
can handle the mantle of fame and fortune with an equanimity of mind that is
not determined by age.”

Another figure in dance, choreographer Zaki Ahmad, mentioned how he’s
looking forward to spot the next superstar of dance like Flatley, Hines or
Baryshnikov in Singapore. Or else it will also be great if he discovers this
superstar from overseas on SpideRider.

Notable people from music also gave their two cents worth. Simon Jerome
Nasser from Warner Music Singapore added humour by mentioning how he is
looking out for an eight legged “rising talent” and goes on to explain how, “1
leg for the voice, 2 legs for overall presentation, 3 legged for star quality, 4
legged for originality, 5 legged for diversity, 6 legged for grooves, 7 legged for
people connection and lastly but most importantly 8 legged singing from the
heart.

James Kang also from Warner Music Singapore added the ‘rising talent’
“Should possess that kind of X-Factor that not only transcends language and
culture but also be popular across the different continents. Something that
makes me laugh and say “wow” at the same time.”

Ron Lee (LJ), Assistant General Manager of Sky Fitness stressed how he
hates ‘me-too’ performance and added how he is looking for an icon
regardless of nationality and feels that the rising talent must have “Unique
Selling Proposition” as there are thousands who can sing, dance or play
instruments and the only way to stand out among the contestants is to “Be
Different”

Jason Quek, Operations Manager of Royal Copenhagen Singapore Pte Ltd
indicated how the ‘rising talent’ should have originality, creativity and be bold
in expression.

Representing the academe are Leon Lim and Lynus Hee from Singapore
Polytechnic. Leon states that the though he does not know what he will be
looking for he will know it when he sees it as, “That person will have a je ne
sais quoi, that ineffable X factor that would make me laugh or cry or hold my
breath or sit up and pay attention, fortunately I have been involved in enough
projects that I will know what I am looking for when I find it!” For Lynus, like
other judges he is looking for a winner that can appeal to both local and
international audience. “I think in Singapore we are still waiting for our first
international superstar that can break out of the Asian market to the more
lucrative US, European and Japanese market.

Ian Fong, the CEO and the brain behind Yellobus thought of this unique
competition not only to uncover the next rising star but also to place
Singapore on the world map as it catches future celebrity-in-the-making.
Yellobus is part of the Bvleon Investment Group.

HOW TO JOIN IN THE FAME GAME?
There’s no better time to get in front of a camera! A video clip of the
participants performing their respective talents is all that is needed. They will
need to submit their video clip to SpideRider via the Yellobus portal and that’s
their ticket to stardom.
They will need to gather their supporters and rally for their online votes. Their
path to fame and glory will depend solely with the number of votes they get
from their online fans. Participants can submit their entry at
www.yellob.us/spiderider

For media inquiries, please contact:
Revathi
PR Executive
Sirius Art Pte Ltd
T: 6324 8722
E: revathi@siriusart.com.sg

Tim De Guzman
Asst PR Manager
Sirius Art Pte Ltd
T: 6324 8723
E: tim@siriusart.com.sg
 

Aryanti Kamar Clarke
PR Manager
Sirius Art Pte Ltd
T: 6324 8721
E: aryanti@siriusart.com.sg