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20 November 2007
Short Talk:
Eddie, the guy who challenged me to do my first marathon sent me a gift all the way from the US. With it is a note says "Either continue running marathons. Or wear this for life!"
When I saw what he actually gave me, I laughed my heart out. Thanks Eddie!
Suki, Faizal & The Black Eyed Peas
A few weeks ago I was in Bangkok, Thailand on the invitation of The 8 Unit and Pepsi Malaysia.
It was a media trip and I was tasked to cover the Black Eyed Peas in concert. For someone like me who's not even considered an entertainment reporter, obviously I was very excited. How often do I get the chance to watch such a huge international pop group perform live AND be allowed to take all the photos I want, right?
For Suki and Faizal, they got it even better.
Suki and Faizal took out the first and second places on 8TV's One In A Million, and since then life hadn't been the same.
The two of them were only just getting used to their new-found fame, and already Pepsi has snapped them up to become their official brand ambassadors in Malaysia. That is good news for them, because The Black Eyed Peas are also Pepsi's ambassadors.
During this trip, not only would Suki and Faizal be meeting their idols up close and personal, they would be doing the one and only interview the Black Eyed Peas have agreed to for their Thailand tour.
We knew this trip was gonna be a memorable one. But even before we left the gates of KLIA, we were already met with some dramas.
You see, Faizal said he was so excited he didn't sleep the night before. That's understandable. But apparently the guy was so over the top about the trip, he had completely forgotten about the "no liquids on international flights" security rule.
Inside his hand-carry luggage, the bugger packed: a water bottle, perfume, toothpaste, SHAMPOO, three different types of hair creams and (I'm not kidding) A FREAKING HAIR DRYER. With so many prohibited items on board, obviously he kena stopped by security lah!
I can understand the perfume and the water bottle. But what the heck was he thinking bringing a HAIR DRYER on board?
Needless to say, most of his stuff was confiscated. Fortunately though, Faizal's hair dryer managed to escape unharmed.
THE HAIR LIVES.
So anyway, after that silly incident at the airport, the group of us finally arrived at Bangkok Suvanarbhumi Airport together with the 8TV contest winners and corporate sponsors .
We were whisked away to the JW Marriot Hotel where the Black Eyed Peas was scheduled make their media appearance. Suki and Faizal went to the holding room to prepare for their exclusive interview.
Meanwhile, I was joined by other journalists in the press conference room.
You could feel the electricity in the air as the anticipation mounted on the arrival of The Black Eyed Peas. I could feel I was literally shaking in my seat, and it ain't 'cos of the Tom Yam Goong I ate earlier.
It is 'cos this is the first time I'd be meeting a band of such amazing calibre.
Before long, the beautiful Thai emcee walked up on stage and spurted out a series of kaps and kongs and a string of other Thai words I couldn't comprehend.
Whatever man. With a body so hot liddat, she can kong whatever she wants and I'd be happy to kap it anyway.
But sexy emcee aside, the highlight of the press conference was of course...
THE BLACK EYED PEAS.
TABOO!
APL.DE.AP!
WILL.I.AM!
FERGIE FERG, what's up babyyyyy???
How many number one hits have they accomplished.
How many times have we danced to their music.
How many times we listened to their songs, from Let's Get It Started, to Where Is The Love, to MY HUMPS. OMG.
It was such surreal feeling to see them appear in front of me, in the flesh just like that.
When you talk about music artistes that have achieved international stardom, you think about Britney Spears, you think about Justin Timberlake, you think about the Black Eyed Peas. If I have never been starstruck before, I am now well and truly starstruck.
Fergie may appear to be the most successful out of the group, but will.i.am is definitely the brains behind the Peas.
The guy is just the epitome of coolness. If anyone knows cool, it's him.
will.i.am would hardly crack a smile, and when he does, it's a smirk. The entire time he's on stage, he was completely calm, collected and confident.
Still, the guy can be goofy without even trying.
Fergie, on the other hand, was everything I expected her to be, and more.
I've listened to her interviews before, and one thing that always struck me was how honest and down-to-earth she is despite her success. Normally, mega-stars would be deliberately try to avoid answering difficult questions.
But not Fergie.
Ask her about anything. From her crystal meth addiction in the past, to this one time she peed in her pants on stage, Fergie would tackle all those questions with nothing to hide.
How not to admire her like that?!
One thing I didn't quite understand though was the local Thai media.
Opportunities like these don't come easy, and normally you'd see tons of photographers stacked out on the front of the stage. But for some reason, the Thai photographers and reporters were all seen quietly sitting at the back of the room.
It was as if The Black Eyed Peas was their high school teacher who would ask difficult questions if they do not paying attention. The military junta sure has an effect on its people's obedience.
So while the rest of the media cowered at the back, I strutted up to the front and took an empty seat on the first row labelled "VIP". Not like there was any security to chase me away. ;)
I ended up with some of the best photos from the press conference.
The Black Eyed Peas presenting an autographed memorabilia to a charity auction winner.
The money they raised go towards helping disadvantaged children and tsunami-affected villages.
I caught up with the charity auction winners after the press conference, and they said they've paid 30,000 baht (RM3,000) each for a jacket from Fergie and Taboo!
That is just... incredible.
The best part of the evening gotta be when I returned to look for Suki and Faizal after their exclusive interview.
Yes, Fergie is actually THAT tiny
As it turned out, the Peas were still hanging around the room after they concluded the interview. I was lucky enough to catch them before they leave.
Knowing that this was probably my one and only chance to make an impression on Fergie, I seized the opportunity to hold her hand and say to her.
Kenny: Hey Fergie! I love your music!
Fergie: Thank you!
Kenny: ...
Kenny: Umm... yay?
Ok fine, so it didn't work out quite as well as I hoped for.
But that's alright.
At least I got an autograph from all four of the Black Eyed Peas! :)
:: Posted by Kenny at 8:59 PM | Link | Facebook It
:: Categorised as 'Event Coverage'
75 Comments:
Cool. I love Black Eye Pea's songs, quite meaningful. =D Lucky you
Posted by: LJ F@cToR at 20 November 2007 9:04 PM | Link to comment
EBAY THAT SIGNATURE !
Posted by: Nicevil at 20 November 2007 9:04 PM | Link to comment
OMG! I love Black eye peas!!
Posted by: Ashley at 20 November 2007 9:12 PM | Link to comment
suki looks way much older than her actual age with the heavy make up....
Posted by: jiaqi at 20 November 2007 9:12 PM | Link to comment
EyeD*
Posted by: Ashley at 20 November 2007 9:13 PM | Link to comment
i love suki..... HAWT!!!
Posted by: Syafiq at 20 November 2007 9:14 PM | Link to comment
She wet her pant because she has a small bladder?
Posted by: window.open("index.php", null,"resizable=no,top=6000,left=6000") at 20 November 2007 9:17 PM | Link to comment
Suki looks so old...
Posted by: Alistair at 20 November 2007 9:32 PM | Link to comment
wow, you are so lucky!! Make sure you keep the autograph somewhere safe, ok?
Posted by: Envious at 20 November 2007 9:34 PM | Link to comment
cool coverage!!
Posted by: yup at 20 November 2007 9:37 PM | Link to comment
cool~
Posted by: Ulat at 20 November 2007 9:38 PM | Link to comment
ehh so cool!
Posted by: Salamahafifi at 20 November 2007 9:38 PM | Link to comment
Lol, nvr thought Fergie looks so small in real life
Posted by: Edward at 20 November 2007 9:40 PM | Link to comment
Hope u will have some vids next time
Posted by: Alfred at 20 November 2007 9:43 PM | Link to comment
KENNY, CAN GIVE ME THE AUTOGRAPH?PLEASE?
Posted by: protek at 20 November 2007 9:51 PM | Link to comment
Fergie is that small???
Posted by: Shekinah Jane at 20 November 2007 10:17 PM | Link to comment
omg i'm so jealous! i love black eyed peas and you got their autograph!!!
Posted by: ariel at 20 November 2007 10:23 PM | Link to comment
kenny, i envy you...
Posted by: bre!nda at 20 November 2007 10:23 PM | Link to comment
pfft. wut is a black eyed peas? who are they?
Posted by: another malaysian living in fear. at 20 November 2007 10:38 PM | Link to comment
after the teaser photo had been published, finally the cover appears almost 1 month and a half later
No complaints though, anybody would want to be in Kenny's place right now...
JUST tell me WHO wouldn't?!?
Posted by: Nightfall at 20 November 2007 10:39 PM | Link to comment
Rock-la man, you... cool!! make everyone jealous only. :P
Posted by: jane gracio at 20 November 2007 10:50 PM | Link to comment
wow.. so cool.. i have no better words..
Posted by: Yurneric at 20 November 2007 11:08 PM | Link to comment
Suki is single, you should pull Suki's hand than Fergie. She is even prettier, dont tell me you dont have a chance.
www.hanafionline.com
Posted by: hanafi at 20 November 2007 11:11 PM | Link to comment
the thai girl won the aucyion looks cute......
Posted by: chengsun at 20 November 2007 11:14 PM | Link to comment
YOU.ARE.SO.DAMN.LUCKY.KENNY.SIA!!!! BLACK EYED PEAS N FERGIE OMFG!!!!! Damn I need some valiums.
Posted by: leongsoon at 20 November 2007 11:36 PM | Link to comment
don't worry Suki...you looks great!
Posted by: HeadHunter at 20 November 2007 11:50 PM | Link to comment
Thai fans are known to be REALLY crazy (and SUPER rich)!!
There's this Korean boyband who had auctioned their signed calendars, and those who bid the highest gets the autographed calendars and a chance to meet them in person when they held their Thailand fan-meeting.
The highest bid was more than 60,000baht (RM6000+).
Or was it 130,000baht? Can't really remember, i just know there were lotsa zeros behind.
Posted by: eiko-chan at 21 November 2007 12:16 AM | Link to comment
That Fergie is so sexy,
I'll bet she, through her music videos and her concerts here, must have help to increase the arousal level of an increased number of our legal and illegal immigrants (Indons, Banglas, Nepalese, etc.) and local men (Malays, Chinese, Indians) in our country. Some of whom happens to live, work or lepak near the vicinities where our sisters, 9 year old daughters, nieces, wives, girlfriends and other female relatives & acquaintances also happens to live, work or lepak.
They also say that, "if you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem."
I would have liked to thank her for being part of the solution to the problem of not having enough aroused immigrant and local men around our womenfolk.
Bambang Trihardmodjo,
Acquisitions Committee,
NAILMEN,
National Association of Immigrant and Local Men of Malaysia
Posted by: Bambang at 21 November 2007 12:32 AM | Link to comment
i hate u kenny..i really do..envy u
Posted by: daosz at 21 November 2007 12:36 AM | Link to comment
I.am.jealous.
with capital J!
:p
Posted by: sie at 21 November 2007 1:18 AM | Link to comment
ARGHH...
can't imagine the feeling..
desperately hope that I were u!!!
love them very much!!
show us more photos that u get..
describe more pls...
haaaa
Posted by: fa at 21 November 2007 1:46 AM | Link to comment
YOU ARE SO LUCKY!
Posted by: carmen at 21 November 2007 2:09 AM | Link to comment
Argh!
I would love to see the black eye pea in person too!
Wish I could own their autograph.
Posted by: natalie at 21 November 2007 6:12 AM | Link to comment
Fergie's answer got me laughing lol.
Bad first impression Sia.
Posted by: Seizhin at 21 November 2007 7:08 AM | Link to comment
Ha ha ...
I love your music and yay? WTF? ROFL
Good for you man ... hope to see more of yr awesome reviews :P
Posted by: Affinity for football at 21 November 2007 7:48 AM | Link to comment
Aiya Kenny! You should have said this:
"Hey Fergie. If you're a pea, let me be your pod baby!"
Posted by: Ah Beng at 21 November 2007 8:06 AM | Link to comment
u owe me big,man. said will take will.i.am's autograph for me!!!!! i hate youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu..
no, will.i.am ,apl and taboo are the original members of BEP. and fergie is NOT the most successful of the lot. u didn't pay attention to their music earlier doesn't mean they weren't big b4. they were BIGGGG ok.
btw, pepsi malaysia is very the low-cost ah. don't say siti lah. mawi also cannot afford ka. get suki and whathisface pulak.
kinda makes pepsi emulating airasia.. "now everyone also can be pepsi icon" considering ppl like MJ, britney, alicia keys and all the mega mega superstars were pepsi spokespersons...
AHEM
Posted by: naeboo at 21 November 2007 8:21 AM | Link to comment
err.. to be honest. I nvr heard of black eye peas bfore :P.. anyway i'm listening to their song now :) . yeap i like it.. cool
thanks kenny!!
p/s I love suki suki suki suki
Posted by: aNgMoTan ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.kennysia.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at 21 November 2007
8:46 AM | Link to comment
WHOAH! U R REALLY LUCKY!HAVE A NICE DAY!
Posted by: HORNY ANG MOH at 21 November 2007 9:23 AM | Link to comment
man boobs ARE sexy.
Posted by: nadnut at 21 November 2007 10:28 AM | Link to comment
wheres ur hse kenny , i come steal ur autograph bwahahahahaah ^^
Posted by: theLILdude at 21 November 2007 10:37 AM | Link to comment
eeeee... Suki's eyes "tau kai" wan...alignment lari...tsk...tsk...
Posted by: Idioooooooook at 21 November 2007 10:42 AM | Link to comment
waaargh! lucky u!
and whaddup with the...
Kenny: Umm... yay?
she's tiny!
Posted by: crushice at 21 November 2007 11:06 AM | Link to comment
u know who get most of my attn in all those pics? Its u kenny...!
u r really fat...lol jk ....no lar chubby lar ok >-P
Posted by: avispek at 21 November 2007 12:13 PM | Link to comment
*envy*envy*
wow.. Fergie really that Tiny ah? o_O
Posted by: ahlost at 21 November 2007 12:17 PM | Link to comment
lucky kenny :(
i'll bid if you ebay their signatures :P
Posted by: xinyun at 21 November 2007 1:29 PM | Link to comment
kennnyyy.. u totally blocked fergieee...
Posted by: wen at 21 November 2007 1:51 PM | Link to comment
I...I...I... Hate jiu!!!!
Posted by: Nicole at 21 November 2007 3:17 PM | Link to comment
Just why did Fergie peed her pants har?...
Posted by: chubby chin at 21 November 2007 4:25 PM | Link to comment
!!!!! fergie is sexy and tiny !!!!!
Posted by: i love Fergie at 21 November 2007 4:47 PM | Link to comment
fergie still look so pretty and young without heavy make-up, hairdo and dress-up... ehem2, i didnt mention abt comparing, did i...?
kenny, you grabbed the right hand... *applause*
but the conversation; you sounded like you're not their biggest fan oni...? aiyohhh....
Posted by: "wrapper" at 21 November 2007 4:49 PM | Link to comment
Welcome back Mr. Kenny. You finally come back to ur usual blog.
Posted by: raymond at 21 November 2007 6:03 PM | Link to comment
Faizal is definitely "one in a million" :)
Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 21 November 2007 7:36 PM | Link to comment
uh..what do you think Fergie will think??
"uh..yay" ..what??? hehe...i thought you were going to hug her straight away..HAHA
Posted by: christine at 21 November 2007 8:23 PM | Link to comment
I actually think Justin Timberlake and Britney are on a whole different level to the B.E.P.s - but I'm happy that you got to meet them and that you had a good time.
Posted by: d at 21 November 2007 9:05 PM | Link to comment
Uuhhh!!! You're so lucky to be there.. How I wish I can be like you...
And aiyo... guy is guy. Like to gap girl...
Posted by: curryegg at 21 November 2007 10:46 PM | Link to comment
i love teh BEP !
kacang mata hitam.
Posted by: benjamin and yus at 22 November 2007 7:30 AM | Link to comment
you lucky bugger ;)
The pics are really nice..
Posted by: alvinb at 22 November 2007 7:53 AM | Link to comment
Running marathons will give you man boobs. Imagine the muscle depletion and catabolism. tsk tsk. Running long distance are making pussies of men.
Posted by: tjun at 22 November 2007 8:33 AM | Link to comment
woah... X Dkacang..
in chinese they say it as " bu tail tong"
Posted by: RollsRoyce at 22 November 2007 1:34 PM | Link to comment
Your so lucky!
Posted by: (: at 22 November 2007 4:11 PM | Link to comment
omg i'm such a huge HUGE fan of faizal tahir! like, talk about being 'one in a million', right?
fergie looks hot, and the pics look fab. you know, as per usual.
Posted by: aaronparan at 22 November 2007 5:09 PM | Link to comment
lol fergie xD
Posted by: k one a n at 22 November 2007 5:47 PM | Link to comment
Lol, the Thai host looks like a stereotypical Thai.... man/lady 8-)
Lucky bugger 8-) Sounds like you had a good time!
Posted by: lainey at 22 November 2007 7:52 PM | Link to comment
Ermmm...the Thai emcee looks kinda 'man-ish'
Posted by: Anne at 22 November 2007 9:53 PM | Link to comment
Just one question kenny... where do u get all these leave from work to attend all these functions???
Posted by: zewt at 23 November 2007
12:13 AM | Link to comment
Is it before or after Suki & Faizal appear in Cineleisure? I saw them there when I was there 2weeks ago.
Posted by: Josh at 23 November 2007 6:59 AM | Link to comment
before.
i remember i got kenny's sms from thailand b4 i got my bag stolen, which is more than 2wks ald..
Posted by: naeboo at 23 November 2007 7:45 AM | Link to comment
i think ur blog is getting bored...
Posted by: rev at 23 November 2007 3:26 PM | Link to comment
zewt, from my boss?
Posted by: kennysia at 24 November 2007
2:33 AM | Link to comment
so nice.. went to bangkok
Posted by: johnny at 24 November 2007 5:27 AM | Link to comment
btw, pepsi malaysia is very the low-cost ah. don't say siti lah. mawi also cannot afford ka. get suki and whathisface pulak.
"stoopid asshole comment"
Posted by: kent at 27 November 2007 3:52 PM | Link to comment
Ahhhh!!! I WANT TO GOOOO tHEREEEE!!!!sell that signature on ebay and u shall be rich!
Posted by: feni at 12 December 2007 9:35 PM | Link to comment
Darn luckyla you, Kenny! But then again, you worked for it and become a well known blogger.. whenla I can be like you - a lucky, successful blogger? hehe .. but then again, I don't have your guts, so not sure if i'll have the chance to be starstruck like you did!
Posted by: -MB- at 07 January 2008 4:21 PM | Link to comment
Your FACING FERGIE and all you can say is YAY????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Posted by: Shish at 21 January 2008 10:56 AM | Link to comment
com
