*Hot! Tay Kewei drops out of PSS!
October 25, 2006
Project SuperStars most talked-about contestant drops out of the
competition mere weeks before the programme debuts, not because of
the online criticisms but
While the Project SuperStar online forum buzzes with criticisms and
support of the inclusion of Tay Kewei, a back-up vocalist for
big-time singers like David Tao, Lee Hom and JJ Lin Junjie, in the
Top 24, the 23-year-old girl was facing a greater problem: she has
to drop out of the competition.
An official statement released by Channel U today states that after
the Top 40 contestants were chosen, all were briefed on the
recordings, activities and requirements of the competition that
they must strictly comply to.
The statement reveals that Kewei failed to inform MediaCorp of her
work commitment with an external party before she signed the
contract with the company. It was on last Thursday Oct 19 that
Kewei revealed of her commitment to perform as a back-up vocalist
in a concert in December this year, smacked right in the middle of
the competition programme which debuts in November 8th.
It was also said in the press release that lateness or
nonattendance by any contestant in any of the rehearsals and
filming will not only disrupt the production of the programme, it
will also affect the time and rights of the other 23 contestants.
As a result of her inability to fully carry out the requirements of
the show, Kewei has decided to withdraw from the competition.
Mr Paul Chan, Vice-President (Branding & Promotions) of
MediaCorp TV, said, Project SuperStar has already invested time,
effort and money to mould the Top 24 contestants. Keweis departure
has certainly affected the already-completed song recording, photo
shoots and video filming. Fortunately, this happened only at the
beginning of the programme production and our colleagues have
already made the necessary adjustments. The programme will debut on
November 8 as arranged.
Kewei has been replaced by 21-year-old Customer Service Officer
Sheila Ou Qian Yu, whose brushes with fame included a role in the
Channel 8 drama Ru He Dui Ni Shuo and entering the semi-finals of
the singing competition in PSC Nite in 2002. She also won the
Singapore Polytechnic Idol singing competition.
