Zoe to perform peacock dance - for a good cause
Zoe Tay will emulate the bird in President's Star Charity 2016 act
She is gorgeous and graceful in real life, so portraying a peacock in a dance should come naturally to Zoe Tay.
Still, the Queen of Caldecott Hill is nervous about her performance at the President's Star Charity 2016 show later this month, even though she will be accompanied by members of the Dance Ensemble Singapore.
Speaking to The New Paper at a press conference yesterday for the event, the 48-year-old actress said: "When my manager sent me the clip of the dance, I said, 'Surely I can't do all those moves all by myself. I am so out of practice.'"
The mother of three recalled that her last dance lessons were at least eight years ago, to get her figure back after the birth of her second son Ashton, who is nine.
Her Chinese dance item, titled Plenteous Love, will see her emulating the elegant moves of a peacock.
It is about how a peacock grows its beautiful feathers over time, similar to how people with special needs can grow to their full potential with the right nurturing.
DEMANDING
Tay has only eight rehearsals to perfect her dance and she admitted it has been physically demanding.
"I was aching all over from the moves, since it has been so long since I danced.
"(The instructors) told me my muscles would ache less over time if I stretched, but I don't know if that is true because I am sore after every practice," she joked.
Asked if she was concerned about bringing in more donations since the economy is not in good shape, Tay said: "I don't feel any pressure at all. I will just do my best."
Tay has been in many President's Star Charity shows in her more than 20 years in showbiz.
"Don't ask me how many, because I can't count any more," she said with a laugh.
She continues to be involved because she feels a responsibility as an artist to give back to the community.
She said: "I see old aunties selling cardboard in Chinatown and I want to help them.
"I actually stopped one such auntie and tried to pass her some notes, but she turned me down because she said she only sold cardboard to fill her time, not because she was poor."
"I want to help the less fortunate and this is a good way to do it because I know the proceeds are going to those who are truly needy."
LIVE ON OCT 23
The President's Star Charity show will be aired live on Channel 5 on Oct 23 at 7.30pm, and will be hosted by news presenter Glenda Chong and actor Chua Enlai.
All proceeds will go towards the 58 charities supported by the President's Challenge, including the Community Chest, Children's Cancer Foundation and the St John's Home for Elderly Persons.
Highlights from the two-hour show include performances by the cast of the musical Wicked, which is running here, Taiwanese singer Chyi Yu, local singers Tanya Chua, Taufik Batisah and Sezairi Sezali.
Celebrities, including Tay Ping Hui, Kym Ng, Sonia Chew, Jayley Woo and James Seah, will perform in an All Star Choir segment along with the ITE Show Choir.
This year's show will also include a tribute to the late former president S R Nathan, a long-time supporter of the President's Star Charity and the founder of the President's Challenge.
I want to help the less fortunate, and this is a good way to do it because I know the proceeds are going to those who are truly needy.
- Zoe Tay on why she takes part in the President's Star Charity shows
To donate, call 1900-112-8821 for a $5 donation, 1900-112-8822 for a $20 donation, or 1900-112-8823 for a $100 donation, or donate online at www.giving.sg/psc2016
Lines are open now.
She'll sing, play piano but will 'never dance'
Rebecca Lim is playing to her strengths for her fourth President's Star Charity show - playing the piano and singing in a group.
The 30-year-old actress will sing Justin Timberlake's Can't Stop The Feeling! along with all the celebrities taking part for its opening number.
Lim will also accompany singers Chyi Yu, Tanya Chua and Taufik Batisahon the piano for the finale - the Bette Midler hit, Wind Beneath My Wings.
"For my previous President's Star Charity shows, I've performed dances and sung songs, but I think (the organisers) realised it was not so ideal, so they've let me sing in a group instead," she told The New Paper.
Lim has previously performed a piano duet of the song All I Ask of You from the musical The Phantom of the Opera with host Bryan Wong, at the ComChest Care & Share Charity Show in 2014.
She said: "I'm comfortable playing the piano, although I only have a month to rehearse the piece this time.
"Secretly though, I wish I was singing at least a few lines in the finale... I mean, who wouldn't want to sing with Chyi Yu and Tanya Chua?"
If Lim becomes the next Queen of Caldecott Hill, as Tay has predicted, what will she perform as a solo act?
She said: "I can play the piano or saxophone, but I'll never dance as it is really low on my list of talents.
"Maybe I can do competitive eating, too, because I won a certificate for finishing a big plate of fish and chips with my brother in a restaurant once," she joked.
Sezairi gets to sing solo
This year marks the first time Singapore Idol 3 winner Sezairi Sezali will sing solo during a President's Star Charity show.
The 28-year-old singer-songwriter will perform Fire To The Floor, the new single from his self-titled EP which was released in July.
He previously sang with fellow Singapore Idol contestants in 2009, and sang Teresa Teng's The Moon Represents My Heart in Mandarin in 2011 with Adelyn Koh who is visually impaired.
"I'm a bit nervous since I'm performing on my own this time; and it's one of my own songs, too," he told The New Paper.
"But I'm also grateful for the opportunity, as I have been working towards this (performing solo in President's Star Charity show) in my music career.
"Since I'm singing in English this time, it will be easier as I'm in my comfort zone."
It has been a busy year for Sezairi - besides releasing his EP, he also tied the knot in January with long-time girlfriend Syaza Qistina Tan, 25, and hosted their wedding reception in August.
They have been enjoying some much-needed downtime for the last few weeks.
"It's good to take a break and just spend lots of quality time with your partner. We have been hanging out with our cats and playing video games, and it has been really nice," he said.
Sezairi has six cats and was recently named an ambassador for the Cat Welfare Society.
"I've been helping them with their adoption drives, and educating cat owners on their responsibilities, like spaying their cats," he said.
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