5 from Singapore head to China for audition
Two contestants were last-minute additions to original trio for China Super Vocal audition
Five contestants from the China Super Vocal Singapore audition final flew to Shanghai, China, earlier today for their first closed-door audition tomorrow.
It is for popular Chinese reality TV singing competition of the same name, which was previously known as The Voice of China.
Contestants Zhang Zhi Ling, 25, and Curley Gao, 17, were told two days after the Singapore audition final, which was held at The Coliseum at Hard Rock Hotel on May 21, that they would be joining the top three finalists, Olinda Cho, Ng Chee Yang, and Elizabeth Low.
The trio were the only ones who could represent Singapore, but the show's directors decided to include two more contestants.
Zhang, a freelance piano teacher from Malaysia, told The New Paper over the phone: "I was very elated and excited when I got the call.
WELL-PREPARED
"I was worried about the short preparation time, but I am quite well-prepared because I have already selected a few songs. (Overall), I feel confident."
Beijing-born Gao, a student from Dunman High School, said: "I was in tears because I was so happy. It was quite shocking for me because I wasn't supposed to have the chance to go at all. I don't usually listen to Chinese songs, so I had to choose my songs properly."
- Tracy Low
Actors get medals from Pope Francis
US actors George Clooney and Richard Gere, as well as Mexican-American actress Salma Hayek, received medals from Pope Francis on Sunday at Vatican City.
The event was to promote the work of a foundation inspired by the pontiff, called Scholas Occurrentes.
Clooney, 55, attended the event with his human rights lawyer wife Amal, while Hayek, 49, arrived with her husband and daughter in tow.
"Important values can be transmitted by celebrities," one of the organisers, Lorena Bianchetti, told Reuters. She added that the trio had agreed to be ambassadors for one of the foundation's arts projects.
Lady Gaga goes on high-speed ride
US pop star Lady Gaga suited up and went for a spin with Italian-American former racing driver Mario Andretti in a custom two-seat pace car at the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.
The 30-year-old singer was at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 100th running of the Indy 500 as a special guest. She replaced Australian country singer Keith Urban after he injured his back and was unable to attend.
Andretti, 76, later took to Twitter to mark the occasion, writing: "I brought @ladygaga back safely to pit lane. Thanks @IRE2seater pit crew and @Honda for your support. Historic Indy!"
I have one line in that movie. It's a stretch to say I have a character at all. But to this day, 90 per cent of the fan mail I get is from Star Wars (fans) to sign pictures of me in a purple snood.
- Australian actress Rose Byrne on playing Dorme, handmaiden to Natalie Portman's Padme Amidala, in the 2002 film Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones
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