Busy 2015 for Kit Chan after 4 quiet years

Busy 2015 for Kit Chan after 4 quiet years

For the past four years, fans of local singer Kit Chan had not seen or heard much of her.

But the 42-year-old is coming back in a big way this year.

Her career received a huge boost and she unexpectedly won countless hearts across Asia with her touching performances on the third season of popular Chinese reality singing series I Am A Singer, even though her stint as a contestant on the show ended after two episodes.

And the chanteuse announced at a press conference yesterday that she will be holding her solo concert Spellbound in June at The Star Theatre.

She also plans to take the concert to China.

Her last gig here, The Music Room, was in 2011.

Chan, whose stirring ballad Home remains one of the most popular National Day songs, also confirmed that she will be performing at this year's National Day Parade.

She said: "As it is SG50 this year, I have been approached to do a few other shows, but I had to turn down some as I am too busy."

ON JOINING I AM A SINGER 3:

Chan, the first-ever Singaporean to participate in the show which pits professional singers against one another, was the first contestant out of seven singers to be booted out earlier this year.

The results are based on the votes of the 500-strong audience in the studio.

The news shocked many, as viewers had praised her moving delivery of soothing ballads such as Shino Lin's Tempting Heart and Jacky Cheung's Heart Cut By A Knife.

However, Chan has been given a second chance at the title and will return to the competition in the revival round alongside eight other contestants. It airs on China's Hunan TV on Friday.

The episode was pre-recorded and Chan was not allowed to comment on it before it is aired.

Chan said: "I am overwhelmed by the positive reaction I've received after joining this competition. It's quite amazing.

"I am also pleasantly surprised by music fans. They understand that the show follows a format, and even if I am the first to be eliminated, it doesn't mean I am the lousiest."

Chan is also known for sticking to ballads for her song choices, something netizens felt put her at a disadvantage.

She explained: "The programming team and supporters wanted me to perform songs that will make me win. They asked me to choose more difficult songs because that's what the audience likes.

"However, if I choose those songs and new fans only know me for those songs, then I have to keep performing them for the rest of my career. I might lose in the competition, but it's better for me in the long run."

ON HER UPCOMING CONCERT:

Chan decided to stage a comeback this year as she feels "the time is right".

She had been toying with the idea since last September and has been preparing for it since. Her most recent performance was at a free gig alongside other local talents such as Olivia Ong at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park last Saturday, as part of NParks' SG50 Concert Series in the Park.

Even though she does not have any new songs or a new album at hand, Chan promised her fans that she will definitely sing her Mandarin, English and Cantonese hits, such as If There Are Seasons, Tempting Heart and Waiting.

"My concert will take on the minimalist style that I personally favour," she elaborated.

"If there are too many gimmicks, it becomes very distracting."

She laughed and added: "There are some songs that I know I have to perform, if not I cannot leave the venue alive."

Chan, who looked radiant and happy at the press conference, said she feels refreshed right now.

She said: "I was too hardworking back then, I held three concerts in that one year (2011). I was so, so tired. Now, I feel good and I am looking forward to being on stage."

ON NOT SUCCUMBING TO SOCIAL MEDIA:

Chan does not feel the need to have an Instagram account as she finds it mentally tiring to engage in social media activity.

She also does not read online comments about herself or her performances.

"These days, I see people feeling sad because of what others say about them online," she said.

"I feel that our value should not be determined by external factors like these."


This article was first published on March 18, 2015.
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