HELLO LOVELY PEOPLE! <3

FIND ME HERE www.lets-take-it-backstage.tumblr.com!

xoxo

I'M MOVING!

To Tumblr Land. Hehe. Will keep yall posted.. have a great weekend!

Listen.

Take the time to tell people how much you love them while they can hear you.

Fathin.

Okay remember the elimination-Farhan-cried story I told you guys? You see, he's not the only one. That night.. as I was packing my stuff and about to leave the studio, I didn't realize that Amira was standing at a corner all along.. just not knowing what else to say to me. So when I noticed that she was there, she came over and said Jannah, I'm going to do this for you. And then we both cried for a good 2 mins. Waaaaaaaaa.

I like how humble and amazingly down to earth Mira is. She's just your typical girl next door, but with a big voice and an even bigger heart. You know that she has got what it takes to win, but you don't get intimidated by her. Mira's pretty chill. How to be in good terms with fellow finalists of Singapore Idol or any other competition you're in? Don't sing or show off and you'll be fine. Haha! Just don't sing unnecessarily.

Back to Mira.. can you believe it, she even hid the fact that Zubir Abdullah is her dad from everyone! Isn't that crazy! When I found out (Berita Harian), I called her up and she apologized.. it's just that she don't want to be known for that, or think that the reason why she came this far is because of her dad. No wonder lah! so many times when I look at her, I'll be like.. daaamn, she look so familiar!!! Met the family @ Farhan's open house and oh my god, they're such awesome people.

Now it's down to 3 girls and 4 guys. Anybody's game, really.. but I've got a feeling Faizal's gonna win.

So what if it hurts me

so what if i break down

so what if this world just throws me off the edge

my feet run out of ground

I gotta find my place

I wanna hear my sound

dont care about all the pain in front of me

cause im just tryna be.. happy.

dos.

Had a little time on my hands today. I wrote two songs in Malay. I think the lyrics boleh diperbaiki lagi.. will work on that later tonight. How are you on this lovely Monday afternoon? (:

2 cents.

Okay.. so Nurúl's out. I really want a female(preferably Malay?) Idol this season. Semakin tipis chance eh nampaknya. Farhan and family came over last Thursday.. gerek. It's been a while. Sang The Climb for graduating students of 2009 @ Greenview.. feels good to be home, back to where it all started. Gonna try to upload them vids ASAP.


AND OMG.. MAJOR NEWS! Will be performing When I Grow Up with my own dolls(he-dolls included) for a show on Nov 6. I'm stoked about that!! it's a friggin dream come true! THANK YOU ALLAH!

What you see, is not always what you get.

Hello everyone! I know it's been a while since I last post an entry but that's only because I have quite a lot going on recently.. but let's now NOT focus on that. I really hope you're in the best of health because my throat is going all crazy on me these past few days. Must be all that heaty but oh so irresistable Raya dishes.. Which reminds me, I need to cut down on my rice intake. OKAY MOVING ON MOVING ON..

My friends have been asking me to share my real thoughts on Idol (because I'm an insider, so to speak) but you know what, that's like asking me to put a gun on my head and then shoot myself. I might get sued lah if I do! LOL. No joke. I'm also not allowed to release my demo or anything serious like that, I gotta wait til next March. It's not like I'm planning to release it next week but I'd like to have the option!! LOL.



Okay speaking of Idol.. can't belieeeeeeeeeeeve Farhan is out! *insert muka sedih gilerr here*
I feel for him. He's been like a brother to me and it sucks 'cos I feel that he deserve to be treated better. He deserve to be.. okay how do I put it nicely.. potrayed in a much positive light cos trust me this dude has got mad potential and he's soo genuine. So sweethearted, and fragile at the same time.

I still remember.. When I was eliminated that day, he cried.. like, literally sobbed. Which makes me cry even harder. It was a very difficult moment for all of us, especially the first group of 12. Before the episode ended Ken said that either me or Nurul deserve that spot more than he does but what can we do, really? Singapore has voted. And if he really feels that I'm more deserving.. why didn't he save me then? Or.. since it's Singapore Idol, why not just pick the top 6 votes? I'm just looking at this situation from an Idol viewer's point of view. Looking at it from a finalist's point of view is just.. too painful.

Sorry lah, some voices just cannot be suppressed. (:

ew.

Piece of Me.

It's still hard for me to grasp the fact that Syltra's been eliminated. The notion of the show is hugely dependant on public voting, so basically as contestants, we can only try our best and put our heart into each of our performances.. at the end of the night, it's your call. So what do you guys think happened on Wednesday?? Not enough votes. Simple.

Now on to the next question.. why? In my opinion(not like it matter much anyway), the public were complacent. Oh, I guess many others will vote. You see, you can't take the risk. You can't afford to. Like what happened to some of the Top 24 finalists.. oh, I'm sure the judges will save him/her on lah! Idol don't work that way. Exhibit A! *points at self* hahahahahaha!!!


But aiyah, there's more to life than this.

I hate this part right here..

I'm missing my fellow Idols. I miss having key check session + vocal training with Ann and Indra, choreography lessons with Zaki and most importantly, I miss the hair and make up people.




I miss hady.

And the beat goes on..

Did a review on how the record industry's tanking.. you know, due to widespread piracy and consumer's preference for low profit digital singles over albums(i.e iTunes).. and it got me thinking. If music lovers are not willing to purchase albums nowadays, why not bring the music to them? Meaning, more live shows, thus creating more cross media opportunities. It's already happening.

Here's my plan.. record a demo with the songs I've written so far, do more covers, have a showcase at maybe the outdoor theatre @ esplanade? The plan is to have female musicians throughout the entire project. Yep, there's gonna be a whole lot of estrogen on the set! Haha. It's really easier said than done so, I'm gonna bust my ass to make this happen. It's about time to make shit happen for myself. Sick and tired of trying to fit into somebody else's template.. If you believe in the power of prayer, pray for me. Think peace, everyone! :)





Vision looks inward and becomes duty. Vision looks outward and becomes inspiration. Vision looks upward and becomes faith.

I've Already Won.

Hello everyone! Yes, not to worry I'm still alive. Since the elimination, life's been good. I mean, life goes on lah kan.. I've came a long way and there's no other better way to leave. I feel like I've got soo much more to give, but at the end of the day, the decision isn't mine. Do I feel like I deserve that spot? Hell yeah I do. But as I said earlier, the decision isn't mine. I'm not gonna lie, I feel extremely hurt that the judges didn't think I'm worth saving. But I guess this industry isn't for the oversensitive.. nothing personal, it's just showbiz. I know I'm legally binded to shut my trap but I can't help what I feel. Some voices just cannot be suppressed.

I got over the whole elimination thing over 2 hours of Simpang with family and friends. We had a mini celebration and it was so much fun. As usual, Simpang heals all wounds. Thank you Sharezan, Mizie, Munirah, Maressah, Nadiah, Nad for being my rock throughout this entire Idol journey.. yall are my rock, the very reason why I sing. *sob. So back to what I was saying.. I stuffed myself with my favourite Fish N Chips @ Spicez, bawled, laughed it off and decided to let it go there and then.. Now I gotta think of my next step.. like, what now? What's next? Kita merancang, Tuhan sajalah yang tentukan.


Okay so I've got an exam this Saturday, gotta keep mugging as for now. Yall take care! <3

Singapore Idol.

Dial 1900 112 1204 or SMS 4 to 43657! Voting line opens from 8 to 10pm on 2nd September! ♥



only you can make it happen. (:

Recap.

Hello, everyone! I know it's been a while.. life's been good so far, Alhamdulillah. Did you guys manage to catch the first few episodes of SI? I thought it was okay.. HIGHlarious, but I wasn't jumping off my seat or anything like that. Maybe except for Tarmizie and Frances's audition. I am nervous about the whole being-on-tv thing. Since day one, my main intention is to just get up on stage, do my thing, and hope to impress and inspire the heck outta Singapore. But the reality of the situation is, this is a reality TV show.. Editing is everything, everything is sensationalized.

The trailer for Episode 3 is out.. yall soo have to catch this one (also because I'm innit hehe). It's in 2 days and it's jam packed with drama. Get those Kleenex ready! The antibiotics were taking its toll on my sanity at that point of time. The whole entire camp was intense for all of us. Physically, emotionally and vocally too, of course. I promise to blog as much as I can! Til then, take care lovely people!





"That thing over there.."

One step closer.

pause at 1:45. :')

Recap.

Hello, everyone! I know it's been a while.. life's been good so far, Alhamdulillah. Did you guys manage to catch the first few episodes of SI? I thought it was okay.. HIGHlarious, but I wasn't jumping off my seat or anything like that. I am nervous about the whole being-on-tv thing. I secretly hope I don't get too much airtime. I just wanna get up on stage, do my thing, and hope to impress the heck outta Singapore. But the reality of the situation is, this is a reality TV show. The trailer for Episode 3 is out.. yall soo have to catch this one. It's in 2 days and it's jam packed with drama. The antibiotics were taking its toll on my sanity at that point.. The whole entire camp was intense. Sigh. I promise to blog as much as I can! Til then, take care!

Guess Who?

hey!

Omg so many things happening all at once... what with that thing, school and all! Hehe. So far, so good.. I hope everyone's doing alright. Watch this space for a bit..

Go Figure.

I've got some very exciting news to share. However, I'm not allowed to as it is embargoed for Aug. Thank you for all the amazing support you have given me. To each and every person reading this humble blog.. thank you. Get ready your pink shirts and 60 cents! Hehe.




*hint hint hint

Zing!

One last entry before I go.. Just now was the first time all the top 100 gather for songwriting workshop. damn awesome. So fortunate to make it this far.. time to keep pushing. Whatever it is, I'd like to leave on a high note, with my dignity in tact... Insyallah! Haha.


Bless all. Think peace!
XOXO

More Heaven than a heart could take..

I'm currently digging I'm a Celebrity.. get me out of here!. What is there not to like about the show? It's every TV producer's dream! Yall soooo have to catch it sometime. Speaking of which, I had the weirdest dream last night.. but it's good kinda weird, you know? Damn I could use some cheesecake right now! Okay sorry ter-side track.

I think some shows should be aired only once on TV. Not because it's bad (although sometimes that's usually the case LOL), but it's because they're too damn sad lah. The word sad itself is an understatement, really. Take MJ's memorial for instance. I swear to God.. I was crying for that entire 2/+ hours. I was up all night! Technically, it's in the morning but okay.. you get my point. I cried myself to sleep! Woke up, and cried again. I remembered having to sing during a friend's funeral, with her lying in the casket with her choir gown on infront of me.. NOT. EASY. PEOPLE.

It breaks my heart whenever I come across one of MJ's vid on Youtube.. or switch on the radio and his song's on. I feel like a part of my childhood is being ripped off.. because my dad used to have those VCR tapes thingmajig of MJ, GunsNRoses, Sting, and Steve Vai live in concert. He'd play them, usually on Saturdays, and I'd sit on my Little Tikes table and draw while I watch them tapes.

I don't know any musician or entertainer who is not inspired by him. He wasn't just the King of pop, he's the King of ALL music. MJ has left such a wonderful, timeless legacy behind.. and he's more alive than he's ever been.

On a much much lighter note.. it's like what, 2 more days to camp? I've finally finished packing. As much as I'm stoked about the following week, I really wish Mun and Sharezan will be there.. This one's for us all, kay?


XOXO

P/S: What's your favourite MJ song? It's ridiculous to name just one, I knoww.. but here's mine. Goosebumps all the time. Le Sigh.

When I crack that whip..

Journalism Paper tomorrow. Padhman's exam tips are considerably helpful.. NOT. Feel bad having to blow off the Lovelies at the very last minute but I know they'd understand. So much has been going on lately and I just can't wait to get July over and done with, you know? But then again, maybe I can wait. Super stoked about the songwriting workshop with the other Idol hopefuls this Saturday. I've always wanted to attend such courses but they're either too expensive or almost never heard of.

This weekend is gonna be hella exciting.. ooh, next week too. The drama, all that waiting, the pressure to perform well, the bitches and the bitching, trying to memorize lyrics, wanting to look your best 24/7.. Whatever happens, happens man.

We're actually not allowed to have our phones or laptop with us throughout the entire week. OMG NO TWITTER, NO FACEBOOK.. Isn't that crazy?! It's just like Temptation Island.. only without the ridiculously hot straight guys. MY POINT IS.. is this all gonna be worth it in the end? Time will tell.. time will tell.



Now let's put on a show.

Dress To Kill?

Almost done packing for the Theatre Auditions/Boot Camp thingymajig this Sunday. It's a 7 days affair if we make to the very end(Top 24). Not too sure if I've under or over pack at this point but.. screw that! I'M BRINGING 8 PAIR OF SHOES!!! lmao

what ends with -GAMO? *winks

Blonde Moment!

Click to enlarge picture. Sooo friggin HIGHlarious lah our convo, Mun! Hahaha.
XOXO

"Reality" Tv

I've been through wayyy too much shit to be insecured or intimidated by anyone. I've got fucken huge balls, but I've also been humbled. So.. what competition, really?

i-doll

Hey lovelies! Okay, I'm usually not this shameless lah kan.. but I'd appreciate it if yall click on the link below and vote for me? 'Best Fashion' Idol contestant.. haha. Plus you'd stand a chance to win a $100 Aldo voucher too! Thank you!

P/S: They have heard and seen nothing yet! ;)

P/S/S: OMG the other Lovelies are in the vid as well!

http://idol.mediacorptv.sg/onlinecontest.htm

Tick Tock.

What's good? Okay I need to mug like crazy for the next week or so.. hope life's doing you good. As for me, I shall refrain from having too much durians! Haha. Very pleased with the marks I got for my essays.. Alhamdullilah. Theatre auditions in... 13 days!!!! Wooot

You don't know how long I have wanted
to touch your lips and hold you tight..
You don't know how long I have waited
and I was going to tell you tonight..
But the secret is still my own
and my love for you is still unknown..
Alone.

Not ready to make nice.

I'm devastated. Theatre auditions wouldn't be exactly what I envisioned it to be. This sucks. In addition to all that sucktion, the King Of Pop is gone. Sad.




Need to shop for emotions.

Barenaked.

I choked back my tears while singing to a friend and I could barely get to the chorus. I think we all can relate to this.. When words fail, music speaks right?

It's just so sad.. not because it's over a song by Miley Cyrus(!!!), but the fact that I had this dream for as long as I could remember. A dream that only a young child who uses her remote control as a microphone would understand. There is a little desperation in this hopeful heart, but only with amplified elegance. In my head, I have all these ideas. When I first learned how to berjinak-jinak with the guitar, my love for singing and songwriting all came together as a whole. Baby steps, I guess.. baby steps. Reaching for something in a distance, so close I could almost taste it.. But I also know that either way, ousted or in, you can't put a price on real talent. And that's a fact.


Tell yourself that no one can buy your drive.. no one.

Keep moving
Keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby..

For us.

This time round, I asked them for constructive criticism because really, I want to get better.. I want to be better. So I asked Ken for it.

I have 2 exam papers during the theatre auditions + camp.. thank god I've started revision last month. It's gonnabe a challenge, but I've been through worse. Don't let education get in the way of your learning. I soo did not wait three years to not make it again!

Either way, I'll live.

Let's go.

Today was rather interesting. It's Father's Day.. and even though my dad is not as expressive(not even close) as I am, he has taught me the importance of letting my actions speak for itself instead of just yak yak yaaaking away. You know what I mean, right? Haha.

Sometimes I feel my dad is the only one who gets me.. he was a musician. He's actually qualified to teach music. Sometimes I feel that because he knows so much, he doesn't want me to be a part of the industry. Perhaps it's his way of protecting me from 'disappointments' and what-not. Double standards is also a possibility. However, I never doubted the fact that he's been a fan since day one. So you can understand eh why that Awan Yang Terpilu vid makes me cry like crazy.

Hope I can do him proud tomorrow..

Speaking of which, my idea of a silent protest is not by not talking. I'll be using the same dress I was eliminated in during Anugerah for my Idol auditions. Enough said.


Audition in about 12 hours. I'll be tweeting! (:


http://twitter.com/_nuruljannah

What happens in my head..

Some of my feelings keep escaping
So I make it a joke
Nonchalant I keep on faking..
So my heart don't get broke
I'm in a big, big, big, big ocean..
In a tiny little boat
I'll only put the idea out there
If I know it's gonna float.

This brings the lols!

Killing time while waiting for the family to siap! Haha. Usually it's the other way round.

Hush Hush

i cannot suppress it any longer... oh dear god.

Le Sigh!

Last night at about 3AM in the friggin' morning, Cristie called. I'm a light sleeper so I pretty much had no other choice but to pick up the call lah. She asked me to log into my facebook account (at this point I was about to hang up on her) but she swore upon her parents that I'll love this "surprise". Cristie and some others actually made a fan page for me on Facebook! Like, OH MY GAAAAAAAAAAAWD.. whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!

This is by far the most sweetest thing a friend has ever done for me. To say that I was touched by this is an understatement!! I cried my eyes out for a good whole hour! I mean, I'm practically a nobody what.. So blessed to have such an incredible support system. ;' )

If you wanna check my page out, just go search for 'Jannah' under the Pages thingymajig. Or just click on the 2nd FB badge under 'The Lipstick Chronicles'.. it's on your far left.


So.... what should I do now? Be a fan of myself? weird!!!

Now What?

Singapore Idol called to confirm the timing for my next audition. 22nd June, 10:30 Am. Unfortch for us, we're only allowed to bring only 5 supporters. This is the least of my worries.. I have class at 3pm that day!

I have received the approval letter from Lim Kok Wing Uni this morning. Don't know what to make out of this.... yet. In all honestly, I like the idea of studying in KL. Heck, I love it there sampai tanak balik tau kadang2. To think about how close Abah was to buying a house at bukit antarabangsa years ago still drives me crazy. Adakah patut.. he settled on JB instead. Practical? Yes.. but what good does it do to me? Hehehe ;P

Dejavu.

The next round of auditions will be held @ Marina Bay Floating Platform in 2 weeks. I feel that the judges in our room were tougher to please so based on that alone, I'm pretty grateful. We were all intimidated at first but.. intimidation is my motivation, baby. Hehe. Ann Hussein was judging the other room.. auntie Ann, I mean! HAHAHAHAHAHA don't laugh eh! Family wedding next month.. dreading it after all that Anugerah thingymajig. I was interviewed by Hady(how weird is that) and he made me sing... SABO!!


But then again, tak seteruk performing in front of.. you know. that one is BIZARRE!


Butterflies-in-my-tummy-I-swear-my-heart-could-fly kinda bizarre lah! Hehehehe.
I've sang for the first lady before but the Anugerah auditions is like.. a recurring brainfart waiting to happen whenever I step on that stage!! Hahaha.. kekek.
Only God knows why.
;)

take it.

I can't possibly please everybody. It is what it is.




OMG four datelines to meet before friday. Later!

fyi.

I get chills down my spine whenever anyone address me as 'Nurul'. For two very simple reasons.. the people who call me by that name is my secondary school MATHS teacher and my dad's side of the family. Hahaha go figure!


XXXX






They make me nervous for no apparent reason at all.

You can quote me on this.

"The truth is, you can't possibly drop a person in a box full of sparkles and go OOH YOU'RE NOW A STAR! Some girls were born with glitter in their veins.. and they've been shining ever since. "

familiar face.

I feel for Afiqah. She deserves the spot. I guess this is why sometimes it's better to view the glass as half empty. So that, when the when the whole thing tumpah, we won't be as devastated in the end. Make sense, kan?

OH BOY AM I GLAD TO BE OUT OF THE SHOW OR WHAAAT! Hehehe. I wouldn't have done it any other way. Go and watch Jus again on Youtube.. Everything is written all over my face. My aunt thought I shouldn't have been so nonchalant about it.. Oh heck. I don't see it as an elimination, BOO HOO kinda thing.. cos we are the ones who got away! Haha. Leave it up to me to make the best out of everything.

Anyways, here's what I've learnt so far and I think this applies to all aspects of my life.


1. Set my own goals and standard, stand by my principles

2. Trying to fit into someone's template/format/mould is completely UNNECESSARY!

3. Keep working on craft - get better, get stronger




But if all else fails, I know that this is not the only thing I'm good at! haha. I can be such a badass sometimes... correction, sexy badass. ;)

Come what May.

Results out tomorrow.. and I still couldn't care less. OMG what is wrong right with me? I'm more egggcited about meeting up with the other finalists though.. We have loooads to yak about! Haha. It is soo fun to be around the people who share the same passions in life as you. Yay, us!

blah

Feeling extremely hormonal today.

zinggg!

I've created a Tumblr account (although I don't know what the hell for) and yes, Youtube too!




"Huh?? Apa tu Facebook?" - Sara Aqilah, this chick I met during Anugerah auditions

Now What?

I've been asked about next Monday, whether I'm anxious about the results.. and I know this might sound a little odd, but I'm feeling close to.. nothing. It's like I'm unaffected by it or something. I entered the competition not expecting much from it... and maybe that's the problem. Or perhaps that's a good thing? HAHAHAH!!







3 essays due this month... Retail therapy this weekend, WOOOT!

Besotted.

Exactly that.

Bang-able.

The last time I had bangs I was eight!

Everyone will notice, no one will know.

We all have one of those days when we feel lousy about ourselves, thinking that we're not good enough for someone or something. Today has been purrty overwhelming.. I sure felt the love! I am grateful to have the most incredible support system in the world.. They make me feel invincible when I'm invisible.





Bless their hearts.. I thank god for them.

Heal.

Healing..


Healing....


Healing...........






HEALED.

The trick is to keep on breathing.

A couple of people have let me down big time today. Almost got into a bitch fit after class but thank gaawd I remembered to breathe. Shit happens, I guess.. Gotta take the high road and let it slide this time. See, I am nice kan?









Payback's a bitch, though. Haha!

Call me crazy...

When I was up there on stage I remembered thinking, WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING HERE?! I mean, just a few days ago I had my friggin' wisdom tooth extracted yanked out from my mouth like nobody's business, and here I am.. standing in the middle of East Point Mall auditioning for Anugerah... again?



WHAT. THE. HELL AM I DOING HERE?!



I keep telling myself this is not a good idea because -

A. The judges might think I'm stoned(LOL) cos I'm slurring my words
B. Malay singing competition.. Who are you kidding, Jannah?
C. *please refer to the point above




But then again, it takes a lot of courage to be this crazy right? Plus, I figured I've got nothing to lose.. I get to spend time with the people that I've been missing for months now. I still remember the last thing my late cousin asked me on FB, "Kak.. you joining which one? Idol or Anugerah?". Sedih, kan. Somehow, the auditions are oddly nerve-wrecking this year. My palms sweat a little more than they should, I'm distracted, I can't stop smiling and I blush like crazy...

it has got to be the painkillers, man! haha.




Round #2 * here we go again.

It's About Time.

"It's the passion that drives you.. never the fame."


-Astri Nur Rissa, Best Friend since 2000