Olinda Cho risks losing face for national pride
It has been 12 years since Singapore Idol alumnus Olinda Cho competed in a reality singing competition.
But she's competing once more.
Cho has emerged as one of the top 12 semi-finalists from the Singapore audition leg of China Super Vocal 2016.
This series is a spin-off of the US reality TV singing competition The Voice. It was previously known as The Voice Of China.
On Saturday, contestants will battle it out at the finals for the three spots to represent Singapore in China.
Cho, who co-owns artist and model management agency Nu Management, told The New Paper yesterday at the unveiling of the top 12 contestants: "I joined this competition mostly because of national pride.
"A lot of people told me that it is a big risk because I might lose face if I don't get anything out of the competition, but my love for my country is more than that."
WEIGHT LOSS
Cho, who turns 36 next week, weighed about 70kg during her Idol days. She now weighs 57kg.
Her 10-year slimming endorsement with slimming centre BodyPerfect, previously known as Royal BodyPerfect, ended last year.
"Losing weight is easy, but maintaining the weight is difficult.
"I actually started doing muay thai to prepare for (China Super Vocal) and (my) cardio exercises help with the lungs, which helps with my singing," she said.
When asked whether she intends to pursue music seriously again, Cho, who released her debut album Rewind in 2007 under Hype Records, said with a laugh: "Maybe with (China Super Vocal), I might have plans for a second album."
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now