Clowns. Overcoming it. Facing it now. Better now than never. Ignorance is not bliss. Thanks to Stephen King and his “It”.
Two days after the previous TVC challenge at Palate Palette, the next one was at the Royal London Circus. I really meant, Royal London Circus. Think clowns, acrobats, animals, magic tricks, etc. You know the one that has been around for so many years, and when they visit Malaysia, it’s always for more than a month? This time they’re in town http://www.royallondoncircus.com/ and they’re at Bandar Botanic Klang from 11 October till 18 November 2007.
Group B Photoshoot Challenge
Date: 10 October 2007
Time: 12pm – 8pm
Venue: Bandar Botanic Klang
Challenges:
1. Catwalk with circus props – “Celebrity promoting the prop”
2. Photoshoot with elephant / pony / suspension wheel
In the first challenge, we were given several props (top hat, whip, cape, coat, turban, hula-hoop). When we went to the circus ring, took our number to select the prop, and I was given a white top hat. Nice arabian circus-like, magician music was played, and I instantly fell into the mood of entertaining. I remembered when I used to dance “Top Hat” for a broadway dance performance last time in “South Pacific” and other concerts. I applied those same moves like how I would have wanted other people to relate to the prop I held, afterall we were all supposed to be a celebrity promoting the prop. I stretched and posed like MJ at certain instances. I twirled and acted as if I was a magician, bringing out splendour (gold dust) from my magic hat. Then, I finally walked back to my position and continued to enjoy the nice circus atmosphere. I can now understand why people love to perform, why circus entertainers feel so good when they’re performing with bright lights shining. It just feels different, doesn’t feel like any other normal days. Having said that, I’m sure just like any other industries, there are many trials and tribulations of being circus performers.
We waited for a bit, and finally the judges Mi-ki and Daniel announced the results. Mi-ki said that I displayed the prop really well, but Daniel thought I was a bit too “posey”.
I would accept those remarks graciously, and was really glad to be one of the top two together with Alea who displayed her prop (the hula-hoop) really well!
Finally, Mi-ki announced that the rest of the contestants were to choose who they thought deserved to win that particular challenge. Finally, 6 contestants stood behind Alea and 5 others stood behind me. I was really relieved. I think that winning that would entail alot of pressure later on, with much or little expectations from people that might not justify my performance due to their subjective thoughts. I’m a competitive girl, but was glad to come in second place after that because it was well-justified. Alea did a fantastic job on that.
I was asked by the production interviewer who I thought did a bad job among ourselves during the challenge. I was very honest. I was also asked why I picked Joger for fourth place, among other people behind me (out of thirteen contestants). I was honest to the camera because this is reality TV. I can’t reveal all these here. 
You have to watch episodes 7 and 8. *grins*.
After that prop-parading session, Alea had the first opportunity to pick her outfit, and myself, the second person to pick. I picked a pink dress to suit the mood of the day, my make-up and hair. Joger thought the dress was “not quite me” but finally realised that “something that is not Kim is Kim.” So I gave the dress a try, anyway, no chance for any of us to change at all!
Finally, I had the chance to take pictures with Jumbo the elephant! It kept using its trunk to twirl around my hand and even wanted to eat my hand! My whole hand was wet with its icky and smelly wet stuff from its trunk but I had wanted to maintain natural in front of the camera without looking awkward so I didn’t move, squeal or anything. I took a risk by being so close to Jumbo, but I told myself to trust the animal. If I didn’t trust it, how was it to trust me? I hope my pictures turned out fine. I really can’t wait to see them. It was the chance of a lifetime. Professionally-taken pictures with such a huge animal!
Following this, we (group B) are to wait till 5 November 2007 to know who would enter into top 8. Please pray that I do. My confidence has improved alot throughout this competition – given the many opportunities to face the camera. It will continue to improve, thank you God for this wonderful opportunity.
Some pictures to soothe your soul. Group B at the Royal London Circus.
L-R: Frank, Alea, Kim, Joger, Darren.
Adrian, our Starceleb “daddy” telling us where to walk within the ”in-field” of the circus.
Alea and myself topping the challenge of the day. Way to go, Alea!
Rob standing up in the suspension wheel with Kel below him errr…between his legs. Darren looking cool on the right, and Kim looking flamboyant on the left.
Another picture of us, except with sexy Clav and sultry Alea on board.
And now, the picture you have been waiting for. 5 of us female contestants from group B. Alea, Clavinna, myself, Su Lin and Velva. Bear in mind only 4 of us to enter the next round, what about Group A’s female contestants? This will be a tough one, but I’m glad to be a part of this picture.
Spinning wheels – Robb helping Que maintain balance for his photoshoot. Nice of him.
That’s Miki sitting on the chair, picking her favourite images of contestants.
Great minds think alike, we picked almost similar dresses.
Joger with us.
L-R: Alea, I-Kim, Mi-ki, Velva and Su Lin. Missing from the picture is Clavinna.
After we left the centrestage, the circus performers started practising.
L-R (top): Mark, Velva, Kim, Su Lin, Joger
L-R (bottom): Jason, Que, Frank, Alea
Lucky dude – Mark with Velva, Sulin and myself.
In the van, on the way back to our parting point at Kelana Jaya LRT station.
Sigh, it was a exhilirating yet fun day indeed.
Watch out for more on this space. You know I like to entertain.
