Hady’s made it

More than 14 hours after emerging as the Singapore Idol, man of soul Hady Mirza tells us this morning in an exclusive half-hour interview that he still. Doesn’t. Quite. Believe. The. Good. News. So if you see him on the streets and wanna congratulate him, tap his shoulder really softly ‘cos he thinks he might still be living in a dream: “Is this real?”

Congratulations on clinching the grand title. How did you celebrate victory last night?
We (the Top 12 finalists) went to the post party and just mingled, ‘cos I can’t drink. Had a few interviews here and there. It was cool. There were actually moments where I was zoning out a little bit, like, ‘Is this real?’ It hasn’t sunk in yet. I don’t know what’s going on!

You did look rather taken aback when the results were revealed.
I am. When I did radio interviews with Perfect 10 and Class 95 and the deejays went, “So, Hady, you’re the Singapore Idol!”, I’m like, “Really?” I’ve dreamt about this. I pictured it happening to me so many times, and now it’s happened. It’s surreal.

You and Jonathan gave each other a big hug after the results. What did you say to each other?
He said, “I’m really proud of you, dude.” And I said, “I’m very proud of you too, dude.” We’re quite close.

You were fasting for the past few days. How did you manage to pull off your spectacular performances last Sunday?
I had to break my fast quick! The breaking fast time was 7.01pm. Within that hour (the performances started at 8pm), I had to get my hair and everything ready. Everyone was rushing us around, so you know, I had to prepare myself mentally. The first song I did was Freedom. I was really excited, got out there and did it. I enjoyed it.

Being a commercial artiste now, are you starting to feel the pressure?
Definitely. That was the initial plan for me when I joined Singapore Idol: to open more doors and do more stuff. I like to learn. I’ve learnt so much in the whole competition, and I think there’s a whole lot more to learn, like recording in the studio, working with established people like Ken Lim and so on. I’m really looking forward to that. I wanna learn more stuff.

Any idea what your work schedule looks like for your new life ahead?
Man, I have no idea.

A lot of people are wondering how you’ll differentiate yourself from first season winner Taufik Batisah. Are you afraid of comparisons to him?
There is already a difference. I don’t have to try. If I try, that means I think I’m the same as him, right? Taufik is Taufik in his own right. In terms of music influences, singing style and approach to songs, we’re different.

Did he say anything to you after the show?
He said, “Congratulations, I’m happy for you.” I thanked him for all his help and advice. We plan to meet up and hang out sometime. Right now, he’s busy, and I’m busy.

Thinking back to the first time we met you, you really seem so different in the way you speak and present yourself now.
I’m definitely more confident now. In terms of performing on stage, talking to people, I’m more assured. But, regardless of the change in how I am and what I am, I’m still the same. I don’t like to be so serious and stuff — I hate that. I’m just easygoing. Right now as I’m talking to you, it’s not even an interview. I just like to talk.

Now that you’re gonna be a solo artiste, will you miss having fronting your own band?
They have helped me a lot in experiencing so much. I owe a lot to them. They are the reason why I am here, apart from all the support I get from the fans, supporters and family. There are so many people I have to thank and don’t know how to thank. They mean a lot to me.

Likewise, your parents. We notice that whenever they’re interviewed, you really see them glower with pride. They don’t even have to speak much.
They’re not good with words exactly. When I’m at home, we don’t talk much about life. Not like, “Son, you must do this and do that”. I don’t like that. They understand. The rest of my family members who came last night — there’re so many of them. Probably, I’ll have a chance to hang out with them at the upcoming Hari Raya. I appreciate the love they give. It’s special. If they weren’t there, it would have been very different.

So many of your fans were rooting for you too. Very vocal, too.
Yeah, they’re amazing. They have all these cheers and they are so supportive, it’s great that people appreciate you. I hope to be an inspiration to them and inspire them to do great things on their own. It’s a bit cliché but if you have dreams, you do your best even if you think you’ll fail.

Just like how Ken has said that the Singapore Idol has to be inspirational.
Ken has all the right words at the right time. He’s a man that I respect. Did he say anything to me after the press conference last night? We didn’t have time, but he said he’d talk to me later. I’m really looking forward to working and learning for him, and not just him but the others, like Babes (Conde) and Iskandar (Ismail).

What kind of album will you make? Universal Music’s managing director Gary See said you were likely to do mainstream pop.
For now, I will leave it to them, work with them and let them produce my first album. (pause) Hit me, man. My first album. I didn’t think I would have a chance to say that. My first single. It’s on air! It’s weird.

Yes, it’s real. Does it really seem so unreal to you?
I think it (the good news) will only sink in when I start doing my work. Right now, I haven’t had my sleep yet since the results — about two hours or 1.5 hours — so it feels like I’m still there, you know.

Is it just us, or do you really have loads of dress-up stuff at home, like bunny ears and wigs? Or did you get these all from the wardrobe unit?
They’re mine. When I was working with my band, we did a lot of themes. There’d be a theme for rock ‘n’ roll, or retro, or Tom Jones, so it’s fun. I keep all the stuff. I even used to have a wardrobe with my previous workplace at The Devil’s Bar and someone to take care of what stuff we’d wear and all.

That aside, who among the other contestants did you have the most fun impersonating?
Jay. It’s the way he talks. He’d go, “I think, I think”. And it never comes across, I don’t know what the hell he’s talking about! I can do Paul, he would be like (Paul’s lalaland expression). When he’s tired, he’d drool. I’d go ‘Hey, wake up’ and he’d be, ‘Huhhhhhhh?’ Jon, I can’t do — his voice is too low. Joakim? (Does a left-to-right Joakim glance). Nurul would be like (perky voice) “I’m a happy goober!” She’d go (perky voice) “Hady!” and I’d be like “…What?”

Oh yes, you and Nurul. You guys were hilarious pulling off a faux lovers’ tiff in hiphop slang while shooting the Best of R&B trailer.
That was cool, man. I liked the Bimmer we had. Good car man, damn. I didn’t know how to reverse it. I like driving. Cars and — I used to ride bikes, but I fell a few times so there are many scars on my legs. Driving is very therapeutic, especially on the ECP with the top open.

For some reason, you come across to us as a biker guy.
I think it’s the Mat thing. Do you think all Malays are Mat? It’s essentially… quite true. I mean, deep down inside, everybody I’m sure (points to Chinese female music exec) you’re an Ah Lian. A Malay girl would be a Minah, and Malay guy a Mat. Chinese guy like Jon — Ah Beng. But we just choose not to be. (big grin)

Er, okay.
Sometimes you go out with your friends right, the Lian would come out. No? Don’t bluff. For me also, deep down inside, there’s always a Mat. Like, “Eh, apa, relak ah… Apa kau cakap ni? Apa kau tanya ni semua ni? Eh tak paham .. ah tak nak …” (Translation from Malay: “Eh what, relax ah. What are you saying? Why do you ask all these questions? I don’t understand. I don’t want to…”)

You and Jon are always touted as the cool guys of the competition. Who’s the cooler one?
Well, we’re the last two standing, what do you think? That’s… it’s clear, isn’t it? (laughs) It’s different, he’s the rocker dude. I’m the crooner, the balladeer. We’re cool in different ways. If it’s about being cool in a rocker way, then he might win. I’m more like a retro rocker, you know, 80s rock. I like rock, but not to the extent of having tattoos, long hair and stuff. Long hair doesn’t work for me. Tried it my whole life. Jon is cooler. He looks like a bad boy. Bad boys are always cool.

Which calls to mind one of the songs you did for the Judges’ Choice spectacular. Dick thought your performance of Kiss wasn’t sexy enough. So what — are you less of a bad boy and more like a good boy?
No, I’m just a normal guy. But you know, it’s hard to get sexy in front of TV. I had trouble with it. I mean, how do you do a Tom Jones number?

At any rate, thanks to Ken’s advice to you to fall in love, you’re probably gonna be snapped up soon by the local women’s magazines as one of Singapore’s hottest bachelors.
Well, I was in Cleo’s 50 Most Eligible Bachelors for 2004. (laughs) What kind of qualities do I look for in a woman? I’m not particular as long as she’s understanding. You have to give and take in a relationship. I had a few relationships before and when you don’t want to give and take, it’s different. I’m a simple guy. Simple is good enough.

Any final thoughts about your Idol journey now that things have gone so well?
I think about it a lot. All the things I went through, all the things I learnt, people I met… from Day 1, there was a lot to take in and I’m glad I managed to take it in day by day, opening up and accepting things I didn’t know before about myself. I’m getting to know myself better now. I know what I can do and what I’m capable of. I like to perform on stage. I love music. And I know that’s what I wanna do for a career.