Joy to the world as first Indonesian Idol
Joy to the world as first Indonesian Idol
Stevie Emilia
The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
After 34,358 hopefuls sang their hearts out in the pitch battle
to be the first Indonesian Idol, Joy Destiny Tiurma Tobing was
the last singer standing on Saturday night.
To thunderous applause before the full house of 7,000 at
Senayan sports stadium, Joy was announced to have won the
majority of the four million votes over rival Delon after a
weeklong voting frenzy by SMS and premium calls.
Looking elegant in a blue dress by Adjie Notonegoro, she
literally lived up to her name by crying for joy.
"Thank you all," was all the student of the Christian
University of Indonesia's School of English Literature in Jakarta
could say after the announcement.
Besides the millions watching at home, those in the audience
included House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung and many
celebrities. President Megawati Soekarnoputri, despite reports
she would attend, was a no-show.
Joy finished the show by singing Glenn Fredly's Karena Cinta
(Because of Love) through tears. Her parents, taxi driver-turned
record producer Jamarudut ML Tobing, and mother Roma Sibuea were
in the audience.
Joy, a seasoned performer who had won RCTI's Cipta Pesona
Bintang contest and the Grand Championship Laser Karaoke Pioneer
in Asia in Shanghai, China, and Japan, was the heavy favorite to
win after last week's final performances.
However, some had feared Stanislaus Alexander Liauw Dalon
Thamrin, better known to all his fans as Delon, would win by a
sympathy vote due to the often harsh criticism meted out to him
by the celebrity jury.
The latter, who gained heart-throb status, was gracious in
defeat, hugging and kissing the winner.
"Whatever happens, I am sure it's for the best," he said
before the announcement.
Delon is also expected to get a record deal and take part in a
tour of major cities in the country with the other finalists from
the show.
"Your career as a singer starts tomorrow, I hope you become a
professional singer," said musician Indra Lesmana, one of Joy's
strongest supporters among the four-member jury, told her.
As the winner of the show -- jointly produced by Freemantle
Media Productions Asia and RCTI -- Joy won a record deal, a
Toyota Vios and the right to represent Indonesia at the World
Idol later this year.
Private TV station RCTI began auditions for the show on April
9 this year, visiting five cities -- Bandung, Jakarta, Medan,
Surabaya and Yogyakarta. RCTI reportedly will start the second
Indonesian Idol in December this year.