VJ Paula calls it like she sees it

Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

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STANDFIRST: Of Bruneian-British parentage, VJ Paula begs to differ when it comes to those who say her good looks have paved her way to success, including a recent appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. ==============================================================

Smaller and less established than MTV in Asia, Hong Kong-based Channel V has greater freedom to make its own choices as a music channel.

Sure, you still find boybands and candy-coated pop, but the content is decidedly more diverse, including a weekly look back at what was big 10 or 15 years ago.

Part of the reason is that it is aimed at an older market than the MTV generation, reflected in the 20 and 30-something VJs. They are still funky and hip, of course, but they are not the new kids on the block.

In the case of Paula Malai Ali, it comes across in a straightforward, blunt and occasionally self-deprecating take on life; she calls things as she sees them.

Now living in Kuala Lumpur, the 30 year old is also a model and actress. She was involved in a theater version of Educating Rita, singing and acting on stage for five years. Paula recently appeared on Oprah, in a section focused on the lifestyle of women around the world.

She sat down with The Jakarta Post during a recent visit to the capital.

Question: Being half Bruneian, does that raise a lot of questions from people?

Ali: Yes. Everybody reads a lot of stories about this very little country that is very rich, and they want to know other stories about the country.

It is a strict Muslim nation, unlike Malaysia, which is a lot more relaxed. But Brunei's got a lot of special things about it. It's got the most amazing, like, ecologically, it's beautiful. The jungle is still untouched. The sky is so big, that's what I really notice when I go back home.

Why did you choose to live in Kuala Lumpur?

It was one of those places that when I arrived there -- I was 21 -- I really felt comfortable straight away. I felt my luck was in this country. I felt very positive that it was gonna work for me.

I've lived in Singapore, I've lived in England, I didn't have that much chemistry with those countries.

How do you like being a VJ?

I've been a VJ for two years. I love it. A lot of people think it's an easy job. Well, it's not the hardest job in the world, but it does take a certain kind of talent to read a script while it doesn't look like you're reading it. So, you gotta work your whole body and you gotta do it fast. You must be focused.

If you weren't Eurasian, do you think you'd have got a job on TV?

I think if you're a good host and you got the right look, definitely. Not all the VJs of Channel V in the past have been Eurasian. We have Thai, Singaporean and Filipino VJs. I don't think I was chosen because I'm mixed, but because I gave a good audition.

How was it being on Oprah?

It was very exciting. I didn't meet her -- I don't want to pretend that I went to the studio and met her. It was taped and we sent the tape over.

It was very rewarding, not just for me but for the people whom I work with every week. We were proud to do this and make them see how we work. Because maybe in America and Europe, they don't know Asia is a capable area, so very full of talent and rich.

The Malaysian media didn't seem to be amused. They said you don't represent Malaysian women in general.

The Malaysian papers, I think they kind of misunderstood the whole theme. I'm not a Malaysian -- why would I be representing it? I'm basically allowing the American viewers and the globe to see that I'm a woman who's living in Malaysia and this is my lifestyle.

The producer at Oprah studio knew very well that I was from Brunei. So, originally I talked about Brunei and this lady said to me, "Are you living in Brunei now?"

I said I'm in Malaysia. She went, "Oh, why don't we talk about Kuala Lumpur then, that's more relevant". I said OK, fine. So, nobody pretended, or anything like that.

What do you think about the Asian music scene?

It's getting very good. And the Indonesian scene is very exciting. In Malaysia and Brunei, there's a lot of respect for Indonesian talent. Their music is really original.

It's also the fact that your music videos are just a certain level above other Asian countries. There's a certain polished, refined feel to them.

What about the scene in Brunei?

The Brunei music industry is so small, it's a lot bitchier than any industry I know. I know because my sister is a songwriter. There's a lot of backstabbing within the small arts company. Malaysia, we don't have this kind of bitchy, petty stuff. The pie is very small in Brunei.

Is it really important for Asian musicians to go international, to penetrate America and Europe? Or should they just strengthen the Asian market?

I don't think there's something wrong with looking to be very big, with setting a very high standard.

The only problem is if you don't achieve recognition in the U.S. or Europe, you feel like you failed. That we can change. Just because you're not hitting the market in Europe or America doesn't mean you're not good.

Those two markets are completely different, anyway. Even Robbie Williams isn't penetrating America. Kylie Minogue has just made it there and, even so, she's not a superstar. So, it's all relative, isn't it?

How is the competition with MTV?

The thing is that our channel is aimed at a slightly older market, unlike MTV. Our VJs are grown-up persons.

We can't compete with the big animal. I mean, MTV is known throughout the world, the brand has been there for a very long time. Compared to them, we're still a baby channel.

We don't want to upset ourselves with who's bigger. But I think we take a lot of care.

We just want to work a little bit harder. We make such a point to have these diverse shows. There's a rock show, R&B show, Billboard show, Rewind show from yesteryear. And our viewers are very loyal, and it's cool.

But, say there's an offer to be a VJ at MTV Europe or MTV U.S., would you take it?

I've never seen MTV Europe anyway, and MTV U.S. is all about reality TV shows. Stuff happens, people move on, but today I would have to say no. I like the philosophy of this channel, I believe in this channel.