Thanh
Thursday, 9 October 2008 11:10

Week Five

Looking outside – gum trees, sun; I’m feeling on top of the world at the moment.

Last Sunday night rocked my world, it was unreal. I want to say thank you so much to all my fans who have really brought me through all of the harder times and stayed rock solid – it means the world to me. And now for the first time, I’ve been able to repay all of the support by giving them what they deserve to hear.

My journey now is to do that week in, week out, now, and after the Idol journey has finished, to make them feel. You realize sometimes you can’t take anything for granted.

It was hard seeing Madam go home. We get along really, really well, and I think she’s left the competition with so much grace. There hasn’t been any sour grapes, not a bad word to say about anyone. She’s a winner on all fronts, as a person, plus she’s got one of the best R’n’B vocals I’ve heard in Australia.

It’s an exciting week this week as I’m heading home to Melbourne for an appearance at the Knox Shopping Centre! It’s been two months today since I’ve been there. Can’t believe I’m still here, but I really feel I’ve just begun my Idol journey, and I’ve found a centre amidst chaos. Can’t wait to see all my friends and family. It’s gonna be so exciting to go back to my hometown.

The vibe in the house has changed a lot – the whole journey is not how good you are, or how talented you are, it’s about how mentally strong you are. That’s why all the support from fans, like the messages online, the phone calls, it’s so much help to keep balanced, and keep going forward, getting better every week.

I’d love to give a big thanks for Marcia. She’s been so helpful and her advice has just been awesome – do less, be more. She rocks, doesn’t she? I think anything in life is possible, if you’re passionate about it.

I would love to see everyone just reach out, let loose and get rid of their fear and do whatever it is they want to do.

Thanh

Thanh
Friday, 3 October 2008 10:10

Week Four

Hi guys,

Final Nine! Crazy! Wow. Time to step it up.

Last Sunday was my best performance thus far. It was just me, getting back to my roots, just singing. And I wasn’t in the Bottom Three! It’s a simple formula. I felt really comfortable for the first time. There was no pressure, so I could really let loose. It was a great outcome, and I got good judges’ comments. Darren was amazing and he really helped me through last week. No more identity crisis!

Idol is such a rollercoaster and now that I’ve gone past the difficulties of it, I see this as an amazing opportunity to really showcase me, and open myself up to Australia. I’m really happy with where I am right now, and it’s only up from here.

It was tough to see Madam, Tom and Teale in the Bottom Three on Monday night. It’s so unpredictable. It was sad to see Tom go and I’m really proud that he pulled out his best performance in the competition and end on a massive high. He’s only 16, and already so far ahead of most.

Really excited about Abba. I’m singing a big ballad which has a lot of meaning. It’s a sad song, and I really want to make everyone at home feel the sadness of the song.

A massive howdy to everyone who has voted - you guys totally rock rock rock.

Stay tuned for Sunday night!

Keep the flow and love,

Thanh.

Thanh Bui
Friday, 26 September 2008 15:40

Week Three

Another week. Bottom three this week, and you know what? It was the best thing that could have happened. It’s just really loosened me up, and the message screamed out – ‘Thanh, get back to your roots, get back you’. Don’t listen to so many opinions that it just confuses you. I’ve had people coming up to me in the streets saying, ‘We loved your vocals in earlier rounds - just sing like that. Don’t worry about the boy band stuff, just get back to your roots and sing’. I just thought, ‘Wow, I know that’. In this environment where everything’s so heightened, you can lose sight of your identity. You’ve gotta be true to yourself. I’ve deviated from that path and I’ve suffered for it. So it’s back to my roots this week.

Thanks for everyone who voted – I heard that some people were voting four different times at the same time! I want to repay all the faith that everyone put in me, and have fun. After getting into the Bottom Three, I’ve found the joy, and want to just have fun, let people see me smile, get emotional, let it all out. That’s how people connect with you.

Got a chance to meet with Darren Hayes this week –he’s amazing, and so supportive. He understands where I come from - he was bagged for polish and veneer, and for being fake. He really understands me, which made me feel good inside. He said be true to you. And if that means to sing beautiful, big ballads – who cares? He was really inspiring, and I really believe that everything happens for a reason and everything is about timing. Him coming this week was perfect timing. Even the theme of the week and the song choices are perfect.

I’ve had so much fun in the last three or fours days as we head deeper into more weeks.

Much love and respect,

Thanh

Thanh Bui
Friday, 19 September 2008 14:16

Week Two

Hey everyone!

How’s it hanging? It's been a tough week this week, a massive rollercoaster ride.

I had a lot of fun performing on that stage for Final 12. I was really happy with the arrangement I'd worked on with Erana and John, but it didn’t go down so well – I got absolutely smashed by the judges – I copped a hiding! It was their opinion, and I respect that. In hindsight, I definitely take on their comment to not overcomplicate things.

I've learnt that you just have to remain true to yourself and what makes you happy. I think I’ve been trying to please everyone my whole life. People have very high expectations of me, and sometimes I don’t please myself.

Monday night is really tough – to be told you’re in the Bottom 3 and then get up there and sing! The guys did a remarkable job. I pray to the universe it won’t happen to me, but if it happens, it’ll strengthen you. I felt a lot of relief when I was safe, but I also felt really humbled by the support - obviously there is support out there for me. So it’s been a really tough couple of days, being slammed in front of country but I’ve come out stronger. This week I’m going to take on their comments and move forward.

The funniest thing about all this is seeing all the fans scream – it’s like, what for? Ha ha. It’s weird walking down the street in your own country and people going, "I know you". Being famous happened for me in Asia, but I don’t really understand it – I sing a few songs, I’m not saving lives or the Prime Minister of Australia. It’s very humbling, and I’m embracing it and enjoying the experience. To know you’re actually affecting someone – that you’re inspiring someone, it gives me motivation to keep going no matter how much I get kicked, spat on, slammed, I’m just gonna keep moving forward.

The McDonalds Charity Ball was fantastic, what a great cause. It’s such an honour to perform with the Final 12; I respect them not just as singers and musicians but as people. We got dressed up and dolled up, and everyone was looking very hot! It was an unbelievable night – a beautiful night.

It was inspiring to see Jordin Sparks, especially as she did it all at 17! My god, I could not have done that at 17. She really was in the moment – she was so inspiring.

My '80s song is an all time classic. I first heard it years ago – it’s such a beautiful melody. It's a big song and I can sing my heart out – stand and deliver, while keeping it simple. If I said 'siren' – maybe you can guess…

To everyone who’s voted for me, thank you. I love you so much – everyone on Facebook, Myspace, the communities – I'm really humbled to be representing everyone. I don't feel a weight on my shoulders; I feel the support underneath me, lifting me up. It’s a tough journey, but I’m going to put on a show and enjoy it.

Keep the flow and love,

Thanh

Thanh Bui
Thursday, 11 September 2008 21:24

Week One

Hi everyone,

I had a really bad day yesterday - I was homesick, and missing my family, my wife, and my life back home. It was a day of mixed emotions, but there are really great people in the Final 12, and I get along well with everyone. I’ve made some good buddies, and we’re there when we need each other. Plus we’re in a great house which overlooks the ocean, which is fantastic.

I woke up on the right side of the bed today and I feel great. I feel humbled and happy to be here. Love the Sydney weather – it’s been fantastic for the past few days. I woke up at 6am to a sunrise over the ocean this morning, which was absolutely beautiful. I had to pinch myself, and say ‘I’m here’. Now it’s time to refocus, and take each day as it comes. That’s a cliché, but it’s so true.

The schedule’s been crazy; we’ve been so busy doing press and media. We did a photo shoot for Mazda yesterday, where we had to smile and whistle at the same time, which is really hard!

It’s also been a hard week, seeing some of the guys go from the Top 24. You build some really strong friendships with them, and I was shocked to see them go. I feel a bit guilty taking their place, as everyone deserves it.

It’s been funny walking down the street and having people notice me. The other day Teale and I went to buy a focaccia and people were like, ‘Are you guys from Australia Idol?’ I wasn’t sure whether to say yes or not, but then I did, and signed some autographs. I’ve never done that in Australia, but it was great, and I feel lucky that I’m here

Luke is so funny –our shearer boy. Last night we were all sitting around the table with pizza and a glass of wine, getting to know each other a lot more. We’re all in each other’s pockets, and now everyone’s getting more comfortable being themselves. It really makes it easier being away from friends and family.

I’m getting to rock the stage on Sunday night, I’m really, really pumped! So far I’ve sung big ballads, but this time I’ll be doing what I’d do if I was doing an album, how that would sound. It’s a Maroon 5 meets JT vibe – R’n’B with pop-rock influences. I really wanna repay all the support and belief people have had in me, and yeah, rock it!

It’ll be good to focus on the performance and the song, and not the cameras. I’m excited to not think and just let creative juices flow and let the little crazy performer boy inside me come out!

Thanh

 

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Thanh

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