This month, we go overseas all the way to Thailand to speak to singing sensation Tata Young. She’s back with a second album and she’s ready to go global. She’s also the brand ambassador for i-mobile.

Khaw Chia Hui

How do you feel about being i-mobile global brand ambassador?
This is my “dream comes true,” project. Personally, I’m so much into the mobile phone, so this is an honour for me to be the global brand ambassador for i-mobile. It will be a great experience to meet my fans all over Asia.

What kind of phone do you own?
Currently, i-mobile 611 in ocean blue color.

How do you like it so far?
I love it. Fashionably cool and it’s very “Tata Young.”

What is so special about your i-mobile 611?
Well, let’s see. It has 2 MP Camera and a wireless FM radio. I can turn on the radio out loud with no need for the headset. Plus, the coolest thing: Tata Young exclusive content, wall paper, MP3, and MV that you can’t find from any where else. 

How important is your mobile phone to your superstar lifestyle?
Besides, my making a lot of calls and heavy SMS usage, it’s awesome to have a high quality MP3 player and speaker in my phone. It’s like an all-in-one gadget for me. I practice singing, dancing, or event taking photo with my i-mobile 611. Basically, it’s like having my entire world travelling with me.
 
What other gadgets do you own?
I also have a Pocket PC, but since I got the i-mobile 611, I have all things I need in my mobile phone already.

Tell us a bit about your new album, Temperature Rising.
The album “Temperature Rising” is my second English language album and I really put in all my hard work into it. Plus, this album has famous song writers and producers who have worked with other singers like Natasha Bedingfield and Paul McCartney.

How is it different from your previous works?
The album “Temperature Rising” is a R&B, Hip Hop and Pop album. While the album “I Believe” is more a Pop album.
 
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
I have plans for an “Exotic trip” to Bali with some lucky i-mobile buyers. After that, it would be the European tour of five or six countries.

How do you feel being a role model in Thailand and Asia?
Of course it does feel good to be an inspiration for people, but it also comes with responsibility. I show to the world that I have come this far because of my hard work and support from the fans. I think that means something. So, being a role model is the most challenging subject for me right now and I am working hard to keep myself as a good inspiration.



Any plan for a world tour?
I have plans to go to Italy, Spain, France, and England between April- May. This is another great thing for my life because I will be the first Asian Artist going on for a promotion tour in Europe.

What is the most impressive experience you had with a fan?
During my current concert in Bangkok in December 2006, all of my friends sang the “Happy Birthday” song to me. It just happened that my concert was on my birthday and I was very surprised to have 30,000 fans singing a birthday song to me. That was surely something for a lifetime memory.
 
Do you give out your mobile numbers to eager fans?
I travel a lot and change my mobile phone number often. Mostly, I communicate with my fans through www.tatayoung.com. I constantly check my mail box and reply all my fans’ email.
 
Is there anything else you are currently engaged in? (Movie, Drama, Plays)
For now I want to focus on my new album and my tour. However, I have done all sorts of things: movie, TV series, Model, Presenter, and brand ambassador, but I can’t get away from the fact that I am a singer. It seems to me that all the things I have been involved in, whatsoever, are connected to my singing.

What do you look forward to do in the future?
I’m the person who lives with the present, making every single minute to be the best minute of my life.  I do my best in everything and in every single minute of today. Then let’s see how it goes.
 
Let’s talk about Internet lifestyle for a while. Are you a keen user?
Of course, I am. Since I have to travel a lot, Internet has become a part of my life in communicating with my family, my friends, and all my fans.

Do you have a website?
I have a lot of websites, mostly created by my fan clubs, but my official website is www.tatayoung.com and another one is www.tata2you.net from my fan club.
 
What do you think about the new media, e.g. blogs, Youtube and such?
I think it’s making the world smaller and connecting people together.

How do you unwind after a long day at work?
Well, my dog is my relaxation. After long day at work, I go back home and play with my dogs for a long time. I really love them and they’re an important part of my life.

Anything to say to your Malaysian Fans?
I had a wonderful time during my concert in KL on November 2006. All the Malaysian fans were so nice to me. I never expected to have that kind of warm welcome, but they did surprise me with the greeting and great response. I would say that Malaysia is one of the most impressive places I have even been and of course I am looking forward to go back there again.