Idol: great chance but big challenge

(From L) Thanh Bui, Alexandra Burke, and David Cook at the press conference held in Hanoi on June 15

Photo: Tuoi Tre

TUOI TRE

After arriving in Vietnam yesterday for tonight’s H-Artistry music show at Hanoi’s Quan Ngua Sport Complex, American Idol 2008 winner David Cook and X-factor 2008 champion Alexandra Burke along with Vietnamese-Australian singer Thanh Bui held a press conference at the Metropole Hotel.

At the meeting, the three talked about how the title “Idol” affects their lives.

“Being an idol brings me a great gift, but it is also a big challenge,” Burke said.

She added that her biggest challenge is making her music relate to audiences.

Cook said sometimes he does not feel comfortable when people called him an “Idol,” but being it has given him a great chance to chase his musical aspirations.

“To me it’s a dream coming true.”

Bui, who was in the top 8 of the Australian Idol 2008, said, “The competition has built up my confidence since I was supported by millions of fans. That was a start for my music career”.

When asked how to ensure their positions in the music industry, the artists said it is not possible only with the “Idol” title alone.

“It will take you a long time to know who you are, what your talent is and how you grow,” Cook said. “Maybe after 10 or 15 years, you will find the answers.”

Rock singer-songwriter Cook was born in 1982 in Houston, Texas. He released his first album, “David Cook,” in November 2008. It later earned the Platinum Medal from the Recording Industry Association of America.

Born in 1988, Burke released her debut single "Hallelujah," which sold 105,000 copies in one day and became the top-selling song of the year in the U.K. Her debut album “Overcome” was released in October 2009 and entered the U.K. Albums Chart at number one.

Vietnamese-Australian Thanh Bui was born in 1983 in Adelaide, South Australia. He has become famous since he was in the Top 10 Australian Idol 2008. He made his debut performance in Vietnam last year when he released a hit Vietnamese single with pop star Ho Ngoc Ha.

H-Artistry is an annual event held by cognac manufacturer Hennessy. According to organizers, Cook will perform with his band while Burke will be accompanied by her dance crew.

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