Lionel Lim
For an event totally organised and executed by the youths, the m:idea Youth Choice Awards (MYCA) was nothing short of perfect, striking the right chords with both youths and local celebrities present at Zouk Singapore.
“I tell you it’s an awesome awesome effort. Every year we come down it’s always different and to be honest, we like to come for these awards, it’s really very fun!” said Jack & Rai, a local indiepop duo.
Linnette Lau, a 3rd-year polytechnic student, added, “I think it’s really impressive that this was organised by youths my age. I don’t think I would have been able to put up with the amount of stress and work that comes with the planning of such an event.”
Organised by m:idea, a student-run media conglomerate from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Film & Media Studies, MYCA is unlike most other award shows as it doesn’t celebrate the success of our local musicians and celebrities. Rather, it is an award show that recognises the voice of the youth, having received more than 91,000 votes during the voting period of the campaign.
With 12 fun and varied award categories to choose from, voters could decide who was worthy of titles such as the “Hottest Female Personality I Wanna Date” or the “Cutest Male Personality I Wanna Bring Home”. Youths could also vote for their favourite brands in categories such as “Favourite Nightspot” and “Favourite Fashion Brand”.
MYCA attracted throngs of celebrity supporters who gathered at the entrance of Zouk from as early as 5pm. To their delight, the celebrities and bands were also out in full force, from Felicia Chin and Nat Ho to Sixx and West Grand Boulevard.
But while fans and youths present were afforded the opportunity to rub shoulders with these famous people, none could hold a candle to overnight sensation Mr. Yam Ah Mee, whose thank-you speech for his “Best OMG! Moment” award made the audience utter “Oh My God!”
The famous line, “Pursuant to section 49, sub-section 7e, Paragraph A…” that propelled the current Chief Executive Director of the People’s Association (PA) into superstardom, was proudly exclaimed to a chorus of cheers.
There were certainly no lack of fun and humour at this event as local The Noose newscasters Michelle Chong and Alaric Tay also poked the funny bone of the 400-odd youths there. Though they were unable to attend the awards night, Alaric and “LuLu” did a touching or maybe an extremely funny thank-you video for their voters.
In keeping with the vibrant and cheeky tone of the night, Irene Ang, recipient of the special “Most Awesome Personality I Wanna Be BFFs With” award also suggested that her award should be changed to “The Mother I Wish To Have”. Explaining with a huge grin, the local multi-talented celeb said, “If you have a mother like me, quite cool right?”
But while these celebrities took turns to rouse the crowd, Felicia Chin, the winner of the “Hottest Female Personality I Wanna Date” took the stage and shared, “My make-up artist was telling me that it was quite strange for me to win this award because the hottest female personality I wanna date currently has no dates!”
With definitely no lack of interested guys, this reporter even tried his luck on the red carpet, asking if she would consider a date with any of her voters or myself to which she replied, “Maybe, maybe.”
But though this reporter’s hopes of dating a celebrity might have been dashed, the night was still thoroughly enjoyed by everyone present as percussion group Barucada Batucada and Ukulele Movement took turns on stage to entertain the crowd.
“I thought they did a good job and I think it’s very impressive that it’s teenagers our age who are the ones behind this event,” said Melvin Lim, 20, a 2nd-year polytechnic student who was impressed with both the acts and the event itself.
Nat Ho, who finally picked up the “Cutest Male Personality I Wanna Bring Home” award after being nominated for a third time was also equally impressed, “Every year m:idea outdo themselves. I’m very proud of the kids from the School of Film & Media Studies. Maybe next year, we’ll fly to the moon.”
A successful and fun MYCA 2012 also spelt further opportunities for m:idea as an impressed Mr. Yam Ah Mee also suggested collaboration between m:idea and the PA, “With their skill-sets and ideas, there will be many opportunities for m:idea and PA to work together.”
Praising m:idea for their boundless creativity, Mr. Yam also added that “The m:idea Youth Choice Awards shows that youths are taking ownership of the different activities to encourage more youths to get together.”
But even with celebrities out in full force, the night wouldn’t have been possible without the youths and the voters. Hampers chock-full of premiums from brands like FreshKon, SingTel, Contiki Holidays and SOUL by Ludacris were presented to the top 3 fervent voters and an iPad 2 was given to a lucky winner at the event itself. After all, MYCA was put together by youths, for youths!
Full list of winners:
Hottest Female Personality I Wanna Date: Felicia Chin
Cutest Male Personality I Wanna Bring Home: Nat Ho
Coolest Comedian I Wanna LOL With: Michelle Chong
Best OMG! Moment: Mr Yam Ah Mee’s “Pursuant to Section 49″ after General Elections
Celebrity Duo I Wanna Chill With: Michelle Chong & Alaric Tay
Band I Wanna Throw Myself At: West Grand Boulevard
Favourite Restaurant: Astons
Favourite Dessert: Ben & Jerry’s
Favourite Nightspot: Zouk
Favourite Fashion Brand: Uniqlo
Favourite Beauty Brand: The Body Shop
Favourite Tech Brand: Apple
For full media coverage, log on to http://mideayouthchoice.com.
All photos courtesy of Klix Photography.
UrbanWire is the official e-zine for the m:idea Youth Choice Awards.