Maia Lee may have been a regular part of the rumor mill during the Singapore Idol mania last year but there's no denying that Maia Lee has come a long way. Not winning the competition hasn't stopped Maia Lee from releasing her debut album Emotionally Advised, which contains nine English tracks and three Chinese ones.

On your album, you actually co-wrote some songs. How did that come about?

Prior to working on this album, I (Maia Lee) was already with The Usual Suspects and we actually co-wrote this song, "The Love You Promise." So it just came naturally when Jeffrey, my executive producer, told me to just co-write some songs for the album.

Have you written songs before?

No I haven't. But I'm stronger with lyrics than melody. I haven't tried that much (writing melodies). I (Maia Lee) don't find it difficult. He tells me what he wants the story to be like and I'd just write.

Your album is essentially pop rock. Is this what you had in mind or were you pushed into that direction?

It was like a mutual agreement. Everybody was like, "yeah ok, we like that."

So you're very happy with the album?

Ya!

Why work with various producers instead of one?

Because when you work with different producers, you get a different feel of the songs. I'm new so it's also an experience to work with different producers to know how they actually work and what they do. So far, all the producers have been very good and fun to hang out with.

What did you learn in the process of recording this album?
A lot that I don't even know how to describe… like teamwork. Other than that, it's the things I learned in the studio, about my singing maybe. I used to have a problem whereby I don't know where the bars are. After months in the recording studio, I know where to come in, how to count bars… so it's very beneficial to my singing.

For someone in the spotlight as well, and you being a fan watching it all happen before you, what do you think of the way the media treated Michael Jackson during his recent child molestation court case?

I think the media was fair. It's their job and he's a celebrity so he's bound to get that kind of coverage. But I think it wasn't as bad as the 1993 case 'coz people were like, "oh, again huh?" Personally I don't think he did it. Even if he did it, both sides are to blame. Whose parents would let their child stay with somebody else overnight? No way. Unless your child is an adult… so it's very obvious that the mother just wanted money.

You have three Chinese songs as bonus tracks on the album? How's your Mandarin?

My Chinese is good 'coz I come from a Mandarin speaking family.

So do you have an intention to do a full-length Chinese album?

I (Maia Lee) do have. We'll see how this album does first. For the second album, we're hoping that it'd be a Chinese album.



How has your life changed since you participated in Singapore Idol?

I get recognized more. I've met more people and more friends. At the same time, I lost contact with quite a few friends because I don't have the time to keep in touch. I also have less time to spend with my son. It's definitely better 'coz before, I had a stable job but the income… now there's a more significant difference.


I think most people would think you're the partying sort.

Let them think what they want! [laughs]

Who would you cite as your musical influences when you were growing up?

Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Guns N Roses [laughs]. I (Maia Lee) think that's about all.

Any more recent artists?

Michael Jackson not recent? Hmmm… [laughs] He's like my number 1. More recent ones… maybe LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood.

Your music's quite different from Michael Jackson.

He's a genius, I'm not.

What do you like about Michael Jackson?

I (Maia Lee)I like the way he packages himself. The way he dances. The things he writes… he can write about politics or world situations without making it sound very cheesy. He manages to carry it off well and, when I was younger, I (Maia Lee)I was very much attracted to the way he did his music videos. He had all those weird ideas. He lives in a fantasy world and I would like to think that I live in that too.


What do you is the most misunderstood thing about you?

That I'm somebody with a f**ked up attitude… and a party animal. Never judge a book by its cover. People see my tattoos and think, "she must be a bad girl." It's rubbish. I don't care. [laughs]

In a magazine interview, you said that love is temporary. Are you cynical when it comes to love?

My take on love… I'm the romantic kind and I would like to have a romantic partner but this kind of guys do not exist already. Okay maybe they do exist but I haven't found them. I think what's most important for me at this age now is career, money and family. I had a family before I had a career so now I have to put all my concentration on career. Whatever I say now, it's just my current mentality. I'm not saying that 2 years down, 5 or 10 years down the road I wouldn't change.

Is it hard being a single mum in Singapore?
I'm not sure. I don't really know any single mums. Single divorced mum, yes. Maybe it's hard for them. For me, from the start I was a single mum so I never knew what it feels like to have a partner to bring up the child together with me. Personally I don't find it tough. When you love a child, no matter how tough you won't say it's tough. So it's enjoyable.

What jobs did you do?

I (Maia Lee) was with the SAF MDC (Singapore Armed Forces Music & Drama Company). I was also a clinic nurse.

Do you find it difficult to go out now?

Maybe. Sometimes when people are looking and making some remarks… If they are positive, I would feel very shy and just walk away. If they're negative, I'd be pissed. I'd rather not hear anything. Before Singapore Idol… I am actually a homebody. I've never really gone out a lot. Even till now, I don't see much of the difference 'coz I'm usually at home.


Do you enjoy writing for The New Paper?
Yeah I do! All along I love writing. Before this New Paper thing, my retirement plan was to travel around the world and do a travelogue or just write a traveling diary. When the New Paper thing came along, they told me to write an entertainment column. I felt honored so I said ok although given a chance, I would prefer to cover news in war-torn countries. Since I'm in this line, when I interview other celebrities, I get to learn how they answer, how they behave, how fake or real they are. I get to study them so it's good.

So I'm interviewing a writer right now.
[laughs]

So would you like to write for MTVAsia.com?
Yes definitely! I (Maia Lee) would love to! [/quote]

For more information on Maia Lee, and for free Music and Video downloads visit http://www.cpopmusic.co.uk