Sympathy for Monkey Joakim




September 04, 2006
By Low Lai Chow

You’ve got to hand it to tenacious 18-year-old ITE student Joakim Gomez for doing the victory dance this far into the competition despite drawing open disdain and he-cannot-sing snickers from judges, critics and public alike. As the unofficial whipping boy of Singapore Idol 2 finally takes his ‘dignified exit’ from the competition, we pull up a chair and lend a sympathetic ear as the hardworking ‘performing monkey’ tells us about having biker guys pull up to him and say “You sucks”. (sic)



Congrats, you've survived till the Top 5.
JOAKIM: Yeah… but it hasn't been an easy smooth sailing journey. There's been lots of controversy. But I'm happy to come this far and have a chance to perform for Singapore Idol .

Think you deserved to be booted out for Spectacular #8's Best of R&B theme? Even Ken said you improved.
There were nights that I should have gone out because I gave a not-so-good performance. But if there was any night I should have stayed, it was this one. I gave my best. I'm happy to leave on a good note, though. At least people say, “Wow, at least he could sing.”

You actually looked a bit happy to take your exit out. Were you relieved?
No matter how well you perform, it is up to the voters to decide. I was a bit sad to leave after my best performance, but I'm also happy.

What were you thinking as you and Paul were placed on stage to await the results?
During the commercial break, I was like, “Paul, why the hell did they put us together?” and he was like, ( Paul voice ), “Yeah lor , why ah ?” He was really a very close friend and I miss him. He's still the wacky kid. I hope he finds his mojo back now… a couple of weeks back, he lost his smile.

The competition must be pretty taxing for you guys.
I'm just very proud for us teenagers: Gayle, Rahimah, Jasmine, Paul and myself. We might not have that much exposure but we did very well. The competition can get very intimidating. But we're happy to know we have each other to fall back on. We are the teenage babies!

Has (vocal trainer) Babes Condes ever pulled you aside and told you can't sing?
Babes always says, “If only you could sing as well on your performance nights as you do in the rehearsals and vocal checks!” She's very encouraging. She really believes in me. She says I can sing but just lack exposure and experience on the big stage.

How do you feel about being the whipping boy for this ‘singing competition'?
The scapegoat, you mean? Come on, there were nights when I was not the worst performer… though there were nights when I was! The reason why I'm there is because I love performing — I use this to block out what people say about me. Sometimes it gets too personal, but all I can say is, this is a TV show. It's where people go to chase their dreams. Don't have to get too personal.

You were also compared to season one's Jerry Ong, who got his fair share of booing.
All I can say is, come on! Jerry is Jerry. I'm Joakim.

Ever get tired of all the dissing?
I actually kind of liked it. Being called this and being called that, I was like, “Hmmmm!” I'd flip to the next page and I'm like, “Wow, I'm called this too.” It gives me the extra drive to prove people wrong.

Had any moments when you wanted out of the competition?
No, not at all. But there were times when I was shocked, especially when Rahimah, Mathilda (got voted out)… actually, I'm shocked every night. The judges would give me very bad comments and I'd think I'd be the one voted out. But thanks to my supporters who kept me in — they knew what was going on, but were able to stay strong with me and give me their never-ending support. I owe them a big part of my Idol dream. Without them, I wouldn't go this far.

What was the worst thing you've heard said about yourself?
That I can't sing. I mean, this is a singing competition. I walked in the audition door and didn't speak my song out like a poem. I sang the song . That's why I got through. It's very tough. I thought I was ready for the competition, but I realised that it was a different ball game to be on TV.

There has been talk that you lasted so long ‘cos your mom kept voting for you…
Give me a parent who doesn't want the best for his child, and I'll tell you Rahimah and I are together.

Er, okay.
It's a joke! We're not together, okay?!

Seriously, your mom has really stood by you throughout this competition.
She has. She just wants the best for her child. And I really don't know how much she votes, or if she even votes at all. All I know is that after every performance I'd call her up and go, ‘Hi mum!' and she'd be like, ‘Hey, good job. I'm proud of you.'

Sometimes, seeing how your parents seem so united supporting you amongst the audience, it's a little surprising to know that they're divorced.
I'm just happy they put their differences aside and came together for the same reason: and that's me.

You've also been labeled something else: a ‘XMM (short for ‘ xiao mei mei' in Mandarin, or ‘little girl') killer'.
Well, I think Paul is more of the XMM thing! A lot of parents actually come up to me and say that I reach out to them. People have been giving me the impression that I attract all the ladies… but I've noticed these were all like family (oriented) people, not teenage girls. They sit down together to watch Singapore Idol and go, ‘Hey, I like this guy.'

But we always hear the teenage girls screaming for you in the audience. Would you call yourself an ‘auntie killer' then?
Not auntie lah ! As long as they are willing to support me all the way, I am happy. After the ‘performing monkey' comment (from Dick Lee), everyone started buying me monkeys. I got this bag saying ‘Tough Guys Wear Pink' and loads of cards. It's very special for me. From nobody to somebody, it's good to have the ability to make somebody's day by smiling at them.

Does your mom complain about cleaning your room?
No, she's happy! I clean my own room, and sometimes I read them while cleaning my room. But in the end I start reading again and again instead of cleaning!

Do you get loads of “Joakim I love you!” from your fans?
Er, yes. I'd say thank you, give them a big hug, and they would be like ‘Ahhhh!' ( A Channel 5 promotions rep starts to relate an incident about a girl who went apecrazy at a roadshow after Joakim accidentally brushed against her hand. )

She's not gonna wash her hand for ages, I'm sure.
No lah , she's not crazy. Let's just call her enthusiastic. Seriously, without all of them, I wouldn't be in the Top 12.

Are you feeling a bit averse to fame now?
No, it's fun, though there's a price to pay. Getting recognised has some positive and some negative things… okay, mostly negative. People will come up to you and give you encouragement. But this guy on a motorcycle, he stopped and said, “Hey Joakim, you sucks.” ( sic ) It can be quite heartbreaking, but once you are used to it, you just look back and laugh. People actually take the time to stop, turn and go “You sucks” while driving. It's kinda funny.

What will you miss most about the competition?
The whole Idol family. And performing on stage every week. That was my life since February. I'm happy ‘cos I get to rest now, but I'm sad ‘cos a part of me wants to go back there and perform. I was starting to find my own mojo.

Will you be making further foray into singing in the future?
With more practice, Babes says I have a nice tone. If I relax, I can sing well. But on stage it's totally different. I need to get more experience first. Maybe I'll host season 3 — just kidding! But I really want to stay in the media industry. I see myself here. I really love to entertain and perform for people. So, I seriously don't mind being anything.

You sang one of (host) Gurmit Singh's songs for the Asian Pop theme. And now, this talk about hosting. Is he your role model?
When I was young, I looked up to him. I actually brought a picture to my first audition on Feb 11 and asked Gurmit to sign it — that was taken eleven years ago when I was a small kid and Gurmit just started his career. Now I'm standing beside him again. I really look up to him; he's the man. But it's quite sad, everyone gets slammed in the industry. Even Gurmit and (co-host) Daniel Ong get it. Stop slamming!

Speaking of ventures beyond singing, what would you say if you and Rahimah were cast as lovers in, say, Shooting Stars II ?
Sigh. I wouldn't mind, but I hope it won't cause another scandal. I'm being true to myself, and there was nothing going on. NOTHING! The scandal report brought the four of us — me, Paul, Rahimah and Jasmine — closer together, but there were times when we'd be like, “How are we going to walk out later?” We have to be really careful. Anyone will blow up anything. But I'm totally numb to all these.

Has the competition toughened you up?
I can raise my head up high and walk confidently. I used to be so insecure and scared, but I've realised I am quite a strong fighter. I don't think anyone in my position would carry on in the competition. Some might even drop out. I'm proud of taking on these things and making my parents proud.

So will we see you on television on another reality series soon?
If you're talking about The Dancefloor , no! I'd sit home and maybe watch another Joakim perform. But seriously, if you have a dream out there, just chase it. You never know. Just be ready. I have no regrets at all. The judges made me grow up; whenever we went out, people chanted our names. It just makes you wanna just go out there to shine and conquer the whole stage.

Any immediate plans?
Catch up on six months of sleep and go back to school next year. I'd be happy to get some offers to do something within the industry… ( leans into the mic ) Are you hearing this?