Sharon Pereira, Vietnam Idol’s executive producer, talked about the show’s growing popularity and the chance it gives young singers to fulfill their dreams of stardom.

Slowly but surely, Vietnam Idol, a music reality show, is becoming popular among young audiences who love to watch their generation on TV. During the show, amateur singers are given a chance to break into the music industry. Sharon Pereira, Vietnam Idol’s executive producer, has gained international recognition after working in the industry for 13 years. She shared the memorable period when she worked shoulder to shoulder with Vietnamese colleagues in producing the programme’s second season.

How long have you been in Viet Nam? What inspired you to come and work here?

I’ve been in Viet Nam since July 2008 and I’m intrigued by the people and the unique culture of Viet Nam. I was travelling through the country while working on The Amazing Race Asia and was impressed with the mix of old and new in Viet Nam. This was what inspired me to work on Vietnam Idol.

You’re known as a very experienced media practitioner, with 13 years working in the industry. Most of that time was devoted to children and youth television programmes. Why did you choose youth to be your target audience? And why Vietnam Idol?

I enjoy working with young people. They are full of enthusiasm and promise. The way they think is also fresh and interesting. I enjoy talking and working with people like that. I like the concept of giving someone the chance to make their dreams come true. Vietnam Idol is a good opportunity for someone hoping to make it in the music industry. It’s also a great way of discovering new talent and finding an inspiring person for the youth of Viet Nam.

A reality show is still a new concept for a majority of Vietnamese, so there isn’t much interaction between the audience and the show. But after spending over six months on Vietnam Idol, a show which has managed to gain public attention, what do you think of the status now of such shows?

Reality shows are a fairly new concept in Viet Nam but it has managed to capture the imagination of the Vietnamese audience. I believe Vietnam Idol has a faithful following who are keen to follow the journey of an ordinary person who becomes a star. As reality shows become more popular I believe this following will increase.

Could you share with readers the most memorable and the most difficult experiences related to your work on the programme?

I was very touched by some of the difficult life experiences the top 10 have gone through. They spoke of their families, hopes and dreams. It was difficult saying goodbye to someone every Friday. It’s like watching a family member leave home; you are sad but you wish them all the best.

Do you have any special remarks on this year’s wannabe idols and Quoc Thien, the newly awarded Vietnam Idol?

The Top 10 singers this year have been an amazing bunch of young people. They are a very talented group and have managed to achieve in a short time what others will probably take years to do. For that, they deserve our respect.

Quoc Thien is a very special young man who has struggled through great personal circumstances to achieve success. He was always respectful and thoughtful of others and has grown both as a person and a performer. I wish him and all the others the very best in everything they do.

Do you think the second season of Vietnam Idol has been a success? What makes the programme unique from other country’s versions?

I think this season of Vietnam Idol has been successful in several ways. We had more than 15,000 people attend the auditions which is three times more than last year. We’ve had very positive feedback about production standards and we saw a real reflection of what it means to go from zero to hero, especially when Quoc Thien won.

The defining factor of Vietnam Idol, other than the music, are the people in the show. They bring the unique blend of Vietnamese culture to life. Anyone watching the show will recognise this as the youth culture of Viet Nam today.

Do you think being a director of production in a foreign country is a challenging task?

An executive producer’s job is full of challenges, as there is always something that requires your attention. The added challenge in Viet Nam was the language barrier. However, that’s what made the job more interesting as there was a cultural exchange of ideas.

What do you think about the future of reality shows in Viet Nam?

Based on the reception Vietnam Idol has received, I think there is definitely a market here for reality shows. People are generally interested in other people’s lives and want to watch them go through experiences. The ups and downs you see in reality shows is a reflection of our daily lives, which the audience can identify with. I believe Viet Nam is ready for the “reality fever” that has hit the rest of the world.

Vietnam Idol will take part in Asian Idol – an international music contest that might be a challenge for the new idol. From your experience, what would you advise Quoc Thien do to be confident at such an international event?

Quoc Thien has the talent to go far in the music industry. His ability to move people with his ballads is truly amazing so he should continue to develop this. However, I believe Quoc Thien is versatile and is able to go beyond just ballads. I hope he will showcase his other talents and surprise audiences with other types of music as well.

Could you share with readers your future career plans, especially related to Viet Nam?

My immediate plan is to travel through Viet Nam and enjoy the wonders of the country. You are blessed with different landscapes and people, which makes Viet Nam fascinating. Then I am looking forward to seeing my family and friends back home. Viet Nam, however, will always have a special place in my mind.

VietNamNet/VNS