Crashing burning train wrecks of hilarity. It’s times like these that I thank the lord for tevo. We’re talking American Idol auditions people. The show has already set out across the country to capture our most coveted moments on tape where new pop culture icons will be born and die all in the same breathe. I’m sure you’re all counting down the days.
But I’ve got a bone to pick with the former products we’ve churned out so far. I’m feeling a lack of epic intensity that I feel someone who’s donned the title of an idol should hold. Actually, Adam FLambert is pretty ridiculous in a pretty fabulous way because glitter and platforms my friends will get you far no matter who you are. Let’s take a step over here to the right and observe the Korean Idols I put on blast like… all the time. They’ve got their image on lock. Song/Dance/Act/Heart Throb/ beastly fashion sense = IDOL. Can I just emphasis style in this equation please. For us American’s, throw in a sappy story and you’ve got yourself a winner. In fact, I think I’ve found one.. sans the Korean part.
Usually I don’t make it past the preliminary rounds, but this season, American Idol’s got my full attention from start until…when my friend finishes. Leng Phe, aka Phé La Roc, will be a contender in this madness! Instead of me blabbing about how amazing he is, I’ll prompt and let him do the talking.
Leng, see I told you I’d follow through with an interview now let’s enlighten the folks with a stream of obvious questions first then get to the nitty gritty:
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Nationality: Chinese/Cambodian-American
Relationship Status: SINGLE!
Blood type: B Positive
Birthday: August 23, 1986
Words to Live By: “What lies behind us, and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us” – Ralph Emerson
Things are looking hectic for you in these next two weeks. You’ve got your American Idol audition August 19th in SF and then you’re moving back to your old stomping grounds (Seattle) the next day. Lot’s of prepping, packing and partying to be had I’m sure. How are you going to spend your last two weeks in Cali?
Other than what you have mentioned, I’m squeezing in as much time as possible with a vocal instructor I’ve been seeing for the last 2 months, and piano lessons which I’ve started recently also. Not just preparing to move back home, but preparing for the competition. You really have to be entertaining on a huge reality TV show like American Idol, and so I’m studying successful performances, researching the songs I’d like to sing, studying body movements, and really making myself a student all over again. Then accepting there’s the hard truth that although I feel I am capable of being a finalist, I may not be what they are looking for.
I refuse to believe the truth.
Anyway, when we first met, you were Leng Phe, student, b-boy, Now you’re, Phé La Roc formerly known as Leng Phe, graduate, b-boy, pianist, singer. I didn’t know you were pulling out all the stops. What I do know is b-boying takes a big chunk of your life, seeing how you’re in two crews, Business Time and Art of Movement. What got you started, who got you inspired, why do you keep going, etc..
It took me a while to realize what I stand for, represent, and to be brave enough to actually declare it to people. If you’re not going to believe in yourself, who will right? I literally transformed from not believing in myself at all, to believing in myself, to having other people believe in me but I thought they were lying, to really believing and trusting.
There were plenty of really bad influences around me growing up, and with bboying I found a good niche to where I could stay out of trouble and be cool simultaneously. My good friend Robert Sayamongkhoumn was a young bboy when I met him and he really sparked a desire in me to improve. I joined the military fresh out of high school and was stationed in Northern California and met one of my good friends Donovan Demerin who began to school me up. My inspirations would include Skill Methodz Crew, Boogie Brats, Massive Monkees, and of course Art of Movement (Seattle, WA) and Business Time Crew (Davis, CA). I’ll be battling more frequently with Art of Movement since I’ll be back home, but will occasionally come back to Northern California to rip it with the family/crew I have out here.
What’s the deal with Phé La Roc? I get the passion of an artist, but out of “So You Think You Can Dance” and “American Idol” why would you choose “American Idol”? Haven’t you been dancing longer than you’ve been singing? or are you doing both…
Phé La Roc, or Phé is the entertainer who is not the best at his crafts, but working quite diligently towards it. Why “American Idol” over “So You Think You Can Dance”? Simply because my singing moves people more than my dance. Right now, I just want to get my name out there and to build a fan base.
Last year was Mr Hyhpen, ( A show case to break the stereotypes of Asian American Men… also known as man pageant) where I had the pleasure of witnessing your sexay rendition of Marvin Gaye’s, “Let’s Get It On”. I think every 16 year old girl had their phone out snapping pictures. Seriously, these little ladies were wooed. Is that your plan of attack for American Idol to capture the “Twilight” female audience?(I understand if you don’t want to give up your strategy so omit this question if you want. )
*More importantly, at the Hyphen event, you were representing an organization called “Tiny Toones Cambodia”. ( Here’s where we insert America’s heartwarming sap story for success).
I remember you (Brett Barletta) with your phone snapping pictures also (hahaha just kidding). The strategy at the moment is to be prepared for the next challenge as much as possible. Luck is when preparation meets opportunity, and so I have to train and prep. If I could honestly capture the “Twilight” audience, this competition would be in the bag.
The non-profit organization I was representing at the event was Tiny Toones Cambodia. They use arts (specifically break dancing) along with further education and awareness programs to empower the Cambodian youth to lead healthier, enriched lives. I visited Tiny Toones in early 2009 on part of what was supposed to be a soul-searching trip. It was after getting to dance with them that I knew I wanted to be involved with this organization. The day I left, one of the youth grabbed my left hand with both his hands, and looked at me directly in the eyes while asking sincerely in Cambodian, “Elder brother, when will we see you again?” It was one of the most memorable, powerful, touching, and enlightening experiences to ever happen to me. I was in the military at the time and so I thought that being a man meant being tough all the way down to the core, and it was crazy that that one moment completely redefined what it meant to be a man.
Speaking of Cambodia, I understand there are some exciting upcoming travel plans in your future. Korea??? Veitnam?! Cambodia? Jealz… What will you be doing over seas? What are you bringing me back?
I will be visiting South Korea, Cambodia, and Vietnam. In Korea, I will be spending some time with Art of Movement in Seoul before they go on an Asia tour. Later on, I’ll be hosting and escorting a couple dancers from Full Circle Initiative based in San Francisco. They will be working with Tiny Toones youth on their visit while absorbing the culture. My very good middle school friend lives in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, so I will be visiting him. I will bring back a worthy present and a worthy hug for Ms. Barletta.
Thanks Leng. Godspeed my friend.
There you have it. Singer, Dancer, Heartthrob, Fresh ta Def Leng Phe the new American Idol. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled and I’ll keep you posted. Oh and feel free to add him on fb… he adds anybody.
