IT'S A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME WITH A GALLERY OF STARS

We spent a couple of minutes on Skype with him, saw his face and the connection screw up! But Mark Vincent look really charming and kind and very mature for a young boy.

He was only 16 when he won Australia’s Got Talent and now, at 20 years old, Mark Vincent has four albums under his belt. Perhaps not as prominent in Malaysia, but Vincent’s voice never fail to amaze listeners when you witness his performance on Youtube.

The young Australian tenor will be visiting Kuala Lumpur for his very first time to perform in front of a group of audience during the upcoming A Journey Through Time VII, Asia’s grandest luxury watch and jewellery showcase organised by Starhill Gallery. Vincent shared his excitement of performing songs like Beyonce’s “Halo” and Ylvis’ “What Does the Fox Say” with a new twist this November 28 and 29.

Mark Vincent spent some time talking to some local media earlier today and I was really honoured to be able to be a part of it. Here is a recap of the interview with this charismatic young talent.

On who he wants to collaborate with in future

This might sound weird and funny because of the genre I sing, but I’d really like to work with Beyonce. That’s why I recorded my version of Halo in my album. Also, I’d love to work with Andrea Bocelli. He is an amazing singer.

On why he chose classical as his genre

I started singing at a very young age of 10 at my grandpa’s restaurant and hence I am very inspired by his choice of music. I also want to promote classical music to younger generations.

On what the audience can expect from his performance on A Journey Through Time’s Gala Night

I will be performing a variety of songs, from pop to classical music that everybody will love and cherish such as Besame Mucho, Halo and even my classical rendition of “What Does the Fox Say”.

One thing a lot of people don’t know about Mark Vincent

I have a lot of love for all genre of music, not just classical. I get inspirations from other genre.

On what goes through his mind when performance

Nerves and goose bumps; but I think it is a good thing as a performer to feel nervous because it shows that we care. Also remembering the lyrics and trying to participate with the audience.

On his upcoming projects

I just released a new album and I am very excited to perform in the upcoming A Journey Through Time VII event and for KL to see what I can do.

Mark's most impressive performance yet

Be sure to catch him at Starhill Gallery for his rendition of the songs on 28 and 29 November! The performance is open to public. However, special invitations are required for Gala Dinners.

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The first time the song “She’s even more beautiful” hit the airwaves, I fell in love with the song and thought it was another Michael Buble single. However, the talent behind the song is actually Yannick Bovy, now known fondly as the Michael Buble of Belgium.

Bovy has performed in Malaysia three times previously and he is about to make his fourth comeback when he visits Malaysia for a night of spectacular glamour in A Journey Through Time VII, Asia’s grandest luxury watch and jewellery showcase. Organised by Starhill Gallery, the event will witness Bovy’s magical performance on stage at Shook! every night during their Gala Dinner from 22 to 24 November.

Bovy spent some time with the local media recently to talk about his upcoming performance and his love for Kuala Lumpur. I had the great honour of being apart of the interview and below are some excerpts from his interview at Starhill Gallery.

On what he like most about Malaysia

I love the people and the food. It helps because I love Asian food. To be fair, I’ve never been to the countryside but in KL, I love the food and the people. I have great contacts here and keep in touch with the great people I meet.

On what he will be if not a singer or performer

An artistic profession like painter or artist, maybe I’d draw.

On his favourite song from the past 5 years

Far too many to choose from because it all depends on the mood – happy songs for happy times, melancholic tunes for down period and when you feel connected to somebody or in love, I play romantic songs.

One thing a lot of people don’t know about Yannick Bovy

Besides a singer, he owns and runs five saloons together with his father.

On what Asian food he has tried and liked

Rice and curry fish, dumplings, springroll and sushi!

On why he chose his old covers

I want to pay tribute to the legends of the past. I don’t want the music to go off so I want to preserve them. That’s why I choose those covers. I also love those songs and it feels right to do covers of Bennett, Beatles, Sinatra etc.

On any Malaysian artiste/singer that he likes

I don’t know any singer from Malaysia but there is one song that I have heard and like called “Getaran Jiwa”.

On which timepiece he would want to model if given a chance

Richard Mille because he is the first to brought me to KL and the first person I have met personally. He is a really nice guy and I like him.

Fans of Yannick Bovy can go to Starhill Gallery to watch him perform from 22 – 24 November as A Journey Through Time VII is open to public. However, as mentioned, special invitations are required for Gala Dinners.

What's worth mentioning also is the A Journey Through Time VII event which will be happening from 22 to 29 November. It is the grandest and supposedly largest luxurious watch and jewellery showcase in Malaysia. For those of you who are into glitz and glamour, high society and expensive glitters, this is your chance to check out the timepieces and ornamental pieces. Some of these masterpieces are creatively mesmerizing and even if you can't afford 0.01% part of the watch, at least, learn about the artistic elements, the meticulousness of the design and the history of each of the timepieces and jewellery. Do you know why those watches are so bloody expensive? There is a reason behind it and nope, it is not just because they are covered with diamonds!

Internationally renowned names appearing at the event include Rolex, Omega, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Bedat & Co., Richard Mille, Hublot, Van Cleef & Arpels, Damiani, Chopard, Boucheron and Gubelin. But who am I kidding, besides Rolex and Omega, the rest I've only heard of it after I visited Starhill Gallery for the ..what, 10th time? But I have fun pronouncing most of the brand names wrong. Today I wanted to ask for directions to Maitres du Temps, and I said, Madam Tu Tom. Needless to say, no one understood me and I just gave up trying to pronounce it. I just went around after that looking for the shop. But it was fun. Hahaha.

And this year, the event is adding yet another string to its bow with the addition of a jewellery category to its annual awards show. On the final night, the closing gala will be held, including an awards show. This year, the prestigious awards will be: ‘Starhill Gallery Favourite Ladies Watch Award’; ‘Starhill Gallery Favourite Men’s Watch Award; ‘Starhill Gallery Watch with Complications in Movement’; ‘Starhill Gallery Timeless Jewellery Award’;‘The YTL Spirit of Classical Art Award’; and ‘The Tourism Malaysia Most Revered Luxury Item Award'.

So I am now inviting all of you to join in the fun. Come and check out these timepieces and learn new things.

Looking back, I am really really close to living my highschool dream. Who would have thought that I would be able to meet and work with celebrities that I once adore like Jason Lo, Peter Davis, and radio DJs whom I only get to listen to. And today, I got to talk to international performers,Yannick Bovy and Mark Vincent on the phone to conduct an interview with the media.

To be very honest, if I wasn't too stressed out about my other work, I'd have been 1000000 x more excited. Both of them will be down in Kuala Lumpur on 22 - 24 November and 28 and 29 November respectively to perform at A Journey Through Time VII, Asia's grandest watch and jewellery showcase organised by Starhill Gallery.

But once again, as I end the night, and moving into November, I want to express my gratitude for everything - very very grateful for all the opportunities and the people I get to meet.

With that, I end the night as I cuddle up to Style Mylo.