| 27-05-2005
Cheryl Samad revels in her roles as Watsons health and beauty ambassador and the new co-host of Malaysian Idol. ZACK YUSOF catches up with the sparkling personality.
IN person, actress and TV presenter Cheryl Samad comes across as young, bubbly and full of infectious enthusiasm, not unlike a freshman trying to carve a niche in the entertainment industry. But dig a little deeper and you'll soon discover that the 25-year-old’s youthful and zestful demeanour belies a wealth of experience in television and presenting that stretches all the way back to an appearance in a Magnolia commercial at the tender age of four.
Her long list of credentials includes hosting TV3's Muzik Muzik, and more recently, 8TV’s reality show Nescafe Kick-Start, and acting in local TV serials Astana Idaman as well as the English-language Each Other and Table for Two.
And the list grows...
Watsons ambassador
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Cheryl Samad with Watsons Malaysia general manager Ian Cruddas at the recent launch of Smart Shopping with Watsons. |
One of the new hats that Cheryl currently dons is the ambassador for leading health and beauty brand Watsons, a role which sees her in a series of infomercials on TV.
To land the Watsons gig, Cheryl had to go through a series of auditions. "It was a long process which included a screen test where we had to present a script. I was called back and told that I got the job. According to the Watsons general manager, it was because of my personality and the fact that I have been hosting for nine years," she reveals.
Says Watsons Malaysia general manager Ian Cruddas: "Cheryl personifies the Watsons brand as she is smart, trendy and confident. We feel that her charm and substance will prove positive for the Watsons brand."
Young and active, she fits the Watsons user profile perfectly, and is definitely an ideal candidate to promote health and beauty tips through the series of two-minute infomercials called Smart Shopping with Watsons, which airs on TV3 every Thursday at 7.58pm.
"We've just shot all 13 of our infomercials. The experience has been more fun than I had expected," Cheryl enthuses before following it up with the inevitable plug. "The segments are informative and helpful in keeping people updated about products that are good for their skin. What I'm doing with Watsons is also giving kids tips on haircare and skincare, and even suggestions on male grooming. We get people coming in and sharing their experiences. It creates awareness and it's a fun approach to Watsons products.
"I really like telling people what to do to stay healthy and to take care of their looks," she adds with delight.
Malaysian Idol co-host
Another plum job that puts Cheryl in the limelight is co-hosting the second season of the reality talent show Malaysian Idol with Soo Kui Jien, better known as Jien. Cheryl replaces Sharifah Aleya, Jien's partner in the first season, in the new season that has just started airing on 8TV last Friday.
"It's was a great honour for me to be presenting the show. It's always fun to be involved in a show that you enjoy watching," she gushes. "I'am a big fan and like everybody else, I tuned in to watch it last year. It's a great experience for me so far because I get to watch things first-hand, like how the show is put together and the audition process, which is all very exciting. I also get to work with a youthful crew and of course Jien, whom I have known for a long time."
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Cheryl and her Malaysian Idol co-host Jien. Season Two kicked off on 8TV last Friday.
Cheryl has been working on the programme for a little over a month, visiting Kuching, Sarawak, and Johor Baru, Johor, as part of the show's audition process.
"In terms of organisation, production and talent, things seem to be going well for the show. Although we are still at the early stages, all the signs are pointing towards another successful season for Malaysian Idol.
"You would be surprised to find out just how many people turned up for the auditions. We’ve met some great people on the road who have been very enthusiastic and supportive. There have been a lot of parents bringing in their kids to the auditions, which brought home to me just what a family show Malaysian Idol really is."
Supportive parents
A Universiti Malaya law graduate (she graduated last year) who readily admits that she took up the course because she wanted to become the first female prime minister and "make a difference? Cheryl credits her parents (Dad's an engineer and Mum is "CEO of the household") with supporting her television career right from an early age.
"My parents are real darlings who have helped me so much," remarks Cheryl during a recent interview in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. "I began doing television at a young age and when I started college, I had to juggle my television work and studies. My dad made me promise him that I would finish my degree and when it got really difficult balancing all my commitments, I persevered because of that promise.
"I'm really glad I did because not once during the three years of studying law did he tell me to stop the television work. At one point I was travelling from my house in Seremban (Negri Sembilan) to college in Damansara, and to shooting in Selayang (both in Selangor), every single day for five months. I was so tired out at one stage that I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. It was my final year and I didn't want to screw that up. I made it through thanks to my wonderful parents and their support," says the middle child of Malay-Portuguese parentage; she has an older sister and a younger brother.
Destined for TV
After starring in several commercials, the Ampang (Selangor)-born lass got her first big break at 16 ?as the host of a children's show The Marvellous Hour, which first aired on TV2 in 1996.
"As well as being a show for kids we also had segments on movie updates and Hollywood gossip and I think that was my foundation to hosting," notes Cheryl.
After four-and-a-half years on the programme, she moved on to VJ-ing on MTV Asia's MTV No Limits and MTV Pulse before turning to acting, securing lead roles on Astana Idaman, Each Other and Table for Two.
For Cheryl, making Popiah Pictures' Each Other and hooking up with director Ng Ping Ho and producer Anne Low was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. "I had no acting experience prior to that. Even though Ping is young, he's very paternal and he trained me and Alvin Wong on Each Other. He made us me go through lots of intensive rehearsals and taught us the tricks of the trade. His lessons have been really useful to me."
So strong is the bond of friendship between Cheryl and Popiah Pictures that she promptly signed on to The Talent Factory, a talent outfit managed by Jien, Ng and Low. "People have approached me before to become my manager but it's difficult because you have to develop a friendship with and trust the person. I already have that with Ping, Anne and Jien. I think they make a great team. And the trust that we have is the big thing."
For now, Cheryl considers herself a presenter rather than an actress. "When I first started out, presenting was like a job," she recalls. Now it's become more intimate. Now I really care what happens on my show. It matters to me if the camera or lights are not working or the guests are uncomfortable."
"I always believe that you have to communicate with the audience. My role as a presenter is not just about talking. There's a lot of research and responsibility involved. It's an important task and that's why I take what I do seriously and always come well-prepared."
Spoken like a seasoned host.
"Smart Shopping with Watsons?airs on TV3 every Thursday at 7.58pm. ‘Malaysian Idol 2?airs on 8TV on Fridays, 9.30pm, and the repeat is on TV3, Sundays, 11.30am.
Source: The Star Online
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