Miriah's Top Five Reality/Talent Competition Shows of Her Generation

When we're talking about entertainment, it may be something to do with pop culture, publicity promotions, social analyses, and so forth. When it comes to that, our focus may be something about talent competitions being broadcasted on international television that has shown a lot of flare and excitement for viewers like us. Let's take a look at my top five favorite reality/competition series of my generation.

5. American Idol - A singing competition series TV executives call "the most impactful show in the history of television," many people come to prove that they dream of becoming big stars and getting a record deal - unlike Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Daughtry, for example, who has made the show biz circuit a success. Filling in the judging panel is Grammy-winning producer Randy Jackson, singer/actress Jennifer Lopez, and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler (while Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul remained focus on the U.S. version of The X Factor as well as Kara DioGardi releases her tell-all memoir based on her life experiences). With that being said, it influences many aspiring singers who has what it takes to make their dreams come alive.

4. Britain's Got Talent - The show being aired on ITV, which is an astouding success of all over the UK has introduced to opera singer and Season 1 winner Paul Potts and megastar Susan Boyle, who won the hearts of a live audience with her outstanding rendition of "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables which generated about 100 million views on YouTube. Hosted by the dynamic duo Ant and Dec, the Got Talent series has brought in people with surprisingly stunning acts including dancers, acrobats, singers, magicians and so forth. The live final on Season 3 has 17.3 million views based on popularity.

3. Dancing With The Stars - Based on the BBC version of Strictly Come Dancing, professional dancers pair up with notable people such as singers, a race-car driver, football players, actors, supermodels, athletes, Olympians, teen heartthrobs, and an astronaut. With Season 13 flying by, who surprises me the most on the dancefloor is Chaz Bono. Sure, many viewers get to tune in to see celebrities compete for the glitter ball and impress the judges' by their routines, but it helps to boost their confidence and energy.

2. The X Factor - With the UK version a success, the US version arrived this fall on FOX with judges like Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul (both former Idol judges), former Pussycat Dolls frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger, and record producer L.A. Reid and Steve Jones to host, grabs the attention to singers and groups, ages 12 and up compete for a $5 million record contract with Epic Records and star in their very own Pepsi commercial which will air on the Super Bowl XLVI on NBC. But who will be the next biggest thing on this show? Many viewers tune in to auditions in various cities in every state with notoriously, but jaw-dropping performances by thousands of underdogs who hope to make it to stardom.

1. America's Got Talent - Before there were many versions of the Got Talent series in every country, the first generation debuted on NBC for the winner to receive $1 million and a headline show at the Las Vegas Strip. Not everybody has to win the competition until runner-up Jackie Evancho came along with powerhouse performances and a great personality as an 11-year-old opera singer has come to prove it. So far, it is the most influential show in the entertainment industry on national television.

Summer came and went, now Fall begins!

Hi everyone,

Now that summer has almost came to an end, with kids going back to school and teachers coming back from their paid holidays, it feels like the days have gone by so fast.

I just came back from my recent vacation from Vancouver Island for a family reunion that was happening during the August long weekend. There was fun in the water, more sunshine like I wouldn't imagine, and some entertainment from our talented family members. I always come to think that a family reunion is not only a way to reconnect with relatives, it's a way of being closer and building relationships with one another.

One of the most exciting things about summer is that I became a devoted aunt since my stepsister Alana recently had a baby girl named Laura Katherine, who was born August 13, 2011, weighing 8 lbs, 9 ounces. When I made a trip to the hospital to visit her, there was not a dry eye in the house for me. I also got to hold her for the first time which brought me this ever present joy to my life as a new auntie. I thought that a baby is a worth a blessing and a true gift from God.

I also spend the rest of the summer going to the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver with a close friend Erica, marveling at the rides, food, live entertainment, and more fun for people of all ages. (Thank God I didn't go on the Atmosfear, cuz if I did, there wouldn't be any chance of trying to conquer my fear of heights.) Erica and I rewarded ourselves with airbrush cross tattoos on our arms which one says "blessed" on mine in a dark blue and "faith" on hers in a dark pink. The artist working at the parlour took a snapshot of us for her advertisement which was a lucky evening for us to remember.

Fall is about to arrive and I'm ready to get back to recreational activities at my church which is the art group and choir. I'm really excited for both of them to come up this week so that I can continue to explore my horizons.

In the meantime, I will be planning a couple of gigs later in the fall and early winter, so stay tuned and study hard for school! The best is yet to come.
Have a great Labour weekend!!

Top Ten Things You May Not Know About Me

When it comes to my passion for music, fun and laughter, and other activities, I've made a top ten list of the things you may not know about me:

1. I have mostly classical music playing on my iPod (everything from Handel, Bach, Puccini, and many composers I've come to admire for their work).

2. I play clarinet, hand drums and percussion instruments.

3. I am an internet techno freak (especially when my obsession with Facebook and Twitter come into mind).

4. I love canned seafood such as anchovies, oysters and sardines.

5. My major celebrity crush is on Matthew Morrison from the hit TV show Glee!!

6. I have a craving for protein bars and sports drinks.

7. I am never TOO OLD for Justin Bieber (LOL).

8. I have a phoebia of swimming underneath the ocean and heights.

9. I'm a shoe-aholic (when shopping for brands such as Converse and Sketchers, I bet there's too many to count in my wardrobe).

10. I love movies that are Oscar-worthy.

The Power of Il Volo

First there was the Three Tenors, then there was Il Divo, and now we have a new generation of the classical-pop group who takes center stage from around the world. Now, I'm talking about Il Volo.
Based in Italy, the group consists of Piero Barone, 17, Ignazio Boschetto, 16, and Gianluca Ginoble, 16, who appeared in a popular talent show "Ti Lascio Una Canzone" where they performed this amazingly powerful rendition of "O Sole Mio" which made them the first to win the competition. They decided to come up with the name of their trio Il Volo which means "flight" as in having the courage to spread their wings and soar. Subsequently, they went mainstream into America with their debut album which went certified gold and was on its way to going platinum in their home country.
With the success of their debut album IL VOLO, Quincy Jones asked the three young singers to record a compilation CD "We Are The World: 25 for Haiti" alongside Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban, and many others by paying tribute to the victims of that devastating earthquake that struck in Haiti.
Being the only youngest singers in the group, many people of all ages, including children and youth, would come to discover classical music in their lifetime.

Summer gigs announced

Hi everyone,

Summer is almost just around the corner and I have two upcoming concerts along the way.
On May 14, I will be back at the Pacific Carlton to sing for the 2011-2012 season of the White Rock Chamber Music concert series at 7:30 pm. Admission is $5 which will go towards the Peninsula Arts Foundation for scholarships and education.
On June 12, as an alumni for the White Rock Youth Ambassador program, I am also going to perform for the Miss White Rock Reunion (venue and location is to be determined). (Subject may change for time and schedule).
I hope to see you all very soon and have a wonderful and splendid summer!
God bless you all!!

Saturday Night Fever at the Canucks

Last night's Vancouver Canucks game at the Rogers Arena was an icing on the cake. Just when Mark Donnelly and I were set to sing the national anthem in front of thousands of people, I felt so blessed to be there. Although it was a splendid opportunity for me to change, it was an outstanding treat for my whole family and friends.

Part of the theme for the Canucks game, all of us as a community are supporting individuals around the globe are promoting World Autism Day. As a performer with high-functioning autism, I would come to make a difference in everybody's lives today. Without knowing any doubts about my barriers, I never look back on my past experiences. No matter what the circumstances are, I've been inspired to motivate other people living with an autism spectrum disorder to follow their dreams.

Once the game has just begun, there was party held up in the lounge on the fourth floor of the arena following afterwards. Suddenly, I was getting sidetracked by hockey fans and coordinators of the Canucks Autism Network with a little meet and greet. For a moment, I was completely overwhelmed with excitement for making my big break singing in front of a live television audience from all over the nation.

The game ended with the Canucks losing 4-1 to the Edmonton Oilers (although they still remain in the playoffs). It was a bit of a disappointment for me, but it has been an incredible honour for me to be there.

Miriah makes her debut at the Canucks

Hi guys,

It's only been a while since I haven't posted anything on my blog, but I gotta tell you...believe it or not, I will be officially singing the national anthem with Mark Donnelly at the Vancouver Canucks hockey games on April 2, 2011!!
It was about a couple of lessons ago when Mark had brought up the opportunity for me to sing with him as we were rehearsing a duet; I was completely ecstatic!! Through emails and phone calls from everywhere, everyone around the nation was astounded by the news as I announced it. Subsequently, Mark and I also did a dry run-through at the Surrey Eagles games (and it was only the second time we sang together and the first time singing in harmony for our national anthem).
If everyone of you are die-hard fans of the Canucks, be sure to tune in on April 2 as they play against the Edmonton Oilers!! For more information on ticket sales, go to the Canucks' official team website at http://canucks.nhl.com/
I hope to see you all very soon!!