Gam stars on stage
Did you know
Gam provided the voice of Daniela for the Thai animation Flying with Byrd.
By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos Varuth Hirunyatheb
Wichayanee Piaklin (Gam) has been praised for her stylish and powerful singing since she was crowned as the first female winner of The Star back in 2008. Since then, Gam has released several singles and toured around the kingdom, developing her versatile singing skills.
The 24-year-old performer can sing in a wide variety of styles, including pop songs in Thai, English and Korean, as well as look tung songs. Aside from her impressive musical abilities, Gam’s great sense of humour always entertains the audience.
Last year, Gam also branched out into acting with her role in the stage musical Rak/Jap/Jai: The Romantic Musical. More recently, she played a leading character in an episode of the drama, Club Friday The Series 2.
Student Weekly recently met up with Gam at the Idea Fact office as she was preparing for the Young Divas and The Super Men concert to be held on November 24, which will also feature New Jiew and Dome Jaruwat. Gam told us about the upcoming concert and about some of her exciting live experiences.
Student Weekly: How do you feel about being described as a young diva for the upcoming concert?
Gam: Diva usually refers to a successful and sassy singer. I’m not that successful, but I feel proud. I’m happy to be called a young diva rather than just diva!
Student Weekly: What makes this concert stand out from other musical events?
Gam: It’s a concert that gathers young singers to celebrate the 30th anniversary of GMM Grammy. There will be a lot of beautiful, chart-topping songs from the past 30 years performed, as well as songs specially chosen by the performers because we really want to sing them. There will be lots of variety, and even battles between singers.
Student Weekly: What are you typical live performances like?
Gam: It’s always full of variety. I can sing in many styles. A lot of people still remember the way I was during The Star, so they think that I only sing powerful songs. But during my gigs, I perform many different types of songs to make the audience happy.
Student Weekly: How do you feel about lip-synching?
Gam: I never lip-synch, even when I’m sick. People come to my shows because they expect to hear me sing live. Performing live is a singer’s job.
Student Weekly: Which of your concerts have you enjoyed the most so far?
Gam: I’ve liked every concert, but at my latest concert, DJ on Stage VS the Star, I enjoyed singing Beyonce’s hit, “Single Lady,” with DJ Opal Panisara. Both Beyonce and Opal are my idols. I was so happy to sing, dance and talk with Opal at the concert.
Student Weekly: Have you ever experienced anything strange during a tour?
Gam: After The Star programme, I met some unusual fans. One fan dug fingernails into my hand until I was bleeding, and some other fans stole my rings. [Laughs.] Since then, I never wear rings when I shake hands with somebody!
Student Weekly: Can you tell us about your gig in Japan last May?
Gam: I went to perform at a food festival in Osaka with other Thai singers. I was surprised to meet Japanese fans who like T-pop music. They could speak Thai and had visited Thailand to see concerts and musicals. One of them told me that she cried when she heard me sing the ballad, “Chee Wit Li Kit Ang [I Create My Destiny].” I was very impressed.
Student Weekly: Can you share any good tips for losing weight?
Gam: I’m a fan of Girls’ Generation, and their great figures inspired me to be slim. I used to skip meals, but it didn’t work because I had no energy to work and my empty stomach kept making embarrassing noises! Now I eat every meal, but I just have a light dinner and I never have snacks, sweets or soft drinks. I also go to a gym and play badminton. I’ve lost about 10 kilogrammes since I was on The Star.
Student Weekly: Why should music fans go to the Young Divas and The Super Men concert?
Gam: You’ll hear hit songs from GMM Grammy from the past 30 years, as well as popular English language songs. Aside from great songs, the stage will be in the centre of the hall and will rotate 360 degrees. We’ll do our best to put on a great show!
Vocabulary
- praise (v): to express your approval or admiration for somebody or something
versatile (adj): able to do many different things
diva (n): a famous female singer
sassy (adj): fashionable and confident
anniversary (n): a date that is an exact number of years after the date of a special or important event
lip-synch (v): to movie your mouth without speaking or singing so that the movements match the sound of a recording
figure (n): the shape of the human body, especially a woman’s body that is attractive
rotate (v): to move or turn around a central fixed point
