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Invitations for `Taiwan's Susan Boyle' keep flowing in

2010/04/10 15:57:48

Taipei, April 10 (CNA) Invitations for Lin Yu-chun, a localtalent show winner who has been described as "Taiwan's Susan Boyle"-- a British KTV singer who achieved celebrity after winning aBritish talent show -- have been flooding in from Japan, the UnitedStates and South Korea, the staff of a local talent training schoolsaid Saturday.

A-List Entertainment, a company that produces top singers, stars,models and entertainers, said they had been inundated by callslooking for Lin.

The invitations included those from three major U.S. TV groups,asking for interviews and performances from Lin.

Lin became an Internet hit after his performance of "I WillAlways Love You" on local talent show " Million Star" was posted onYouTube April 6.

Before his overnight celebrity, however, the 24-year-old Linendured slights for four years, according to his mentor HsuNai-chung, better known by his nickname "Blue."

In 2006, both Lin and Blue's daughter took part in a musiccompetition, winning in the creative and singing categories,respectively.

They later signed a six-year contract with an agency, which ishow Blue, who is also president of the Pure Music company, got toknow Lin.

Blue saw Lin's potential and thought his ability to sing in agirlish falsetto, as well as his fleshy and baby-faced appearance,made him stand out.

Blue therefore coached Lin, hoping to lead him on the path tobeing a professional singer.

Under Blue's encouragement, Lin took part in several local TVtalent shows, but failed to draw attention. In addition, his agencyfailed to support him and poured cold water on his desire to takepart in TV talent shows.

Lin finally terminated his contract with the agency last year andenrolled in A-List Entertainment last October.

His rendering of Whitney Houston's song "I Will Always Love You"has spread fast across the Internet, enabling him to taste thesweetness of success for the first time.

Listening to Lin sing another Houston's signature song, "SavingAll My Love for You," some people might get the idea why he is calledthe "male Whitney Houston, " with his "near exact" rendition of theHouston original.

Blue said Lin might sound like a sissy, but pointed out that thisis perfect for his singing style.

According to Blue, Lin's voice is also ideal for one of thegreatest jazz singers of all time -- Ella Fitzgerald.

He said he also plans to nurture Lin as a "creative" singer.

Lin, who is 171-cm and weights 110 kg, said that he has beencalled "fat" since his childhood and that he used to care very muchabout his obesity, but now " I can live and be happy with myappearance."

(By Huang Hui-min and Lilian Wu)
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