Latest news with #Yuyu
New Straits Times
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Eda Ezrin denies connection to drug bust involving TikToker
NARATHIWAT: Malaysian dikir barat singer Eda Ezrin, who is currently being held at the Narathiwat prison, has denied any connection to a major drug bust involving a woman known as Yuyu and urged the public not to pass judgement based on a viral video. The 30-year-old, who has been in custody since November last year, said she had no ties to Yuyu, who was recently arrested with five others and found in possession of drugs worth more than RM5 million. In a brief 30-minute interview at the prison today, Eda hoped her fans would not associate her with individuals involved in drug-related activities simply because of a TikTok clip circulating on social media. "I'm just an ordinary singer. I have no connection whatsoever with the woman named Yuyu. "She is not my friend, as claimed online. I've only met her a few times at social gatherings. She is a friendly person and often invites people to join her TikTok live sessions," she said. Eda said prison officers had informed her about the viral content, and she was shocked to learn that her casual interaction with Yuyu in a short video had sparked misunderstanding. "I want to clarify this to my fans so they do not view me negatively. I have never been involved in any unlawful activity," she said. Appearing composed throughout the interview, Eda expressed hope that her family and supporters would continue praying for her, her husband, and the four others detained with them to be released soon. "However, if it is my fate to remain in prison longer, as I've been informed that the Thai prosecutors are still appealing my case, I will accept it with an open heart," she said. Eda, whose full name is Wan Norshaheeda Azlin Wan Ismail; her husband Mohd Affendi Ahmad, 35; and their friends; Eridieka Mohd Noor, 33; Mohamad Alif Deraman, 33; Nur Aida Mamat, 33; and Zuhaira Nasrin, 26; have been in prison for nearly nine months. The six were arrested for allegedly possessing 6,059 methamphetamine pills. In March, the Narathiwat Court acquitted them of jointly possessing the pills with intent to distribute, but allowed prosecutors to appeal the decision.
Straits Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Concert review: Original singers of Studio Ghibli movies breathe life into the films on stage
Japanese singer Azumi Inoue (left) and her daughter, Yuyu, performed at The Music Of Studio Ghibli Original Singers Symphony – Singapore concert. PHOTO: SOZO Concert review: Original singers of Studio Ghibli movies breathe life into the films on stage The Music Of Studio Ghibli Original Singers Symphony – Singapore The Star Theatre June 11 Apart from their mix of fantasy, whimsy and emotional storytelling, music is a key reason films by Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli have charmed their way into hearts worldwide. Largely composed by Japan's Joe Hisaishi, memorable tunes from movies such as My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Only Yesterday (1991), Princess Mononoke (1997), Spirited Away (2001) and Howl's Moving Castle (2004) have been as evocative as they are moving. These beloved theme songs came alive during a 140-minute concert at The Star Theatre on June 11, performed by their original singers and backed by the 17-member Tokyo Asia Orchestra. The three Japanese artistes took the 3,000-strong audience on a four-decade trip down memory lane, back to the magical worlds of Japanese Shinto folklore, cursed princes and friendly wood spirits. 1. Sumi Shimamoto The voice actress has been working with Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki even before Studio Ghibli was formed in 1985. Shimamoto, 70, voiced the character of Lady Clarisse in Miyazaki's feature-length directorial debut Lupin III: The Castle Of Cagliostro (1979) and the title character in Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind (1984). During the concert, she conveyed the passion of Fire Treasure, Lupin III's primary theme song. She also sang Nausicaa's theme song, capturing the innocence of a pacifist princess in a post-apocalyptic world. 2. Yoshikazu Mera With a vocal range of 3 ½ octaves, the countertenor was chosen by Miyazaki to sing on Princess Mononoke. He felt Mera's voice had a special, ambiguous quality, which made it hard to determine if it belonged to a man or woman, child or adult, Japanese or foreigner. With his ethereal pipes, the 54-year-old expressed the movie's serene beauty and dark mystery in his live rendition of the theme song during the show. The classical singer – who was born with congenital osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease – said onstage that he hoped the concert will go some way to help people accept and look past their differences. He added: 'Some are taller, some are shorter. We speak different languages and have different beliefs. But we all live on this earth. It's about time we acknowledge our differences and coexist together in harmony.' 3. Azumi Inoue The wheelchair-using 60-year-old, who suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2023, performed the ending theme song of My Neighbor Totoro in her sweet and light voice, and got the audience waving their hands in the air along to the tune's iconic refrain 'To-to-ro Totoro'. Inoue's 20-year-old daughter Yuyu is an up-and-comer with a pure, beautiful voice. She sang along with her mother on My Neighbor Totoro, and also performed duets with Shimamoto (The Rose from Only Yesterday) and Mera (The Name Of Life from Spirited Away). The ingenue shared excitedly during her set that it was the pair's first time in Singapore, and they took many photos of the Merlion sculpture. She gushed: 'Singapore has been among the top countries that we have wanted to visit, so we are so happy to be here.' Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
