Post by Stephany on Mar 13, 2007 7:37:28 GMT
Article from TODAY SINGAPORE.
A duet with Streisand? That would surely be lovely to listen to i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
Safe from stalker's threats, Kiwi singer counts her Treasure
13 March 2007
TODAY (Singapore)
(c) 2007. MediaCorp Press Ltd.
New Zealand-born soprano Hayley Westenra may have been spooked by threats to her security but that hasn't kept her from embracing the freedom of living alone.
Speaking to Today from London where she is now based, the 20-year-old singer calmly recalled a period last spring when a German fan stalked her and even jumped on stage during a performance.
"At that time, it really shook me up because the stage is a place where I feel safe and comfortable. So, it's unnerving when someone invades my space," said Westenra, who at one time hired Victoria Beckham's former bodyguard to protect her.
Putting the experience behind her, the singer has since been busy promoting her recently released third album Treasure.
"The initial idea was to record traditional songs that were passed down to me from my Nana," she said. "So, I ended up doing a collection of traditional songs from places such as New Zealand, Ireland and Italy because I want to keep the stories behind old music alive."
Crowned New Zealand's best-selling artist at age 15 thanks to her debut album Pure - also the fastest-selling debut record in the history of England's classical charts - Westenra hasn't let success change her.
"I'm a very independent person, I like my 'me time' and I enjoy starting my day the way I want but there are times when I crave company," she said. "Living alone also means I just cook for myself and there's nobody to help me with the dishes."
Loneliness certainly isn't a concern when Westenra gets on stage.
Having used a world tour with pop-opera quartet Il Divo as the warm-up for a series of shows in the United States next month with Irish singing group Celtic Woman, Westenra is now hoping to fulfil a dream of a duet with her showbiz idol.
"I hope to sing with Barbra Streisand. She sang a song called Tell Him with Celine Dion and I used to sing it with my sister a lot and I never got over this song."
13 March 2007
TODAY (Singapore)
(c) 2007. MediaCorp Press Ltd.
New Zealand-born soprano Hayley Westenra may have been spooked by threats to her security but that hasn't kept her from embracing the freedom of living alone.
Speaking to Today from London where she is now based, the 20-year-old singer calmly recalled a period last spring when a German fan stalked her and even jumped on stage during a performance.
"At that time, it really shook me up because the stage is a place where I feel safe and comfortable. So, it's unnerving when someone invades my space," said Westenra, who at one time hired Victoria Beckham's former bodyguard to protect her.
Putting the experience behind her, the singer has since been busy promoting her recently released third album Treasure.
"The initial idea was to record traditional songs that were passed down to me from my Nana," she said. "So, I ended up doing a collection of traditional songs from places such as New Zealand, Ireland and Italy because I want to keep the stories behind old music alive."
Crowned New Zealand's best-selling artist at age 15 thanks to her debut album Pure - also the fastest-selling debut record in the history of England's classical charts - Westenra hasn't let success change her.
"I'm a very independent person, I like my 'me time' and I enjoy starting my day the way I want but there are times when I crave company," she said. "Living alone also means I just cook for myself and there's nobody to help me with the dishes."
Loneliness certainly isn't a concern when Westenra gets on stage.
Having used a world tour with pop-opera quartet Il Divo as the warm-up for a series of shows in the United States next month with Irish singing group Celtic Woman, Westenra is now hoping to fulfil a dream of a duet with her showbiz idol.
"I hope to sing with Barbra Streisand. She sang a song called Tell Him with Celine Dion and I used to sing it with my sister a lot and I never got over this song."
A duet with Streisand? That would surely be lovely to listen to i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
. Perhaps one day soon, Hayley's wish will be granted. If so, I for one would hope to witness it 
Thanks for finding this article Stephany. I keep saying it - but we learn a little more about Hayley each time she is interviewed.
[/