Post by Stephany on Mar 5, 2008 14:06:00 GMT
Here's the article from "New Idea":
Hayley Westenra: A CLEAN CONSCIENCE
"New Idea" - By Trudie McConnochie
In spite of the star's, Hayley Westenra is fully focused on improving the world around her
Elegantly dressed, immaculately groomed and exuding confidence, Hayley Westenra has won over her audience even before she sings a single note.
The phenomenally successful songstress has won plaudits the world over in what has been a remarkable rise to fame. But here in New Zealand, she is adored for more than just her pure, exquisite voice.
But not everyone is a fan. Last week, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa launched a stinging attack on Hayley, branding her 'fake' and questioning her staying power. Hayley wisely chose not to respond to these remarks but plenty of people have leapt to her defence, showing how much this luminous talent has endeared herself to a very proud nation.
Speaking to New Idea in her role of UNICEF ambassador, Hayley appears unruffied by the controversy. She is well aware that her celebrity status marks her for criticism, but she doesn't let it curb her choices.
'I'm definitely aware of it, but you can't let it control your life,' the 20-year-old says.
'I just try not to worry about people judging me.' The inspiring young woman, plucked from the streets of Christchurch in her early teens and plunged into international musical stardom, is supremely confident about her ability to go the distance and righrly believes her future is bright.
'I'm very content to do my own thing and develop in my own way,' she explains.
'I love creating new music with Dave Dobbyn, but that doesn't mean I want to go down that road. I will keep creating and hopefully as I move forward I will take the audience with me.'
The grace with which Hayley has handled Dame Kiri's comments is typical of the pretty young singer's composure. When Hayley opens her mouth, people listen, and that's power she's learning how to harness.
'It's a bit bizarre having people listen to what you say but it's great to be able to use the power my singing gives me to give something back,' says Hayley, who turns 21 next month.
'When I first became a UNICEF ambassador at the age of16, I was keen to go on a trip to give me more authority to speak.
Now that I have been to Ghana, I do feel quite comfortable with the little bit of power I do have because I've seen it with my own eyes.' The Christchurch-raised popera star is urging Kiwis to support UNICEF's Tap Project from April 5 to 11.
For this campaign, restaurants around the country will request a donation for serving tap water to customers to raise money for irrigation projects in developing countries. The initiative was launched last year in New York, and New Zealand is the second and only other country after the US to get on board.
'I've seen how horrific the situation is. People are drinking from guinea worm-infested ponds and ingesting worms which come to the surface and cause open wounds,' Hayley says. 'Children are in a lot of pain and can't go to school. In our society, water is something we all take for granted but these people are drinking coffee-coloured, dirty water because they have no choice.'
Not all young stars today have such a strong sense of humanitarianism. Despite growing up in the public eye, Hayley has blossomed into an inspiring young role model and has learnt how to harness her fame to make a difference.
'When you're in the public eye, you do have a responsibility when people are watching what you do,' she says. 'It kind of means there's a bit more pressure on me to behave well but it's nice that I'm inspiring young children.
'I do have to be aware of my image but I never have to rein myself in. It's not much of an effort to keep my image up.' The clean-cut songstress is now based in London, where she owns a two-bedroom apartment. And it seems the adage is true - you can take the girl out of New Zealand, but you can't take the New Zealand out of the girl.
'It would be quite easy to be swept up by London life and all the craziness that goes along with it,' Hayley reflects.
'My Kiwi upbringing has ensured that I have stayed grounded. I'm close to my family and still stay in close contact with them, and I hang out with down-to-earth people too.
'I do enjoy the buzzes of London city, but I'm still a Kiwi girl at heart.' Socialising provides valuable respite from her relentless schedule, but down-time has not always been a priority. 'When I was younger, I was a little bit too focused on my career, But in the last few years I've found a really good balance and learnt you don't always need to do everything,' says Hayley, who is dating and describes herself as 'super picky' when it comes to boys.
'My sister's just started urn and is going to orientation week with toga parties. It all sounds like so much fun, but I don't feel like I've missed out on anything. I feel like I have been so lucky to be living such a rich life.'
"New Idea" - By Trudie McConnochie
In spite of the star's, Hayley Westenra is fully focused on improving the world around her
Elegantly dressed, immaculately groomed and exuding confidence, Hayley Westenra has won over her audience even before she sings a single note.
The phenomenally successful songstress has won plaudits the world over in what has been a remarkable rise to fame. But here in New Zealand, she is adored for more than just her pure, exquisite voice.
But not everyone is a fan. Last week, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa launched a stinging attack on Hayley, branding her 'fake' and questioning her staying power. Hayley wisely chose not to respond to these remarks but plenty of people have leapt to her defence, showing how much this luminous talent has endeared herself to a very proud nation.
Speaking to New Idea in her role of UNICEF ambassador, Hayley appears unruffied by the controversy. She is well aware that her celebrity status marks her for criticism, but she doesn't let it curb her choices.
'I'm definitely aware of it, but you can't let it control your life,' the 20-year-old says.
'I just try not to worry about people judging me.' The inspiring young woman, plucked from the streets of Christchurch in her early teens and plunged into international musical stardom, is supremely confident about her ability to go the distance and righrly believes her future is bright.
'I'm very content to do my own thing and develop in my own way,' she explains.
'I love creating new music with Dave Dobbyn, but that doesn't mean I want to go down that road. I will keep creating and hopefully as I move forward I will take the audience with me.'
The grace with which Hayley has handled Dame Kiri's comments is typical of the pretty young singer's composure. When Hayley opens her mouth, people listen, and that's power she's learning how to harness.
'It's a bit bizarre having people listen to what you say but it's great to be able to use the power my singing gives me to give something back,' says Hayley, who turns 21 next month.
'When I first became a UNICEF ambassador at the age of16, I was keen to go on a trip to give me more authority to speak.
Now that I have been to Ghana, I do feel quite comfortable with the little bit of power I do have because I've seen it with my own eyes.' The Christchurch-raised popera star is urging Kiwis to support UNICEF's Tap Project from April 5 to 11.
For this campaign, restaurants around the country will request a donation for serving tap water to customers to raise money for irrigation projects in developing countries. The initiative was launched last year in New York, and New Zealand is the second and only other country after the US to get on board.
'I've seen how horrific the situation is. People are drinking from guinea worm-infested ponds and ingesting worms which come to the surface and cause open wounds,' Hayley says. 'Children are in a lot of pain and can't go to school. In our society, water is something we all take for granted but these people are drinking coffee-coloured, dirty water because they have no choice.'
Not all young stars today have such a strong sense of humanitarianism. Despite growing up in the public eye, Hayley has blossomed into an inspiring young role model and has learnt how to harness her fame to make a difference.
'When you're in the public eye, you do have a responsibility when people are watching what you do,' she says. 'It kind of means there's a bit more pressure on me to behave well but it's nice that I'm inspiring young children.
'I do have to be aware of my image but I never have to rein myself in. It's not much of an effort to keep my image up.' The clean-cut songstress is now based in London, where she owns a two-bedroom apartment. And it seems the adage is true - you can take the girl out of New Zealand, but you can't take the New Zealand out of the girl.
'It would be quite easy to be swept up by London life and all the craziness that goes along with it,' Hayley reflects.
'My Kiwi upbringing has ensured that I have stayed grounded. I'm close to my family and still stay in close contact with them, and I hang out with down-to-earth people too.
'I do enjoy the buzzes of London city, but I'm still a Kiwi girl at heart.' Socialising provides valuable respite from her relentless schedule, but down-time has not always been a priority. 'When I was younger, I was a little bit too focused on my career, But in the last few years I've found a really good balance and learnt you don't always need to do everything,' says Hayley, who is dating and describes herself as 'super picky' when it comes to boys.
'My sister's just started urn and is going to orientation week with toga parties. It all sounds like so much fun, but I don't feel like I've missed out on anything. I feel like I have been so lucky to be living such a rich life.'
