Diego Alvarez
 Age: 21 "Music is about connecting with people, sharing an experience and knowing it will stay with them long after they've forgotten about me." Diego Alvarez dreams of stardom began when he was three. "I would run around the house singing and dancing to Michael Jackson's Bad," he says. "I would totally try to moonwalk, spin around and scream 'hee-hee.'" Born in Colombia, Diego immigrated to Canada on his own at the age of 17. "There were those who were certain I wouldn't make it two months without my family to support me," he says. "But it's been three years and I'm still here." Before moving to Canada in 2002, Diego won the "Festival del Bolero" competition that was broadcast throughout Colombia. He grew up listening to the music of Latin American diva Selena who had a huge impact on his life. "I find inspiration in her courage and genuine caring for her fans," he says. "I can honestly say I wouldn't have tried so hard or come so far as a performer if it wasn't for her." Diego, who also plays guitar and piano, now studies Music at Vanier College in Saint Laurent. He loves his adopted hometown of Montreal. "For every community and every individual there's a place to fit in, to feel comfortable and at home," he says. Diego is a huge Harry Potter fan, could not live without his cell phone, and loves The Darkness and Margaret Cho. The song title that best describes him? Abba's I Have a Dream, he says.
Diego's fun facts: Which musical act would you most like to see in concert? Abba
What has been the biggest accomplishment of your life? Probably leaving Colombia at 17 and making it on my own in Canada. There were those who were certain I wouldn't make it two months without my family to support me, but it's been 3 years and I'm still here. What are you the most proud of? After a rocky start as a new Canadian citizen, it would definitely have to be going back to college. Which item could you not live without? My cell phone. My friends and family are so important to me, and that's the only number a lot of them have. I got disconnected for a month once, and I felt so isolated that I went into a small depression. What's been the best day of your life? Probably the day I made it to Toronto in the top 100. Before that day, the day I saw my mom again for the first time since I came to Canada, nearly two years later. If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be and why? Selena Quintanilla, because she had such a profound impact on the Latino community, and I truly believe she would have influenced today's music more if she'd been given a chance. I find inspiration in her courage and genuine caring for her fans and admirers. I definitely think the support of my friends, my family, and my fellow competitors. Especially my fellow competitors. When I needed support the most, or when I was doubting myself, they were always there to tell me it would be okay, that this was my dream, and that no matter what happened I had to have fun. What will it take for you to become the Canadian Idol? For me to take full advantage of the opportunity I've been given, to make use of my experiences on stage and in front of a crowd, and overcome my fear of failing after coming so far. Whose career path would you like to follow and why? Probably Celine Dion. I love how she started from such humble beginnings with a very small but extremely loyal fan base, and now she's become one of the most recognizable voices in the world with a huge international following. What part of the Canadian Idol experience has surprised you the most? I was honestly afraid there would be more inter-personal competition, but by the time we got to the last 48 there was such a feeling of family and camaraderie that people were crying when the eliminations were handed out. What did you learn about yourself during the Top 100? That I'm able to perform under more extreme circumstances and pressure than I thought I could withstand. I'm also a little disappointed that my concentration isn't as good as I thought it was. What was your reaction when you made the Top 32? I literally screamed my lungs out and lost my voice instantly. It was a happy moment, but I won't ever do that again! I think my mom is the most inspirational person in my life because of the amount of sacrificing she did for her family and the faith she put in me. I wouldn't have made it this far without her constant pushing for me to be better than I thought I was. Who has helped to make you the singer you are today? I think the artist Selena influenced my style more than any of my teachers. Her style was so exciting and different than mine, which was classical at the time, that I wanted to be a popular artist instead of the member of a choir. There was a lot of sassy attitude, confidence, and traditional culture to her music and I fell in love with it instantly. I can honestly say I wouldn't have tried so hard or come so far to become a performer if it hadn't been for her. What song touches you the most? Why does it affect you so much? Celine Dion's "S'il suiffisait d'aimer." When my mother first told me I had to leave and go by myself to Canada I closed myself in my bedroom and turned on the television. This song was playing on the local music television channel, and even though I didn't understand the words the beauty of the song comforted me. Okay, so I cried my eyes out, but it was comforting at the same time What do you do to keep your nerves in check during the competition? I do yoga breathing exercises and keep myself hydrated. How has this competition changed you? It's given me more experience when it comes to performing in front of people and under pressure. It made me explore different styles of music I never would have tried before, and made me appreciate artists and genres I never really paid attention to. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? "Okay, don't get mad, but..." |
