Devika Mathur
 Age: 27 "I'm very, very, very glad to be in Canada, for it is only here that I can actualize my potential!" Devika Mathur says she's been singing ever since she started to talk. "It's in my blood," she says. "My mum's a fabulous singer, so singing and performing is something which I've thankfully inherited." Devika says she's performed for charity, at small and large parties, at clubs, competitions "and even on the beach!" What does she plan to bring to the competition? "Spunk! Attitude! Spice and nice! An awesome combo of east and west!" Born in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), Devika immigrated to Canada with her husband in 2004. She lives with her extended families that are also her biggest fans. "I've been blessed with families that support me whole-heartedly and are hugely instrumental in the success I've had," she says. A clinical psychologist, Devika now works as a DJ for a weekly south Asian radio program in Toronto and also teaches a course in Bollywood music at York University. She couldn't live without her cell phone, loves The Simpsons and plays a mean game of Texas Hold'em. Devika says she "eats like a pig" and "can actually cook, too." Devika describes her style as "a combo of Whitney Houston and Norah Jones with a bit of Sheryl Crow and Shania Twain." The song title that best describes her? Dancing Queen.
Devika's fun facts: Which musical act would you most like to see in concert? Whitney Houston
What has been the biggest accomplishment of your life? Probably understanding and acknowledging that all I am or have is a gift from life and the one above. This said, not letting any small or great achievement sway my head and being grateful for it always is something I'm proud of and consider huge on my accomplishment list! What are you the most proud of? My heritage, cultural background and upbringing! (Hope I don't let mama down) Which item could you not live without? Cell phone! What's been the best day of your life? My wedding day, even though the wedding was late by four hours and we were "married" only at four am!!! If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be and why? My dad – I didn't get to spend too much time with him while he was alive and while growing up heard lots of things about him and think I'd get along superbly with him if I met him now! What do you think has gotten you this far in the competition? Spunk, personality. With decent singing of course! (I'm hoping!) What will it take for you to become the Canadian Idol? Hard work, practice practice practice, a little bit of luck and voter support of course! What has been the most challenging part of the competition so far? Keeping vocal chords from getting too sore and not letting my nerves get the better of me. Whose career path would you like to follow and why? Probably my husband's – he worked hard, made use of whatever opportunity came his way, even turned obstacles into opportunity. What part of the Canadian Idol experience has surprised you the most? It amazed me to find out HOW much talent one person can possibly have- there were MANY awesome singers and all of them hugely multi-faceted. What did you learn about yourself during the Top 100? Despite performing in front of hundreds of people, I managed to get nervous in front of four! What was your reaction when you made the Top 32? I bawled! But it still hasn't HIT me! Who has been the greatest inspiration of your life? My mom. Who has helped to make you the singer you are today? Mommy's genes and the line across my palm that I don't question! What song touches you the most? Why does it affect you so much? Hero by Mariah Carey. The lyrics are super inspiring and there's something about the way she's sung it that adds more meaning to the lyrics.
What do you do to keep your nerves in check during the competition? Breeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaatheeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! Talk to myself, calm my self down and control the racing mind because its thoughts that make one edgy! How has this competition changed you? Made me realize the importance of being prepared and responsible-always! Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Crap! Holy mother of god! |
