Yuku free message boards

1. Do you prefer Starbucks or Tim Hortons?
I like Timmy's.

2. Given a choice, who would you most like to meet?
Bob Dylan.

3. What is your favourite flavour of ice cream?
Chocolate, but it has to be Haagen Dazs.

4. What was your first job?
I was a hostess at Boston Pizza.

5. What was the first cd you ever bought?
Tom Waits.

6. What's your favourite Fraser Valley restaurant?
My Aunt Ulla's. She is the best cook!

7. How would you describe yourself using only three words?
Creative, Extreme, Adventurous.

8. What was the last book you read, or are presently reading?
Life of Pi

9. If you could choose a pet, what would it be, cat, dog, fish, etc.?
It would depend on the personality, not on the type of animal.

10. What is your nickname?
Rae J.

11. If you could be a cartoon character, who would you be?
A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, the purple one!

12. What super hero power would you want to have?
Flying, I'd want to be able to fly.

13. If you had a free day, what would you do?
I would rent the DVD of the Deadwood series, sit on the couch in my pajamas and eat cereal.

14. If they made a movie about your life, who would play you?
Feist ( A Juno award winning singer).

15. What outdoor activity do you enjoy? (skiing, swimming etc.)
I love to snowboard.

16. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Paris.

17. Which event are you most likely to attend, Agrifair, Airshow, Folk Music Festival or Berrybeat Festival?
I'd go to the Mission Folk Music Festival. I love the music and a long time ago, Francis Xavier let me sing on stage.

18. What is the last film you watched?
We just went out and saw Knocked Up.

19. Do you have any superstitions?
None, I'm not superstitious.

20. Who inspires you?
Van Morrison.

Carly's confidence stronger than ever

Aug 24 2007

For the first time, Mission singing sensation Carly Rae Jepsen believes she actually has a shot at winning Canadian Idol.

The 21-year-old waitress made the top four finalists on Tuesday night.

"It's unreal," she said in her chirpy voice Friday morning, back home for Carly Rae Day and a concert in Mission Saturday between 11 a.m. and noon at Fraser River Heritage Park.

"Everyday it's becoming more and more real that people watch the show."

What she finds even harder to come to grips with is her new-found celebrity status and people recognizing her in the street.

"It's a bit of a shocker when people recognize me. I'm sure it can't last long!"

What also amazes her is the support she has across Canada.

"It's probably the most amazing thing I've witnessed in my life. People staying up late at night to vote and putting in that effort," she said.

"I wish I could go around to each one of them and tell them how wonderful they've made my life."

But Jepsen is no dreamer.

She knows she could be the one packing her bags and flying home next week.

"Tuesday night is like lottery night," she said.

"You go out there and it's out of your control, but whatever the public decides Canada can't go wrong at this stage. I'm happy to be around and love being involved in this."

Of all the big-name performers that have worked with the Idols so far, Jepsen said grammy winner and the first American Idol Kelly Clarkson is one of her favourites.

"She is unbelievably talented and she is very down to earth," said Jepsen, admitting despite her best attempts she still gets star-struck.

As for being the only girl left in the competition, Jepsen is not bothered.

"They gang up on me!" she jokes, referring to Brian Melo, Jaydee Bixby and Dwight D'eon.

"No, the boys are sweet and they're adorable and help me carry the bags. We get along really well."

Jepsen was shocked when Abbotsford contestant Greg Neufeld was eliminated a couple of weeks ago. She was in the bottom three with him.

"We were all very shocked. I was especially shocked. I thought that was the night I would go home."

Next week, when the Idols work with music legend Paul Anka, Jepsen promises viewers will see something a little different from her performance - a playful song complimented by a soulful ballad "that means a lot to me."

"I always like to deliver something a little different."

The nerves still get to Jepsen at times. Some nights she is "as cool as a cucumber and I completely enjoy myself."

On others, "It will hit me how badly I do want to do well."

Regardless of whether she advances to the top three and goes on to win, Jepsen is determined to make a solid career for herself.

"I think the real test comes when it's [the competition] is over," she said.

"It's up to each individual to run with it the best they can. There's never been a question about what I wanted to do. This is the first year of my life I thought it might be possible."

Facing the judges each night in front of a live studio audience and millions of viewers across Canada has thickened Jepsen's skin. She can handle any criticism when it comes her way, which is a change from when she burst into tears on stage at the beginning.

"That's the most embarrassing thing, but I think well, I've already embarrassed myself so it took the pressure off," she said, admitting she has definitely changed since her journey on the show began.

Jepsen credits her family, who she hasn't seen in two months, for keeping her grounded and keeps in touch with them as often as possible.

She is especially proud of her little sister Katie, 15, for her support.

Even now, when she knows she has a good chance of advancing in the competition, Jepsen still pinches herself to make sure it's real.

"There have been times, when I'm sitting alone for a minute and I say, Carly Rae, can you believe what a twist your life has taken? I can't believe that."