Rosita Vai
| Rosita Vai | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Rosita Vai |
| Born | 4 June 1981 |
| Origin | Wellington, New Zealand |
| Genres |
Pop R&B |
| Occupations | Singer |
| Instruments | Singing |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Sony BMG (2005–2007) |
| Associated acts | Ben Lummis, Matthew Saunoa |
| Website | Official Site |
Rosita Vai (born 4 June 1981) is a New Zealand R&B singer who rose to musical fame as the winner of the second season of New Zealand Idol in 2005. Prior to her win, Rosita managed to stay out of the 'bottom three' contestants for the entire competition. She also appeared on TV2's Showstoppers, and Pop's Ultimate Star, which featured various winners from New Zealand Idol and PopStars, however she was voted out in the second week of the competition.
After winning idol, entertainer Sir Howard Morrison made comments about Vai's large body size, saying it would affect her career and give the wrong image to her fans. Morrison and Vai reconciled on the TVNZ television show Close Up,[1] and the two performed a duet together at a live concert in 2006.[2]
Like NZ Idol season one winner Ben Lummis, Rosita is no longer signed to SonyBMG. She released an album titled Golden which made the Top 20 NZ Albums chart. She also won a Tui Award for 'Best Selling Single' for her #1 hit 'All I Ask' - her winners single for NZ Idol. She made a high-profile appearance at Out in the Square - Wellington's gay and lesbian fair as a special guest on 1 March 2008, and headlined the after-party alongside The Glamazons — a move that many believe set in motion Vai's 'gay icon' status.[3]
She is of Samoan ethnicity and performed at the opening ceremony of the 2007 Pacific Games, held in Apia, Samoa.[4] She also appeared as an actress in the 2012 Auckland Theatre Company production of Little Shop Of Horrors as well as the Auckland Theatre Company and PIPA collaboration 'Sinarella' starring alongside Pua Magasiva.
References
- ↑ Kiong, Errol (19 October 2005). "Sir Howard offers flowers but still doesn't say 'sorry'". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2006-10-23.
- ↑ "Rosita and Sir Howard wow Rotorua fans". The Daily Post. 6 February 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-23.
- ↑ Out in The Square - Wellington Gay and Lesbian Fair
- ↑ Fire, Dance and Song Bring in the Games from the Official Website to the 2007 Pacific Games