Describe yourself in three words.

Weird. Happy. Hilarious!

Little Voice spends her time impersonating divas like Shirley Bassey and Marilyn Monroe. So who’s your favorite diva?

My favorite diva is definitely Broadway legend, Bernadette Peters. In fact, she was the first diva I learnt to impersonate! 

Did you encounter any challenges while rehearsing for The Rise & Fall of Little Voice?

Plenty! It's vocally, physically and emotionally taxing. Little Voice doesn't say much, but a lot comes through her physicality, body language and facial expressions. The vocal challenge of it would be the big cabaret scene where I have to change my vocal placements every two seconds to impersonate different divas back to back!

You’ve been acting since you were six. Do you ever get stage fright?

I definitely get nervous! But it's a good thing, because you need that adrenaline to drive you and keep you on your toes. Over the years, I've learnt to use my nerves instead of letting them take control of me.

What’s been your most memorable performance thus far?

I've been very privileged to be able to perform alongside accomplished Broadway performers, Brad Little and Shoshana Bean, last year in The Phantom Unmasked at the Marina Bay Sands Theatre. Brad Little was the Phantom in Broadway's Phantom of the Opera, and Shoshana Bean played Elphaba in Wicked. It was surreal working with these big Broadway stars—I got to sing a couple of numbers with them and that was pretty cool! 

What about your favorite West End play of all time?

I only managed to catch a couple of shows during a short three-day trip in London this year, but Matilda was really amazing! I've seen a lot more shows on Broadway as I've been to New York probably about six times. I'd say my favorite Broadway show would be A Little Night Music—it was so good that I had to watch it twice. And I got to see Bernadette Peters perform live in front of my very eyes!

What other stage projects do you have lined up for 2014?

The Rise & Fall of Little Voice will be my last project in Singapore as I will be going to grad school in August. I've been accepted into The Boston Conservatory's Masters of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre program with a scholarship, so I'll be moving to Boston this fall! 

Mina Kaye will be starring in The Rise & Fall of Little Voice at the Drama Centre Theatre from May 2 to 18. 

What do you enjoy most about MMA?

I enjoy the fact that it’s really non-stop action. You’re always thinking about your next move, whether you’re striking or whether you’re on the ground.

What’s your training regime like?

I train four hours a day, five days a week with my teammates and world-champion instructors. I also try to fit in a gym or CrossCore session over the weekend.

Do you think that the MMA scene in Singapore is growing?

People used to have the misconception that MMA is a violent sport—that it’s all about beating people up. However, they’re now more open-minded, and realize that MMA is actually a great combination of self-defence and keeping fit. The MMA base in Singapore is definitely growing rapidly—more and more housewives are picking up the sport these days!

You’ll be battling against Malaysia’s Raymond Tan. Are you confident of your prospects? 

I treat each bout like an exam—it’s not so much about the rival, but more about assessing myself. I’m not that nervous, but neither am I overconfident—I believe in the hard work I’ve put in, and what I’ve been trained to do. I tore my ligament in 2012 and it took six to seven months for me to recover—it was definitely a tough road. However, I’m lucky to have a team that motivates and pushes me. I’m out there to prove to people that I’m stronger and better this time.

Everyone’s talking about Ben Askren vs Bakhtiyar Abbaso—who do you think will emerge tops?

It’ll be a tough fight, but I think Ben Askren will emerge triumphant. He’s a top-notch, high-level fighter who’s world champ material.

All in all, what can fans expect at ONE FC: HONOR & GLORY?

I think the event’s going to be really exciting and explosive. I’m sure that fans will be surprised by the huge improvements I’ve made as well! 

Radeem will be competing at the upcoming ONE FC: Honor & Glory on May 30 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. 

You guys have had tremendous success together as a group—why the decision to part ways after 20 years?

Gordon: Every good thing has its season.

KK: Exit while we are still enjoying it and not try to outdo our "best before" date. 

Joe: We’ve had 20 good years. We’d like to say thank you to our fans while we’re still able to stand and remember lyrics.

What do you guys enjoy most about performing?

Joe: The audience’s reaction. We can feel when they’re having a good time.

Mike: Seeing an audience member perk up and realize that we are actually singing in 'Mandaringlish’…

What has been the highlight of your entertainment careers?

Joe: I personally enjoyed that moment when Loretta Alabons and Douglas O announced Budak Pantai’s name as the winner of the Rollin’ Good Times’ Beach Boys contest on TV in 1994. As a band, our fondest memories have got to be the post-concert, meet-the-fans sessions. They make all our effort on stage—and indeed our journey as a band—so meaningful.

Mike: Walking by a Japanese bar while in Yokohama, hearing a song on the speakers, liking it, buying the CD and making an act out of it.

Gordon: Chicken rice.

Danny: Driving up the Istana front entrance to have breakfast with president Nathan. We had performed for him at a surprise birthday party organized by his staff, and he invited us back for breakfast! We had curry puffs and chatted—it was a very coffee shop experience
.

KK: That there always isn't a plan. There's always a spanner thrown into the mix when we are on stage, and some songs just come out of nowhere.

What about the lowest point?

Joe: We would always know when we gave a bad show, and it made us feel lousy that we didn’t give our best.

Mike: Being mistaken for experts in A cappella.

How have you guys stayed firm friends for the past 20 years without any major fallouts—what’s your secret?

Joe: It helps that we remind ourselves that we all want the same thing, but in different ways. Oh, and food, lots of food. It prevents us from running into disagreements.

Mike: We check our sharp objects at the front door. Plus, not hoping that this is a ticket to riches does water down a lot of expectations.

What’s next for you guys after Budak Pantai?

Joe: Music will always be a key part of my life. Personally, I have lined up concert events to raise funds for charity, mostly with my other musician friends. I wish to use my voice to give back to society while I still can hold my note. Performing with a respirator doesn’t look comfortable.

Mike: For me, it is to finally memorize the Chinese dynasties.

KK: Shy... cannot say...

Gordon: Spend time with the missus. Go on a romantic trip to Myanmar.

Danny: Plan for "The Final Countdown 2: Revenge of the Fallen". Oh, is that title taken already?

What should fans expect at “Budak Pantai—The Final Countdown”?

Mike: Er....you expecting something?

Gordon: No one expects the Spanish Inquisition.

Danny: All the fancy footwork, pyrotechnics and stunning stage sets that you would have come to expect from a Budak concert.

KK: Expect some of our favorite songs and well, we’ll figure the rest out when we get on stage.

Joe: We have 130 songs in our repertoire, but we have chosen 40 that we know our fans will like. We have one or two surprises, not too many because we want people to remember Budak Pantai for who we are—five ordinary guys who sing from our hearts to put a smile on the faces of people. You can expect another night of feel-good, made-in-Singapore entertainment, but it will also be an emotional one.

Catch the band's swan song at Budak Pantai: The Final Countdown, which will be staged at the Esplanade Concert Hall on May 23 and 24.