SCRAWNY TO BRAWNY

We hope you enjoyed our debut feature interview write-up with Manhunt Singapore 2012 Top 20 Finalist, Muhammad Siddiq Bin Durimi. It was our very first for this ManSA blog! So let’s keep the ball rolling and introduce you to our second interviewee, Contestant No. 6, Muhammad Imam Shah, or better known as “Emy” to his friends, family and fans.

With his present height of 1.79m and 74kg muscular body frame, one would never have mentally linked this 23 year old Hilton Hotel fitness instructor to the image of a 49kg scrawny kid! But we kid you not. That was exactly who Emy used to be, until a pivotal moment propelled him to shape himself up into who he is today!

And now, as pointed out by Beam Artist Management’s official Manhunt Singapore website, “inspired by the titles won by his mother in her youth in several beauty pageants, it is no wonder Emy (with such good genes) has decided to enter this year’s competition to test his own mettle.”

Congratulations on making it to the Top 20 in Manhunt Singapore 2012! What would you like to say to your fans for their support and Facebook “Likes” that helped you make it to the finals?

I am truly humbled by it. I mean, the Facebook "Likes" on the photo that helped me to make it to the final 20 were mostly from people across our border. Therefore, I am truly thankful and humbled by all the support, in and outside the country.

In this present day and age, with the gradual acceptance and integration of the GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) community into our society, how do you personally feel about having GLBT fans amongst your fans and supporters?

With acceptance, comes a mutual respect and understanding. And in modern time such as these, it can be likened to living in a multi-racial society. In Singapore, we’ve lived amongst numerous races and religions, and we as an unbiased society have learnt to accept people for our similarities and differences. As such I feel that all of my (and Manhunt) fans are to be appreciated equally, regardless of who they are, or their sexual preferences.

I’m sure your fans and supporters would definitely like to get to know you a little better on a more personal level. Can you share with us some of your favourite things?

i) What do you enjoy doing most in your spare time (and no, gym doesn’t count, ha ha ha…)?
In my spare time, I like to write. Whether be it a story, a script, or just on a piece of paper which might probably end up in a trashcan. I find it very peaceful, because most of the time, people write the things they cannot say. And for me, writing is more than just telling a story. It is more than just words. It is a discovery of how well the words work together, and how enjoyable it is to use words in unusual ways to tell a story.

ii) Any fave TV shows?
“Californication” and “Entourage”. Two of the most well written shows.

Emy's personal DVD collection which includes, of course, his favourite show "Entourage"!!!

iii) Any fave movies?

“Casanova”. Despite the accusation of being the world most notorious lover, the story and journey of the legendary Giacomo Casanova is truly inspirational. He was a philosopher who devoted his life to the perfection of experience. He was what led me to my love for writing.

Other than that, my other fave movies would include “Indecent Proposal”, “Blow”, “Moulin Rouge”, “The Shawshank Redemption”, and so on. These movies appeal to me as they are very descriptive, well performed and well written.

iv) What are you currently playing on your iPod/playlist?
I'm actually an old-fashioned kind of guy. I enjoy oldies songs from the 80's, like “Hello” by Lionel Richie and “Careless Whisper” by George Michael.

v) Any fave recipes or food? Would you say you’re a good cook?
I enjoy Italian dishes. Especially Turkey Bacon Carbonara (in fettuccine). And of course, I love my mother's cooking. I'd say I am an "okay" cook. I sometimes helped my mum in the kitchen to cook some Malay dishes.

vi) What are some of your fave hangouts?

No specific location. It can be anywhere as long as I am in the company of my good friends.

vii) Any fave gadgets? What is it about this gadget/s that appeals to you?
My BlackBerry® smartphone. It has a personal organizer that provides me with the tools I need to stay on-time, in touch, and on track.

viii) Could you share with us a lesser-known interesting fact about yourself?

I think the lesser-known interesting fact about me is that I'm a very complicated person.  Sometimes I know who I am; sometimes I don't. Therefore, anybody who tries to tell you exactly who I am, it means they don't know me at all.

You look kinda familiar. Might we have seen you anywhere before?

I was one of the contestants in “Anugerah Skrin 2006” organized by MediaCorp Suria. Being one of the youngest contestants at the age of 17, to make it to the Top 30 with some of the most talented actors and actresses today, and being one of the Top 15 male finalists, was truly a privilege.I also did some theatre acting, commercial and tele-film in Malaysia, and few small roles in several TV dramas like “Projek Showcase” on Suria.

Emy’s journey in Anugerah Skrin 2006

Left Photo: Emy’s mother (sitting, right) with fellow acting mate Zaidi Ibrahim (standing, right) at the “Malay Drama Performer’s Workshop” back in 1985, during her earlier years in acting, before Emy was born
Right Photo: Under the tutelage and direction of Zaidi Ibrahim, and following in his mother’s footsteps, Emy gets bitten by the acting bug too back in March 2012. In Emy’s own words, it was truly an honour to be in his mentorship

Already in the limelight at the tender age of 5, Emy’s first ever tele-film with one of Malaysia legend, the late M. Rajoli

What made you decide to take part in Manhunt Singapore 2012?
Apart from talking about this competition for years with my best friend, an accidental discovery of a photo of my mother (Suria Pesta Perdana Best Supporting Actress nominee Mariana Yati) winning a pageant was what spurred me on to take part in Manhunt Singapore 2012.

The photo that Emy discovered of his mother winning the Ratu Mawar Puteh pageant that spurred him on to take part in Manhunt Singapore 2012

Before enrolling in this competition, what was your impression of Manhunt Singapore 2012 like? Now that you’re a finalist, has that impression changed?
To me personally, Manhunt is one of the most prestigious male competitions in the world. It is a celebration of good male physique. Obviously being a skinny 49kg, this competition was only a mere fantasy. Now that I'm a finalist alongside all these other great contestants, it is no longer a fantasy, but a dream came true. And I realized that it isn't just about good physique, but good character and personality as well.

You’ve received numerous compliments on Facebook, praising your well-toned physique in the Manhunt Singapore 2012 photo shoots. Were you always this hunky since young? If not, what inspired you to build up your physique? How did you do it?

As I mentioned, I was only 49kg, standing at 1.79m. I was called "the tall scrawny kid" by my peers. That didn't bother me back then, as I felt good about myself from within. But it was this one fateful night, three years ago, when I was at a club with a couple of my friends, and I met this beautiful long-haired brunette in a fuchsia dress, who looked at me, dismissed me off by saying, "Wow, you're so skinny!" and then walked off! That was the turning point in my life. It was what triggered me to make a change in my life.

Like many beginners, I attempted to hit the gym without much knowledge. But after a few months of going to the gym and making a fool out of myself, I slowly started learning the form and techniques from many gym goers, bodybuilders, and fitness trainers. As I have learnt, weight training, cardio, diet, and rest make up the four core factors, of equal weightage (25% each) and importance, to get the ideal figure that you desire. Following these 4 steps was what I have done for the past three years.

There is often the impression that good looking individuals tend to shun or discriminate against others who may not be as aesthetically pleasing in looks and physique. To what extent would you agree with this statement? What is your personal stance on this issue?
I completely disagree with the statement. I personally believe people should be treated equally regardless of their aesthetics. I don't have the right to judge or shun anybody. I was brought up to treat people the way I would like to be treated, and that is with respect and dignity.

Now who doesn't love a man in uniform? Check out Emy in his Singapore Civil Defence Forice (SCDF) days

On the Miss Universe and Miss World annual competitions, emphasis is often placed on promoting world peace and helping the needy who are facing issues such as hunger, poverty and sickness. If given the choice to make a difference, what social cause would you want to champion? Why?
The cause I’d want to champion is helping the people on the streets. We are living in one of the richest country in the world, yet we still have people who are sleeping and begging on the streets.

Another worthy cause that I feel should deserve our attention is the global hunger issue. Even here within our country, there are people who are living in their homes with nothing to eat, or eating small amount of rice and eggs every day, or maybe once a day because they can't afford to buy a proper meal. But most of these people can't be seen because most of us are spending most of our time helping people outside of this country.

On a closing note, were you surprised when you first learnt of this Manhunt Singapore Alumni group and were invited to join it in Facebook? How do you think the group is working out so far? Do you have any suggestion on how we can make both the alumni group as well as this blog better in time to come?
Yes, I was surpised when I was invited to the group, especially when I see some of the big names in it. In my honest opinion, this group has been useful for all of us to keep in touch and updated with one another, for both past and present Manhunt contestants.

More to come your way very, very soon, keep following our ManSA blog for our interviews with 18 more finalists as they share their personal stories and let you get to better know the men beneath the hot, hunky facade!

Photos Credit:
Beam Artistes (http://www.beam.com.sg/)
Milk Photographie (http://www.milkphotographie.com/index.php),
Marcus Mok Photography (http://www.marcusart.net/)
and Emy's Personal Photos