June 27, 2011 | By: Pov M. Xyooj, Hmong TV Network

FRESNO, CA -- On Saturday June 27th, Hmong Student Association (HmSA) at Fresno State held their 3rd annual Hmong Idol at Fresno State's Satellite Student Union. Outside the building over 100 individuals from all ages patiently waited for the doors to open.

Kathy Vue and Bao Xiong were the co-coordinators for this year's Hmong Idol. The MC were Xeng Xai Xiong and Kou Xiong.

There were seven contestants in the competition: Doua Her (Fresno, CA); Stacy Her (Fresno, CA); Pong Vang (St. Paul, MN); Julie Vang (Sacramento, CA); Kia Xiong (Marysville, CA);  Chue Zheng Cha (Porterville, CA); and Koua Vang (Fresno, CA). Eight contestants were scheduled to compete but one was not able to make it, leaving a total of seven.

The three judges were: Npis Thoj, Sounders' base player; Cher Peek Lis, a film director and music video producer; and Koom Txwj Xyooj, Stone Hearts' music and lyric writer.

The competition consists of three rounds. For the first round the contestants had to sing an R&B song of their choice. The second round they had to sing an Alternative Rock song of their choice. And the last round they had to sing a Hmong song which was chosen by HmSA's Hmong Idol Committee. As each round progressed, two contestants were eliminated leaving the third round with only three contestants.

The Hmong song which the committee picked for the final three contestants to sing was Hlub Tsis Yooj Yim sung by the band Unique 3.

The three finalists were Stacy Her, Pong Vang, and Julie Vang. After the judges casted their votes, the winner for the title of Hmong Idol 2011 was Julie Vang. Pong Vang was the 1st runner up.
After the event Hmong Idol winner, Julie Vang, stated that "it's been an honor to perform in front of so many people who support music [and] who have a passion for music." She adds that everyone who competed was a winner and she was honored to have participated in the event.

 

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