Murtzcellanious: Murtz Jaffer Talks To Canadian Idol Runner-Up Theresa Sokyrka

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I think that my Canadian Idol allegiance was made pretty clear early into the last season of the show. I made no bones about the fact that I was pulling for Theresa Sokyrka and while I often wavered between her and Jacob Hoggard, it was clear that I was certainly in their camp.

When Inside Pulse was given the opportunity to interview the Saskatchewan starlet, I jumped at the chance. As you will soon find out, she is just as sweet as she was on TV and I have no doubt that is why she was so successful.

Murtz Jaffer: What time is it over there (Saskatchewan)?

Theresa Sokyrka: 3?

MJ: Yeah, you guys are always like an hour behind us (in Toronto).

TS: (*Laughs*)

MJ: Can you tell me about the post Canadian Idol lifestyle and how things have been for you since the show ended?

TS: It’s been pretty hectic. Lots of phone calls and appearances. Things like that. Lots of fun.

MJ: Are you still being recognized a lot in Saskatchewan?

TS: Yeah in Saskatoon and small-town Saskatchewan… absolutely.

MJ: And you just recently did a show in Sarnia, how did that go?

TS: It was good. It was just a tiny show. I only stayed for about 15 minutes and Jacob was there as well.

MJ: Are you working on your new album currently?

TS: I will be, hopefully by the end of December. I am going to Egypt, actually I am going to Trenton at the Canadian military base there (because it is for the Canadian military to sing for the peacekeepers in Egypt and Israel). So I’ll be in Egypt for four days and Israel for four days.

MJ: So this is all in December?

TS: Yeah, and then I’ll be working on the album hopefully by the 28th of December and all through out January.

MJ: How’s the song-writing going? Is it a lot of your own original material?

TS: For this album, I really want to concentrate on making an album that my fans want to buy. So I am not going to do all originals, there’s going to be about four originals, four standards and four Idol tunes probably.

MJ: Do you think that it is going to be more of a folk album or more jazzy? (Gearhead_Sokie)

TS: It will have all those aspects in it actually. I think it will be a pretty eclectic album (*laughs*).

MJ: Do you think that your fans make a difference in how you perform and in your success? (got_rice)

TS: Oh… absolutely! I’ve always read artists thanking their fans in their CD covers and people thanking their fans at big awards shows…

MJ: I always thought that was kind of cheesy…

TS: I always thought it was too but their energy is something that you cannot replicate anywhere. It’s just the most amazing feeling to feel so many people that are just behind you for whoever you are or whatever music you want to make. They’re so supportive and it definitely makes a huge difference.

MJ: What’s the nicest thing a fan has ever done for you and also what is the nicest thing you have ever done for a fan? (Brash)

TS: Well there’s been a lot of really awesome things that my fans have done but there is one in particular that I remember. Two really fantastic fans of mine, Emily and Carlie are their names….

MJ: Yeah, they made your website right?

TS: Yeah they made my website and they made me this scrapbook that was… This was honestly the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for me. They made me a scrapbook and every week they would come to the show and they would give me a new page for the scrapbook. It was the most beautiful scrapbook ever!

MJ: I’ve actually seen them. She’s the one that you posed for that photo with where you have your hand on your chin right?

TS: Yeah, yeah… that’s totally her! That’s one of them anyway. Carly and Emily, they’re so great. They would give me a new page every week, never failed. They would always be there with a new page for the scrapbook.

MJ: So I guess when you lost, was the page like black?

TS: No no… just a picture of me hugging Kalan.

MJ: What’s the nicest thing that you have ever done for a fan?

TS: Um… I wrote a letter to this one woman who is sick actually, she’s got cancer and she had written a letter to one of my friends. I think that is how it had worked out. She had written a letter to one of my friends and she was on the website and they would talk on the forums and everything and they actually said how inspiring it was to see me on TV and things like that. I wrote her a letter, just out of the blue, wrote her a letter. She never contacted me directly but I got her address from my friend and actually wrote her a letter and expressed how much I appreciated her support and how I wanted her to keep fighting.

MJ: Do you ever think that that’s kind of weird? Not in the bad sense but I mean you’re just a girl from Saskatchewan and now all of a sudden you’re…

TS: Well I know that there have been a lot of different situations in my life where I have felt inspired by people and from a homeless person to a rich person, you can be inspired by anybody and I think that it’s pretty courageous for people to express that to you in those ways. It blows me away… and I have always made a point of getting back to my fans and making sure that they realize how much I appreciate their support.

MJ: You seem to always put a positive spin on things, what is your secret to your positive attitude and is there anything in the world that can make Theresa Sokyrka upset? (Heather)

TS: Littering! Littering gets me going. When people litter, I can’t stand it!

MJ: But it’s this constant positivity! I mean everytime I see you it’s this big smile…

TS: Ohhhhhhhh… I have been really lucky in my life and I have a lot of wonderful people surrounding me. I think that I have been lucky enough to learn a lot from people that have gone through really difficult situations in their life. A lot of my songs are written about other people and their struggles in life. I’ve just been really blessed to have people close to me that have gone through really difficult situations that kind of tell me and shield me and help me. I am a really blessed person. There’s no reason for me not to be positive.

MJ: What is one unknown fact about you? (Heather)

TS: Um…

MJ: Vegetarian doesn’t count, because everyone knows that now.

TS: (*Laughs*) What is one unknown fact? I am a big animal lover?

MJ: No, Jaco… we know that already too! It has to be something that I don’t know! That’s the litmus test.

TS: Oh my gosh…

MJ: Are you secretly blonde?

TS: (*Laughs*) No! I don’t know anything. (Long pause). I don’t play the mandolin! They made me play the mandolin.

MJ: Oh in that Gordon Lightfoot episode?

TS: Yeah, I wanted to play the guitar but they let Jacob and Jason do it instead (*laughs*).

MJ: How did they decide on who plays what?

TS: Well, it’s like your first instrument and then I was going to play violin (that was my first instrument) but Kalan’s first instrument was violin.

MJ: So that (mandolin) wasn’t the first instrument that you played?

TS: Well they just said that there is a mandolin part in it and I said ‘well it’s the same fingering as the violin so I might as well play it.’

MJ: That’s interesting because I thought you guys just picked but I guess they wanted you to pick the first one that you ever played.

TS: It’s just the one that you can play. Like Kalan’s an amazing violinist. Shane didn’t play bass either, but he got hooked into playing bass. We were all musicians so we were all okay with that, although I was playing the mandolin. I just didn’t have a very good part! (*laughs*)

MJ: Is that the main difference that you see between Canadian Idol and American Idol? I find that there is a lot more of a focus on Canadiana and a lot more of a focus on you guys being musicians than let’s say the mass appeal of Clay Aiken or Ruben or Kelly.

TS: Totally! I think that the biggest thing that sold Canadian Idol this year was uniqueness and how everybody was really firm on who they are. I think that in any different situation in life you always want to surround yourself with… I mean you don’t want to hang out with someone exactly like you. You don’t make groups around people that are exactly like you. You want a bit of uniqueness and differences. I think that is one of the biggest successes of Canadian Idol this year.

MJ: Was there any added pressure on you because you were a female. I know that we obviously had Ryan Malcolm first.

TS: You know I remember having a talk with Elena (Juatco) after Manoah Hartmann had left and…

MJ: Because I am just picturing at the end when it was just you and these guys…

TS: Yeah, it was hard. I won’t lie to you. It was hard. When Elena left, that was a really really hard phase because you know she was just a tiny bit of estrogen (*laughs*) and you need a balance in your life. There was pressure on me and Elena and any of the girls I think, because we were there in the studio (when the show was being filmed obviously) and when the boys would come out and I can’t tell you how loud teenage girls can scream. I just CANNOT TELL YOU! They are so incredible, I don’t know how they don’t lose their voices. It was tough for the girls. It was. There was just so much support for Kalan and Jacob and Jason and Shane and like everybody.

MJ And I guess it’s weird because here you are trying to be the first female Canadian Idol and you’re going to area after area where all these girls are screaming for Kalan. Do you ever feel like asking where your female support is and was (since you are supposed to be the female representative)?

TS: Totally. It was tough, I won’t lie to you. It was a good group of boys. I couldn’t ask for a better group of boys.

MJ: And I am sure that the group performances didn’t hurt either when you were like the focus because everyone was singing around you?

TS: (*Laughs*) Yeah, those were pretty funny.

MJ: Since you recorded a duet with Kalan for his CD, do you have any intention of writing an original song with Kalan (duet), and recording that on your CD? (Grace)

TS: I am not sure if BMG will contractually allow him to do that.

MJ: Yeah, because you are going to have to go with a separate management team right?

TS: Yeah so I don’t think so. I would really love it though.

MJ: How did it work with Kalan though, I guess you were with BMG at the time?

TS: Well I wasn’t with BMG at any time, they hired me as a side artist. I wasn’t under their contract.

MJ: Oh, so it was sort of like an independent contract before Kalan’s album?

TS: Right, right.

MJ: You used to be involved in drama, do you still act and do you think that experience helped in the way that you sing songs? (Gordon)

TS: Performance-wise, I think that music theatre really helped me, but I am a horrible actor. (*laughs*) I really am! I am terrible at it. I am not very good at being somebody else. It’s hard. Actually my boyfriend’s an actor and we always talk about things like that. I have always been really amazed at how he can be a character.

MJ: Your boyfriend is from Saskatchewan?

TS: He’s from Red Deer actually.

MJ: Is it ever tough? I mean I am a guy, and if I am with this really famous girl I would totally feel insecure. Has that been kind of difficult?

TS: I can’t imagine how tough it would be on him. In a way it’s kind of his dream too. He has been nothing but supportive. He is working as my tour manager now and taken time off of acting and taken time off of his business opportunities to just be there for me so it’s really amazing. You realize that the person really loves you when they are willing to stick it out with you.

MJ: Have you ever had one of those situations where you’re like eating dinner and somebody just comes up and sticks a camera in your face in the middle of spaghetti?

TS: Um… there have been a few.

MJ: See, I am trying to break down your positivity!

TS: That doesn’t really bother me. When people catch me off-guard, that doesn’t bother me. That actually makes me more excited. They actually have the guts to come up to me. Like I know how much it takes to come up to someone that you know and have watched. Like I haven’t met a whole bunch of people and I don’t feel starstruck when I run into people, but some people do…

MJ: I am just shocked because I am sure you get it a lot and it never gets annoying to you?

TS: No, not really. When there is a big crowd of people, sometimes when I am feeling grabbed (like when people are grabbing me), I get a little freaked out. That’s the only situation and there are not a lot of situations where I get like mobbed by people. I don’t think I have ever been in a situation on my own where there have been people that come and mob me. (*laughs*) No… definitely not! Maybe when that happens, that might be a problem.

MJ: I have to ask this next question because I think it is pretty funny. I’ll read it exactly the way it was sent to us.

Theresa.. WHY are you so friggen awesome? Not just your music, but the kind of person you are. Do you think it has something to do with how you were raised by your parents… or genetics.. or something in your soul or spirit? (Gensoul)

TS: Oh! That is such a nice thing to say to somebody. I really do have fantastic parents and they definitely are a big part in that. My friends are really fantastic too. I have always looked into being a better person and I’ve always really concentrated on that and tried to surround myself with really fantastic people. People that care and people that aren’t just about business. A perfect example would be who I am hiring to do my album. I could get some big producer to come and do it somehow or something but I chose my very close friend Terri to do it for me. She will produce and engineer the album, and that is who I am. I really want to help people as well. I don’t just want to get what I can get out of it.

MJ: Was your label cool with you hiring a friend to do it?

TS: I don’t have a label. That’s the thing.

MJ: So how does the album work? Break it down for me.

TS: Well I have to do it on my own (*laughs*).

MJ: So you have to book your own studio time?

TS: Yeah I have booked it all and put down the down payment and that’s what all of these concerts are for. In Saskatchewan actually, I have been working my buns off to get the money to do it.

MJ: Yeah, I actually had a question about the Four Hours In November CD and where fans can purchase that? (Colin)

TS: Ummmmmmmmm, that’s a good question. On the Theresa fan club site probably. I did it and last Thursday I actually recorded it. I just put it out because I wanted people to hear some of my originals. It actually sold out, we only made about 150 CD’s.

MJ: Yeah, that’s why people were asking where they can get it.

TS: We have been taking names and numbers. Some of them (the original songs) will be on the album.

MJ: So I am still fascinated by this whole own-label deal. Is it just like Theresa Sokyrka records?

TS: I am not making a label just yet. I am just putting the album together and then whatever happens, happens. I just want to get it recorded and then concentrate on all of the paperwork later on. If there is a label that is interested, then we’ll shop it. We’ll do whatever we have to do.

MJ: So this way you can sort of sell it yourself and market it on your terms?

TS: The biggest thing that a record company is there for is to make your album for you.

MJ: Well, I would argue that it is to make money.

TS: Well it’s obviously to make money. The biggest cost I am saying is the album cost (like the producer costs). Like it’s $400/hour to book a studio. Because I am doing it in Saskatchewan, I have a really great business here that has given me a fantastic deal.

MJ: I guess that’s why I am so fascinated because I am sure that when you leave Canadian Idol, you get inundated with offer after offer.

TS: No, it’s not like that at all.

MJ: Are you serious?

TS: Not at all. I think that maybe people/labels are apprehensive because they don’t know what genre I am maybe. Or something. But there haven’t been offers.

MJ: That’s wild considering that in last year’s Canadian Idol there were three guys at the end, and this time you were the only female in what like the top seven?

TS: It’s crazy!

MJ: I guess it works out for you too because it’s not like you have to pay a manager or pay all kinds of different fees.

TS: Yeah, that’s absolutely right. And the only thing I need to really concentrate on is just distribution. It’s not the big big deal.

MJ: Any embarrassing moments? On the show, off the show…. anything that you can share? (Sam)

TS: Hmmm… I don’t really know that there were a lot of embarrassing moments. I think I tripped once on stage, I don’t think it got caught on camera…

MJ: (*Laughs*) Actually, I think it did.

TS: Oh, maybe you’re right. Yeah, I tripped. Yeah you’re right, I tripped right on camera (*laughs*) Fantastic! I forgot about that. In front of 3 million people that a bit embarrassing!

MJ: In terms of like Kalan winning, I know you have been asked this question a million times but do you think it had a lot to do with appearance and did that irritate you as a songwriter, that it’s like this influx of female fans just voting and voting and voting?

TS: It’s not that it irritates me. Not at all actually. I think Kalan is such a fantastic person and such a fantastic role model but the only thing that irritates me sometimes is that they don’t listen to him sing and he is just an amazing singer. He has an amazing art and it blows my mind to listen to him sing and the biggest thing about being a singer (and what Kalan has) is having people listen to you. Right? Like it makes so much sense. I think the only thing that irritates me is that people forget to listen to him and that is the most important thing.

MJ: And it’s true because the way that it was branded was that Kalan is the pretty-boy and Theresa’s the singer.

TS: I remember that song that he sang “I Can Only Imagine,” at the very end, like those crucial moments of just amazing, touching song and there were just screams and it’s like how do you think he can concentrate when you’re doing that?!

MJ: Well let me play devil’s advocate and it’s like well even if they are screaming at him, at least they’re letting you sing and we saw what effect that had because he is the one that won. So isn’t it better not to hear the song and yet have all this crazy fan support?

TS: No, it’s definitely better to be listened to. And I realize that now by doing these concerts in Saskatoon. People could hear a pin drop between each song. People were actually interested in hearing you and there is nothing better. I know that Kalan agrees with me on this. We played in smoky bars and we played those gigs and we had people not listening to us in open stages. Time and time again. It was fun to play those gigs but it is so much more incredible to actually know that people are appreciating your art and listening. It’s like looking at a painting and not really looking at it.

MJ: And just like looking at the people who are looking at the painting…

TS: Exactly!

MJ: If you could change anything about the Idol experience, what would it be? (Heather)

TS: I think not making people aware, but having people aware of how difficult it is. I think that seeing it on TV, people think that it is really glamorous and really wonderful and it is wonderful, but it is hard work. Kalan is demonstrating how difficult it is. He has not stopped since the end of the show. That’s what it’s like. You’re always interviewing, you’re always on camera. Even if you’re not on camera, you’re always on camera. There’s always somebody watching you. You always want to be doing the right thing. Those L’Oreal shoots? 15-hour days we’re talking about.

MJ: Are you serious?

TS: Oh yeah, totally.

MJ: And nobody gets it… it’s like ‘oh here’s another one of those L’Oreal ads…’

TS: Yeah, put on this make-up and look pretty but it is hard work in a hot hot room all day long. Everything is really difficult. TV is very deceiving! (*laughs*)

MJ: Is there anybody in the Top 10 that really got you through those difficult moments? (Tori)

TS: Before Kaleb left, he spiritually helped me a lot.

MJ: Kaleb Simmonds? That’s interesting because not many people would think that you connected so well.

TS: He is a really awesome human being and really optimistic in life and he’s had a rough life and like I said, learning from people that have been through really difficult experiences. That’s the key in life. And to just be thankful that you don’t have to go through those situations. Kaleb was a big deal to me. He’s a really great person. And of course Kalan and Jacob. I was with them the longest and Jason too and Shane… they were all honestly stand-up dudes. They were gentlemen. Perfect gentlemen. And Elena and I got really really close.

MJ How does it feel to basically become an overnight celebrity?

TS: It’s a matter of balance. You know everytime I talk to Kalan, I say to keep that balance and Jacob too and whenever we’re talking about how difficult things have gotten and how many times your phone rings in a day and how you never thought it would ever ring that much. Think about the way life used to be and be glad that you’re doing what you dreamed about doing because it definitely takes a special breed of human being to go through stuff like this. Overnight celebrity. I can’t really say that I’m a celebrity.

MJ: You are, believe me!

TS: (*Laughs*) It’s just so weird. You know I see things like Gwenyth Paltrow and Chris Martin spotted with their daughter…

MJ: Yeah, but you’re like our version of that. Like if eTalk Daily = Entertainment Tonight then Gwenyth Paltrow = Theresa Sokyrka.

TS: Nooooo…

MJ: Totally.

TS: I think Canadians are a lot kinder. I think if it ever got to the point where I am in the tabloids in the U.S. I think I’d probably…

MJ: Freak?

TS: Freak and stop doing it. There should never be a point in your life where your life stops being private. No matter who you are. You should have the privacy and have the space. Everyone should be given space.

MJ: And finally, what’s next for you?

TS: Egypt, album in January. There’s a Red Deer concert coming up, there’s a Swift Current concert coming up.

MJ: Are you coming back up to Toronto anytime soon?

TS: I’ll be doing a few corporate things. I am going to hopefully look for an agent just to make things go a little bit smoother.

MJ: See, so this is what I thought when you said you were doing your own record. You don’t have an agent but you need an agent to promote the album?

TS: Not necessarily the album, just to promote me. Like I don’t know when the album will be out. Like an agent just because I can’t deal with things like prices and where to play and how many people do we need to fly… it’s just ‘ummmm ummmm, what are we doing again?’

MJ: Yeah, and I am sure your parents don’t have the time to do that either.

TS: Yeah, not really. So I am thinking about finding an agent. Just finding an agent.

MJ: Dude, let me tell you. As soon as you get an agent, you’re a celebrity so you can’t even tell me you’re not a celebrity.

TS: (*Laughs*) But there’s non-celebrities that have agents too!

MJ: No way! Name one!

TS: (*Laughs*) Well, there’s actors all over the place…

MJ: Yeah, but they’re all trying to get agents to become famous in the first place!

TS: Exactly

MJ: That doesn’t count! See, you have a point only if it’s like the grocery clerk getting an agent.

TS: You’re right, I guess. (*laughs*)

At the end of the interview, Theresa and I discussed business. I mentioned that we had met a few times at the various Idol shows and that I had once interviewed her friend Sherman for a story. She remembered him fondly with a big “Sherrrrrrrrrrrm!”

I told her that a lot of her support came from the States because that is where Inside Pulse located. She told me about the worst thing that she ever read anyone write while the show was filming. Apparently a journalist once wrote that contestant Jason Greeley looked like a “constipated weightlifter” when he sang. I told her that Canadian ‘reality’ stars generally were treated much nicer than their American counterparts, not only on American Idol, but other reality shows as well including Survivor and The Apprentice.

I explained to Theresa why I felt she should have been the Canadian Idol. I told her that my perspective was jaded because I lost faith in the country when they chose somebody’s looks over a superior singing talent. I knew that she wouldn’t agree, and she didn’t. She said that I had to consider what BMG would be looking for in a Canadian Idol and that he “really fit the mold.” I said that I thought we were ready to move away from all of the traditional male Idols. Ryan Malcolm. Gary Beals. Billy Klippert. Clay Aiken. Ruben Studdard. I said that the system had to be changed so that repeat voters who simply call in over and over again based on a superficial favorite could not make such an impact on the winner. She still gushed over Kalan.

“He is a fantastic representation of Canada.”

I told her that there would be a day when we met outside of an interview and that she would tell me that she didn’t really like him. I laughed as I said this. She promised that until the day she died and “forever and ever,” that she would never say that.

“He is fantastic, unless there is some strange makeover that happens with a pop star and he turns into some evil human being and breaks into my house and does something horrible to my family, there is no way I will say anything bad about that kid.”

I told her that I believed her. Initially I questioned how genuine she was being, because it is part of the PC game to act like the gracious runner-up, but she said that she was not muzzled in anyway.

“Let’s make that clear, I do not have to say anything.”

I told her that I did not mean that this was pressure being placed on her. I just thought that it was a better career move to be the polite and sweet Saskatchewan girl-next-door.

This is when she dropped the bombshell.

“Well there were people that I didn’t get along with. That’s for sure. I mean Jacob, Jason, Kalan, Shane, and Elena. We never had problems.”

I told her that I didn’t believe her. She was the poster-child for niceness. I would be afraid of upsetting the balance of the world by not getting along with her…

“I think that some people had some strange feelings about the competition, that it was more of a competition than being in it for fun and that was the opposite of what I thought of it. So there was competition and snide remarks…”

I was stunned. I still am actually. I told her that at times I thought she was a Barbie doll, incapable of getting angry. She said that while she didn’t get mad, she could get frustrated.

“Sometimes when the cameras were on, people stopped being real and that was irritating. But I can tell that Jacob is for real, and Kalan is for real like they are for real. And when that camera is off, Jacob is like that all the time and Kalan is just that shy all the time. It’s not like he’s batting his eyes and he’s looking pretty. It’s not like that at all. That’s how Kalan is,” she said.

I told her that her reputation since the beginning of the show was that she was amazingly nice and that’s why I wanted to see if she could hate something.

“That’s why I want to see you say something vicious… like I hate this rose,” I said with a chuckle.

Theresa put on her best Count Dracula voice and “I want to crush it with my hand.” She laughed at her impression and then said that she’s not going to say that. “That’s off-the record Murtz…”

I denied her request.

“That’s totally going in there! It’s the first hateful thing that you have said!” We both laughed.

I again drilled her with questions about something that she hated. I told her that it could not be literring, and had to be a tangible object… preferably a person. The tactic worked because this is when I really got beneath her personality.

“I don’t know them personally, but Britney Spears irritates me a lot. Like a lot! Because she is just so confused about who she is.”

I told her that while people slammed her for her attire and attitude, Britney still opened many doors for female artists. Theresa had to consider this.

“I look at it in a different light and it’s like what would you be like if your life was completely taken over by the media? Like I would probably have 10-minute long marriages and being just like ‘get away from me!'”

I asked her if Britney Spears was her answer to my ‘who do you hate’ question.

“I don’t know what she goes through in her life. Like the implant issue and the body and the image and all of that stuff. Like you’re a beautiful girl. She was beautiful when she was in the Mickey Mouse Club, she always was beautiful. She didn’t have to change anything.”

I told her that this was now the headline of the interview.

THERESA TRASHES BRITNEY SPEARS!

She laughed.

“I think it’s really difficult to be in a situation like that when so many girls and so many boys are idolizing you.”

I told her that people idolized her as well. I mean she was on Canadian Idol! While she said that it was not to that extent, I said that I was sure that there were psycho guys in Saskatchewan. She denied this and again spoke highly of her fans.

“Everyone of my fans since I’ve been in this situation have just been totally nice. Not like grabby or scary or ‘can I have your e-mail address.'”

After we finished the interview portion of the show, I ended up talking to Theresa for an hour or so afterwards. We gossiped about all of the different shows that I cover (including Survivor, The Apprentice, Amazing Race etc.) and she told me more about the Canadian Idol that we didn’t see on TV. We discussed her deciding against living in Toronto, moving out, funny people and a host of other subjects. While I knew that she would be great to talk to, I certainly didn’t expect to talk to her for a couple of hours, which is what ended up happening.

I can now confirm that she is even nicer that she appeared on TV (if that is possible). I consider her to be a friend and if you haven’t had the chance to meet her in person, I highly recommend taking the four-hour drive to Red Deer or even flying in from the States. The show is certainly worth it and the person herself is totally worth the price of admission.

Theresa Sokyrka is a special human being. One that did not succumb to my constant questions to catch her out of character or saying something mean. She is the girl that feeds stray cats and helps the elderly cross the stress. She combines a down-to-earth attitude with a realistic outlook on life and I have no doubt that she will be successful not only in music, but in whatever she chooses to apply herself to.

In the end, I find that I agree with Inside Pulse reader Gensoul. She is friggin awesome. And a friend.

Murtz Jaffer is the world's foremost reality television expert and was the host of Reality Obsessed which aired on the TVTropolis and Global Reality Channels in Canada. He has professional writing experience at the Toronto Sun, National Post, TV Guide Canada, TOROMagazine.com and was a former producer at Entertainment Tonight Canada. He was also the editor at Weekendtrips.com.