ALICIA PAN, 24, R&B and pop singer

Local R&B-pop singer Alicia Pan spent three years in Taiwan from 2005 for a shot at the big time there. But her singing career failed to take off and she came home.

Far from being discouraged, the plucky youngster reckons the setback has made her a better performer.

Pan, 24, who sings in both Mandarin and English, says matter-of-factly: 'In Taiwan, good vocals weren't enough. I had to polish my Mandarin, learn to dance and host, and look a certain way to stay marketable.'

She declares: 'I have no regrets about moving to Taiwan. There were good things that came out of it. It has made me a better and stronger performer.'

When she bit the bullet and returned home in May last year, she certainly did not waste time moping.

The sultry singer-songwriter, who is known for her good looks and powerful vocals, sprang back on stage singing at various corporate shows as well as the Mosaic Music Festival in March this year and Audi Fashion Festival last month. She also has a regular gig at Timbre@Old School every Friday.

Pan, who is single, tells Life!: 'When I came back, I realised the competition here had grown. There were many younger singers and new bands.

'I continue to perform to stay in the music scene.'

She moved to Taipei at the age of 20 when she was one of three artistes handpicked to be part of an Asian version of the music video for Breaking Free, a hit song popularised by Disney Channel's movie High School Musical.

She had a five-track Mandarin EP released there and promoted her music by performing at a nightspot in Taipei.

But she hit a snag when the release of her 10-track debut album fell through. It was due for release in late 2006, according to reports.

Last year, she sued her recording company in Singapore, claiming that it had not released the album because she did not want to sign a new contract.

The singer declined to elaborate, saying that she has settled the matter recently and moved on.

The younger of two children says her overseas stint has taught her something about surviving in the entertainment business.

The Ngee Ann Polytechnic graduate, who first sang in public at a Mr Teen pagaent in 2002, adds: 'I have become more business-savvy and street-smart. I learnt to be thick-skinned and not be afraid to question something if in doubt.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times.