Multiple Dates with Shane Filan

I think I've been one of the few luckiest fans in Singapore along with my Westlife Buddy (WB) for Shane's promotional trip this time round so....I will share my story in details =]

Let's start with the pre-event stories. When they had announced that Shane was coming to town; I was in Japan! Away from all the Singapore news amidst the typhoons in Tokyo. Thank god I had amazing Westlife fans who kept me updated; WB, Ari, Nadya, Maddie, Chels, Paige, etc. As of the 23rd Oct, there was only one way to attain the showcase tickets and so WB went to sign up for not one but TWO Amped subscriptions; confirming my tickets for me before I even asked or she asking me. This is TRUE FRIENDSHIP. =] 2 days prior to Shane's arrival I had secured myself 4 opportunities of meeting him: Autograph session, Showcase, Flyer Date and Dinner Date


1) Changi Airport

This was the one and only opportunity I had to create for myself. He arrived in Singapore at about 1pm and I was there with about 20 other friends including my group of girlies WB, Clara and Yijing (oh and Ali too from Indon came to look for me) IT WAS HORRIBLE. Seriously it was only 20 people; Shane being the sweetest guy ever would have signed and taken photos with everyone easily in less than 20mins BUT the fans just had to charge at him the moment he stepped out of the glass door; btw if you're singaporean you should at least know you are NOT allowed to pass the grey barrier? Ehem. Anyway poor Shane was being swarmed horribly all the way to his car and the fans were basically jostling each other and trying to get to Shane for a photo or sign. My poor friends kept getting pushed aside and I had to drag my girlies....and along the way I had 3 super failed selcas as such due to the disgusting pushing: (it was a miracle I even got to him amidst the horror and 6inch burberry boots haha)

Attempt 1: Shane and Phoebe's boobs

Attempt 2: Still blur

Attempt 3: Still blur with Shane without his shades; damn it would have been a pretty picture I reckon

I was glad Shane didnt hate me for shoving myself several times haha throughout I was whining to him "Sorry Shane our picture was blur"

Then FINALLY when Shane reached the car he went "Everyone calm down! I will take pictures with everyone. Please do it in an orderly manner one by one. Those who already have a picture please give way to those who havent" AND GUESS WHAT?! Apparently the fans dont understand English or are just plain rude. The same few continued shoving themselves at Shane and I think their face appeared in like everyone else's photo over Shane's shoulder. SIGH. 

Anyway fat arms aside I am relatively satisfied with this photo:

Apologies to my dear friends whom I took photos for and they were abit blur =[ DUI BU QI

2) Autograph Session

My girlies and I cabbed down to Bugis+ straight after cause we wanted more time to relax and we were about the 3rd row. Autograph session was another disappointing session where 90% of the crowd were just taking up space to take photos etc but did not buy the album. And the queue cutting was just disgustingly Singaporean. Enough said. 

Shane was also very moody by that time probably cause he was tired, bad experience at the airport and now leading to an autograph session where he wasnt allowed to personalized the albums (writing your name on the sleeve) or hug any fans. When WB and I went up we were telling him how we met in Liverpool etc and he just went "oh yes" and when I asked him to write my name the UMG in charge said "No I'm sorry we cant do that" BUT Shane ignored her and wrote my name at the side anyway. I LOVE YOU SHANE 

3) Showcase

Since we only had normal passes for the showcase we decided to cab down to Zouk again so we could secure ourselves better spots. So we rushed down straight after we obtained our autographs and we were the second group of girls; ie 4th 5th and 6th. It was about 5pm when we arrived and the showcase was due to start at about 7pm....so it was really not too long a waiting time. Whilst we were waiting we took photos with the standee outside....

And guess who came by to disturb me before I managed to take this photo? Dear Liam haha he jumped across in front of me and shouted "photobomb!!" before running off HAHA. Me Clara and WB were having a great laugh over the incident after he left. Anyway here comes the best part....closing in to 7pm, this girl suddenly came over to us and went "hi girls, since you guys have waited for such a long time I've gonna give you these stickers, you have been upgraded to VIP access" I was sooooooo surprised and happy I started screaming things like "are you serious?! omg omg omg" And I even asked her if I could hug her haha she was soooo sweet so I gave her a hug and kiss haha. Anyway what did the VIP access entail? We were immediately shifted to the VIP queue where we were let in soon after. Shane was on the second floor taking a photo and me and Clara shouted his name hahahaha. He came over to the railings and waved at us =] The UMG guy signaled to us to be quiet when we shouted but when he saw Shane responding and waving he just smiled haha. We were allowed up in groups of 10ish and everyone was shaking hands with Shane introducing themselves. I was second last and I just opened my arms to indicate a hug and so I got one =] Clara followed behind with a hug as well. Then during the group photo we asked Liam if he wanted to photobomb this time round and he said no hahahaha. Clara also managed to have a quick chat with Shane on the beer she gave.

After the photo, I told Clara to run down to book a spot for us first since I had difficulties running in heels haha. She managed to get a front spot and told me to stand there whilst she and WB stood behind me. So sweet. I then took off my heels since I was already in front and my height decreased significantly hahaha. Anyway enough typing onto the videos:

4) Flyer Date

It was a nerve-wrecking event because WB was almost late!!! She literally arrived at 415pm when everyone else had arrived way earlier. The guy in charge was sitting down beside me asking me for her status and even followed me outside when I was searching for her hahahaha. Epic. Anyway all winners were brought up to the lounge where I had a great chitchat session with Maddy and Arnold from Kiss92 before Shane finally arrived. Some of the girls started rushing up to him again and he said "its ok I will come around" and also "no handshakes, all hugs, only hugs" Sooooo sweet right?! After which he proceeded to the balcony area and the crew said we should take a group photo. Shane asked how much time we had and when they answered that we had 10mins; he went "Ok. Individual photos. Everyone gets individual photos" =]

Thanks Yijing for taking this shot for me

We then made our way towards the Flyer entrance and Shane got mobbed again haha...yes by the few people! Even though we were going to get 30mins with him on the Flyer...maybe its a Singapore kiasu-ism. Me on the otherhand went to disturb Liam HAHAHA. After chatting to Jazzy and she gave me feedback on Liam in Malaysia, I went to him and asked "Why do you always refuse to take pictures with fans? Even the Malaysian fans told me the same thing" He paused for 3secs before smiling and went "Because its not my job" hahaha Liam is such a horrible guy he once was a popstar as well!!! hahahaha

Whilst walking I was also telling Shane how I've never been on the Flyer and he asked me if I came from Singapore to which I answered yes and I told him me and WB went on the London Eye when we went to watch them in UK and he admitted that despite living in London for 13 years he has never once went on the London Eye. So we decided that it was a tourist thing haha

After we got into the beautifully decorated capsule with yummy food everyone was getting a bit shy except the one guy who attacked the food tray and successfully dropped some stuff to which Shane went "what are you doing dude?! You're ruining things before it even started!" hahahaha it was hilarious. Maddy then introduced me and WB as the super fans who went to UK for the farewell tour and I said "Yeah Liverpool" and Shane was like "Yup at the Echo Arena?" 

We werent allowed photography throughout the ride and during another awkward silence I pointed out the F1 track to him and Liam to which he got pretty excited as well haha.

Imma leave out the other people's interactions for now unless you guys request for it ;-) haha

Soon we reached the other side of the round and we decided that it called for a good phototaking opportunity again and Liam said he'll take the photos so I passed him my camera immediately. Liam was supposed to take a solo picture for Shane first but Shane was being all cute staring excitedly at the view outside that Liam had to shout 3 times before he turned for the photo haha. The UMG girl asked me to queue but I said Liam already has my camera so she said I had to go first. Once again we had to wait for Shane to stop getting excited at the scenery haha so I pointed out the Fullerton Hotel to him; the hotel where Westlife first stayed when they came to Singapore and they had a magazine photoshoot there. He got pretty excited at that as well and started telling everyone about the new known fact to which he went "I couldnt even remember it! She had to remind me about it, she remembers everything" hahahaha super cute. After which Alice started chit chatting to me and our conversation expanded to Shane's tour schedule for this year and next as well as the UMG regional organization ;-) 

I simply chilled for the last few moments because I knew I was going for the dinner date with Shane again later to which it kept being mentioned to all the organizers, Liam and Shane himself throughout the ride so they all knew hahaha Liam was like "oh you're on that one too?" and UMG people who took my presents gave it back to me cause I said I was going for the dinner and they went "ah ok you'll be there too ok" haha they're all so nice =]

Liam had troubles getting Shane off the Flyer when doors opened because he was busy hugging and saying goodbye to everyone. I just waved and shouted "See you later! Literally" and Shane replied with a "Oh yes. Literally" before finally stepping out of the Flyer.

And whilst everyone including my OWN FRIEND chased after Shane, my heel broke and nice nice Arnold stayed behind to ask if I was alright and even offered to carry my bag for me hahaha omg so embarrassing but he was such a gentleman.

Anyway me and WB immediately grabbed a cab and rushed down to Marina Square straight after because had half an hour and I had to buy a new shoe =[ The most interesting thing was: I was joking to the taxi uncle that we were rushing to dinner with Shane from Westlife and he started singing Seasons in The Sun!!!! Me and WB couldnt stop giggling telling the uncle how cool he was hahahaha and we actually pulled up right beside his van at the traffic light and uncle asked us if we wanted him to chase Shane hahahaha but we said no we were going to meet him anyway he probably went back to the hotel to freshen up first haha. Hilarious and cute experience.

5) Dinner Date

WB and I reached super early but the UMG guys were already there so we left our bags and told them we were going to freshen up haha. They recognized us from the Flyer we as well hahahaha. We're literally everywhere!! Pav and Alea came shortly after so there was only 4 of us at the table when Desiree Lai arrived. She was really friendly and down to earth and asked us where we wanted Shane to sit. We told her we wanted him to sit next to WB and Desiree said she'll sit on his other side and leave the other 2 seats for the remaining 2 girls. The 2 girls joined us shortly after; a pair of sisters and we got chatting, Desiree started preparing us and yummy food was served by Nuvo 

I had my back towards the entrance area so Desiree kept trying to scare me by acting as if Shane had arrived behind me hahaha she apparently found my reaction hilarious haha. After a while WB being the sweetest person in the whole wide world, shifted next to Desiree and asked if that was ok. Desiree said ok and bam! I was due to expect Mr Shane Filan to be seated right next to me for dinner omg. 

He arrived shortly after our 4th course of dinner: sesame chicken, beef, seafood spaghetti and lamb wrapped in lard. He greeted everyone with a hello and sat down and I could smell his super nice perfume haha; he changed by the way =] The waiter informed him that pizza would be served shortly to which he replied "Ah we're having pizza? I like pizza" And then he asked me what was on the table and I described the food to him to which he replied "The beef looks a bit too raw for me, I'll just wait for the pizza" The waiter then came by and asked him if he would like a drink and he asked "What are you guys having?" and I told him that I was drinking sprite and that they had other softdrinks as well to which he decided on sprite. Desiree then kicked off the round of introductions and started with WB. After she finished introducing herself Desiree signaled me to go next but Shane completely ignored me and said hi to my friend Pav who was seated next to me and I just looked shocked along with everyone else who started laughing to which just swatted his hand and went "Ah, I already know her" hahahahaha but they decided that I should speak anyway so I did a brief run through on all the occasions we met:

Me: We met in 2006 in Singapore at HardRock Cafe

Shane: OH YAH!!!!

Me: And then we met again when Westlife came for the Gravity tour in 2011 here, and then 2012 in Liverpool and then today again!

Shane: Yes yes we met again just now again and now we meet again again! 

Pav then started her introductions and went "Unlike her, this is the first time I'm meeting you"

Shane: Oh yes, she has met me like 15 times. 

 *everyone starts laughing at me again*

The pizza arrived after the round of introductions and there was a seafood pizza and one with pepperoni and cold ham slices on top.

Shane: What's that? Is that seafood? Why do you put seafood on a pizza? That's so weird"

Me: Yeah there's prawns, squid and scallops

Shane: Oh. But thats so weird, I'm going to stick to the ham.

He then started offering the ham pizza around whilst I being a bit kiasu quickly started grabbing the seafood pizza to serve to all those who didn't eat pork (I was afraid if they didn't get it fast enough they'd have no other alternative food) Shane kept looking at me eat and asked if the stuff I was picking out were olives HAHAHAHA and I answered yes and he commented that he couldnt eat seafood on a pizza haha. He really loved his ham pizza though and even offered a slice to Liam cause he said it was really good.

We then began our round of questions. WB asked him for relationship advice, Pav asked him about dining outside as a world star, Alea asked him about how it felt like touring alone while the sisters asked about his family. I asked him about upcoming plans in his career.

Me: Is there anything we can look forward to in your solo career; perhaps some surprises within your new album, have you started preparing for your tour?

Shane: There are currently no plans for a second album yet because I will be busy touring next year, a new album will come the year after. My UK tour starts in Feb/Mar so I've started preparing for it; maybe I'll see you there again next year! Liverpool? 

*cue for everyone to laugh at Phoebe again*

Me: It's ok I'll wait for your asian stops to see you again; you'll be heading over during Summer? With your kids for a holiday?

Shane: Yup 

Me: Maybe you can make your Singapore stop on my birthday

Shane: When's your birthday?
Me: June

Shane: Which date?

Me: 19th

Shane: Ok, I'll try

I remember that halfway during dinner I started stoning and I began observing how pretty Shane's eyes were, how skinny his thighs were compared to mine, and more importantly how nicely he sat as compared to me; a girl in a skirt. So I arranged my dress properly and tucked my legs in hahaha epic. When I told this to my girlfriends there after dinner, Alea was like "no wonder you suddenly went quiet" hahaha

Time with Shane ended really quickly and Desiree signaled to us to pass Shane our presents for his kids (from me and WB) He was very happy with it and asked if we wanted him to open it but we decided to leave the surprise to the kids. I also passed him a booklet I had made with a series of photos of mine and WB's Westlife (Shane Filan) adventures. After which we ended off with a round of phototaking. Once again I passed Liam my camera and told him that all 4 of us will use the same camera and he asked me to go first.

Shane squeezed me really tightly and I was getting all nervous and he just had to go "I can hear your heart beating so hard!" and he looked over to Liam and exclaimed "I can feel her heartbeat against me! Her heartbeat is so fast!" Sheesh hahaha and after the photos were taken Shane told me "You need to take a deep breath; inhale hard" hahahaha so girls stop judging me, even Shane knows I'm really nervous despite meeting him several times; some fangirls think I freak out just as an attention seeker. The truth has now been revealed haha

When I checked my photo I realised that Shane wasnt looking at the camera so I asked Liam if he could take another one for me and then after taking the shot Liam went : Ok! Beautiful! You look great, your eyes are not closed you're both looking at the camera and you look beautiful . THANK YOU LIAM

After that I realised that Shane left the booklet on the table so I passed it to Liam and he decided to safeguard it instead of passing it to Alice haha and he kept asking Liam where the presents were and to take care of them. I'm so glad Shane treasures our prezzies =]

Anyway dinner was a perfect end to our perfect time spent together in Singapore. Hope Shane enjoyed his time here and looking forward to our next date together =]

To any readers out there: more details of flyer and dinner dates will be revealed upon request ;-) hahaha hope you guys enjoy my fan account and it gave you a great insight to how real and down to earth Shane is despite 15 years of success. 

Please leave comments on the tagboard. If any of you are too shy to ask me questions on the tagboard feel free to use ask.fm/phoebefeehily , all questions will be answered on twitter @phoebefeehily

Phoebe Feehily signing off now ciao!