Rosita Vai
| Rosita Vai | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Rosita Vai |
| Also known as | Rosita Gibbons, Rosie |
| Born | 4 June 1981 |
| Origin | Wellington, New Zealand |
| Genres | Pop, soul |
| Instruments | Vocals Piano |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Independent (2005–2007) |
| Associated acts | Bella Kalolo, Aaradhna Isaac Aesili |
| Website | [1] |
Rosita Vai (born 4 June 1981) is a New Zealand singer who rose to musical fame as the winner of the second season of New Zealand Idol in 2005. Now married is also known as Rosita Gibbons. Prior to her win, Rosita managed to stay out of the 'bottom three' contestants for the entire competition. The only contestant to have done so in the history of NZ Idol. The very first female crowned New Zealand Idol She also appeared on TV2's Showstoppers, and Pop's Ultimate Star, which featured various winners from New Zealand Idol and PopStars, however she was voted out in the second week of the competition.
After winning idol, entertainer Sir Howard Morrison made comments about Vai's large body size, saying it would affect her career and give the wrong image to her fans. Morrison and Vai reconciled on the TVNZ television show Close Up, and the two performed a duet together at a live concert in 2006.
Like NZ Idol season one winner Ben Lummis, Rosita is no longer signed to SonyBMG. She released an album titled Golden which made the Top 20 NZ Albums chart. She also won a Tui Award for 'Best Selling Single' for her #1 hit 'All I Ask' - her winners single for NZ Idol. Nominated at the best female artist at the Pacific Music awards 2006. She made a high-profile appearance at Out in the Square - Wellington's gay and lesbian fair as a special guest on 1 March 2008, and headlined the after-party alongside The Glamazons — a move that many believe set in motion Vai's 'gay icon' status.
She is of Samoan ethnicity and performed at the opening ceremony of the 2007 Pacific Games, held in Apia, Samoa. The songstress has expanded her skills to include musical theatre with her debut in Sinarella a pacific interpretation of the classic fairytale Cinderella in 2012, quickly followed by a 2013 season of Auckland Theatre Company’s rock comedy The Little Shop of Horrors Vai has spent the majority of 2014 globe-trotting as part of the ensemble cast of the critically acclaimed The Factory created by Kila Kokonut Krew company – a nod to Pacific migration in Aoteraroa during the 1960s and early 1970s. The Factory performed to sell-out audiences including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Her gifted vocals have enabled her to collaborate with some of New Zealand’s most talented musicians including Dame Malvina Major, Sir Howard Morrison, Bella Kalolo and Aaradhna. With a deep sense of pride in her heritage, Vai combines her Pacific culture with her classical training and a fusion of soul, gospel, hip hop and R&B to create music that a diverse audience can appreciate. Vai is now signed up with Soul Note Agency run by Te Awanui Reed of Nesian Mystics currently she is working on the edgy rock-opera Jesus Christ Superstar in Auckland, NZ with Julia Deans Fur Patrol Laughton Kora Kora Kristian Lavercombe, Jeremy Redmore Midnight Youth Madeleine Sami Siones Wedding SuperCity
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