IT was something they had been planning for seven months - with no idea it would happen only after their idol's death.
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| THE MJ CAR: In the driver's seat is Ms Sheilu. In the back seat are Ms Gauri (without mask) and their friend. TNP PICTURE: KUA CHEE SIONG |
Ms Gauri Susheela, 26, her younger sister Sheilu, 21, and a friend, who declined to be named, are diehard fans of Michael Jackson.
The King of Pop died suddenly at his home in Los Angeles last Thursday, shocking millions worldwide.
But before news of that broke, the women already had plans to show their appreciation of Jackson's music by driving around Singapore in a car decorated with his pictures, playing nothing but his hit songs.
When The New Paper met the trio at a multi-storey carpark at Jalan Kukoh on Wednesday, they were hard at work putting the finishing touches to two banners they had made in memory of Jackson.
There was a picture montage of the King of Pop through the various stages of his music career, along with the huge spray-painted words 'Michael, We Love You Forever' and 'MJ: 1958 - Forever'.
They hung the banners on a Kia Rio they had rented for a day - one across the bonnet, the other over the rear bumper.
The girls then whizzed off, driving the car around town and blasting the speakers with MJ songs.
They drove through Chinatown and Orchard Road and past VivoCity.
Ms Sheilu said the idea had emerged some months ago because they had felt that the masses had somehow neglected Jackson.
'We tried to find his old albums in record shops and couldn't,' she said indignantly.
'When we go clubbing and ask for an MJ tune, the deejays refuse to play his songs.
'They will play Madonna, Justin Timberlake, but not Michael. That's when we decided we had to do a celebration of his music, in a unique drive-about around town.'
But Wednesday's road trip turned out to be a sad affair for them.
'We are still devastated by the news (of Jackson's death). This was something we had wanted to do while he was living, to celebrate his life,' said Ms Susheela.
'Unlike some of MJ's fans who have been following his career for over 20 years, we got seriously into his music less than a year ago.'
Ms Susheela said she has read or watched every single one of Jackon's interviews, memorised his lyrics and even attempted to decipher the meaning behind them.
Ms Sheilu, who is currently self-employed, said her adoration for Jackson was more personal. 'Seven months ago, I was going through severe depression, feeling that there was no meaning or purpose to my existence.
'It was Michael's songs that made me realise that love is in every corner, all around us.'
Attention-grabbing
The car caught the attention of passers-by.
When the trio set off, they got curious stares from retirees taking a stroll around Chinatown and Chin Swee Road.
As they approached HarbourFront Centre, a few cars started honking and other drivers gave a thumbs-up before driving past.
Outside VivoCity, secondary school student Stephanie Kaur, 15, said she found the MJ car very cool.
'They were playing the music very loud and everyone just turned to look at it, trying to read the words on the banners,' she said.
As Ms Sheilu turned the car into Orchard Road, a guy rolled down his vehicle's window and hollered at them: 'I love MJ too!'
Miss Mahes, a 21-year old student, said she 'applauded the time and effort the girls put in'.
'I'm not a hardcore MJ fan, but I like his songs,' she said.
'Seeing these girls' expression of their love for him, I must say it's kind of touching.'
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