UTT's INTERVIEW

By Thomas Schmid

He approaches the swimming pool bar area with youthful strut and plants himself on one of the bar stools in a slouching position resembling Captain James T. Kirk of "Star Trek" fame. His cell phone rings and MTV's Thai VJ Utt, a.k.a. Greg, answers a business call, leaving me with the impression that I am about to interview a fella who's in high demand.

God, he DOES look very Eurasian, just as I imagined when we made our appointment by phone and he was talking to me in flawless, American-accented English. But Utt soon rectifies my wrong impression after finishing his call.

"It's true, I look quite like a 'luuk khreung' (a Thai phrase describing a child of mixed, Thai-Caucasian heritage), but let me assure you that I am 100 percent Thai. Both my parents are."

It is however true that the lad was born and raised in sunny California where his father held a tutorial position as a professor in social science, and Utt was exposed from earliest childhood to American culture -- popsicles, beef burgers and well you guessed it, MTV, which back then was a pioneering music television channel presenting the newly emerging art form of pop music videos to a steadily growing audience of viewers.

"That early exposure to MTV is probably the reason why I developed my teenager's dream of becoming involved with the channel one day. It always stuck in my mind and watching music videos was really a very important part of my teenage years," Utt explains.

The realization of the dream had to wait until Utt moved to Thailand at the age of 15, when his parents resolved that their son was becoming too 'Americanized,' as Utt puts it. The future star of MTV's Bangkok Jam show was shocked and upset at his parents' decision but had no other choice than to comply.

"They just wanted me to discover my heritage and get exposed to Thai customs, traditions and the language. In the meantime, I must say that I have completely laid at rest the initial grudge I had towards my parents. It was the right decision of them sending me here and, after all, without moving to Thailand I wouldn't be with MTV today." the now 26-year-old says .

So, how does one start out as a VJ for MTV? I mean, it's not like you just gate crashed their office and announced: "Hey, here I am!"

(smiles)Not quite like that. I went to a casting MTV was holding at Bangkok's Hard Rock Cafe because they were searching for a Thai to host Bangkok Jam. That was a little over two years ago.

Did you harbor any high hopes that they were going to pick you?

I thought 'now or never' and I was really hyper on that day. I was the last person during the casting. I was so nervous, so excited. If you're in that state, it can come out two ways. Either it's going to be a total failure or a total success. Luckily, I was able to keep my concentration. I knew exactly what the script required and what I had to say. I was cool, but was kept in the dark about the outcome for about two weeks. Then, my agency called, saying that I had passed the first round and that I would be flown to Singapore for a second round audition. After that, I again had to wait for two weeks, but finally I learned that MTV had really picked me. Whoa, it was just such a nerve-wrecking experience!

And how did you feel?

I was just sooo happy. I think I would have been utterly disappointed if they hadn't chosen me. I am both optimistic and pessimistic, so I always also get myself prepared for the worst-case scenario, just in case it really happens. But, yes, I still would've been devastated.

Now, you have made it and your dream has come true, what's your show Bangkok Jam about?

It's basically a show featuring Thai artists, concerts, trendy places to go, interviews with celebrities. For example, we recently interviewed David Beckham. We also do travel now and then, went to Japan talked to Coco Lee. Every show carries a theme. For the Asian Games, we covered boxing and other sports. It's a very active program, shot mostly outdoors.

What do you think of the local pop scene?

I feel a bit uncomfortable talking about this, but I should be honest, eh? It is really commercialized and all about marketing. This month, the pan-Asian look might be in, next month it's the Chinese look, while real talent is often lacking. We do have some artists who have real talent, but what you see nowadays is like any person walking down the street being pulled in. You have them wear a leather jacket, leather pants, spike their hair up and let them sing some type of song and you have a performer. I think this practice is kind of bad, because the new generation is being pushed in the direction of getting less discerned about quality and talent. This marketing style just deprives the new generation of their capability to be critical. There is a lot of music out there, which is quite mind numbing and some sound like children's songs.

Going to be with MTV for all eternity?

I really like what I am doing at the moment and it's lots of fun, but it is probably not forever, no. I just graduated with a degree in mass communications, so I have lots of options. Working behind the camera, producing my own shows would just be one of these. I still would like to go abroad first, carry on studying, furthering myself, finding myself. But for now, I am happy. Besides hosting Bangkok Jam, I have a quite busy schedule. I appear in Thai soap operas once in a while, was the emcee at last year's Asian Television Awards in Singapore, and so on.

So, you're quite a familiar face and always draw crowds of fans when you go shopping?

You see, I have been in the entertainment business for about eight years, only two of which I spent with MTV. I've hosted a variety of different shows, for example a concert show together with Claudia (who's now also with MTV) for four years, then the soap opera stuff. So, yes, I guess I am recognized on the street. I have all kinds of people from small kids to grandmothers coming up and talking to me.

And no star allures?

Not at all. I have always been striving to present myself as a quite relaxed guy in front of the camera, so people are not generally reluctant to step up to me and I feel good about that. They don't swarm me like the stereotypical schoolgirls surrounding the star, wanting autographs, screaming, fainting at the sheer sight of their idol. I think I have created that mellow image about myself, so my fans are mellower towards me, they accept me as a person, not a role model they need to imitate and worship.

Do you think it has been easier for you to become a celebrity in Thailand than if you would have stayed back in the States?

I definitely would say that. In the States, there is such a lot of competition and so much talent. There is so much going on a different level. I don't know where I would be if I were in the States. I probably would be a doctor, because that is what I was pursuing. Where I am now has developed from a lot of good opportunities, not necessarily luck.

And once you have climbed the ladder of stardom?

I think it its harder to sustain where you're at the moment than to get where you want to go. You can be high up so fast, but also can lose it all again so fast at the same time. You have to be responsible; you have to keep on going, keep yourself together, regardless which country you are in. Once you burn out, it really shows. You know that when you look into the mirror, the audience will notice it. I have seen it with others, man. It can be a long fall.

As a handsome, up and coming star, there ought to be someone special in your life...

Nope. (chuckles)

Fancying anyone?

Actually, quite a lot (chuckles again). But at the moment, I am soooo busy, I just don't have time enough to spare for a steady relationship.

But you are a women's man, a flirtatious person?

I don't think so, but many of my friends say I am. But I would say I just don't like to be committed. That's why my friends tend to call me a 'womanizer', which couldn't be farther from the truth. I am young, don't want to commit myself, and I haven't found the right person yet, so it is simply down to having fun, meeting new people and if it doesn't work out with that one girl, I can go on and give it a try with the next one.

Do you receive a lot of fan mail from girls who'd like to meet you, even propose to you? How do you react to it?

It is quite normal for me in Thailand to receive such letters, but far less than you'd probably think. It's not nearly as much as a full laundry basket each week (laughs). In the beginning, I was quite shocked, didn't know how to react. Now, I take them more as a compliment, knowing that there's someone out there who likes me and appreciates what I'm doing.

Do you usually write a reply?

No, I think that would be wrong, as you would trigger false hopes in those fans, hopes which you ultimately could not fulfill. Bangkok isn't called 'Fun City' for nothing. Do you enjoy going out a lot? I don't. I am not a party lion. I do enjoy going out every now and then when there's a special occasion or when I feel really strung-up and need to relax.

You mean, you're the Humphrey Bogart type, sitting alone in a quiet corner with a bottle of scotch and a glass?

I don't like drinking, I like dancing. I am always the first one on the dance floor and can get going on all night.

What dance music styles do you prefer then?

I just take it as it comes. Hip hop, trance, pop, you name it. Latin music is currently really big in Bangkok.

Any favorite venues to live out your passion?

I think it changes all the time and I just go wherever the wind blows me and I have no favorite venue. The club scene in Bangkok is very much a fad thing.

You don't really like to follow the trendy crowds?

Not at all, I am totally the opposite. It's quite a contradiction with regards to my job, though. As a VJ, I really should closely follow what's happening, which venues are in and which are not. I believe, the Britt Club is currently on the agenda with many trendies.

To sum it up, VJ Utt is a hard-working, talented, womanizing, anti-alcoholic dance fanatic with a mellow image who appreciates his fans but should keep more in touch with current entertainment trends? You've got me here. If you want to put it that way, I am content, man, and have nothing to add (laughs and takes a last sip from his glass of water).

Kakaki @2001 autumn