SOME 120 young performers spent their September school holiday basking in glamour.
The group, part of the cast for this year's ChildAid concert, got all dolled up for a publicity photo shoot themed "The Oscars Meets K-pop".
Some also practised their vocals and dance moves at a workshop earlier in the week.
The annual charity event's hair and make-up partner Cosmoprof heaped on the glitz. For ChildAid's glittery 10th edition, it turned some of the participants, aged seven to 24, into a cross between screen actress Scarlett Johansson and the stars of K-pop girl band Girls' Generation.
The photo studio at the Singapore Press Holdings News Centre was abuzz with activity as performers admired one another's makeovers and snapped "wefies" - or self-taken group shots - while they waited for their turn.
"We look so fabulous!" said ITE Show Choir member Sharifah Shahirah Aljunied, 19, looking at the publicity shots afterwards.
This year's milestone All-Stars Edition concert brings together ChildAid alumni such as piano prodigy Abigail Sin and singer-actor Nathan Hartono, both of whom performed at the event in its early years.
Said Mr Hartono, 23: "I've always had a soft spot for this concert. The 2005 show was the first major concert I had ever done."
He also performed in 2006.
This year, a cast of 200, including a 60-strong orchestra, will take to the stage.
Fresh faces feature in the line-up as well, among them Aida Mohamed Zulkifli, 14, who writes songs, sings and plays the guitar.
She, along with more than 30 other young vocalists, had a chance to hone their singing and dancing skills at a three-day workshop earlier in the week.
The Anderson Secondary student said she was happy to be chosen.
"One of the things on my bucket list is to perform for charity," said the Sec 2 student.
"It's really nice, to be able to do two things at one time: Showcase your talent and raise money for charity."
ChildAid raises money for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund.
Organised by The Straits Times and The Business Times, the concert will run from Dec 5 to 6 in the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands, the official venue parter.
For more information: www.straitstimes.com/childaid
