5 Questions With … TTC Idol winner Iniobong Udoh

Meet Senior Business System Analyst Iniobong Udoh, from the IT Services Department. Ini (for short) is the TTC’s newest Idol contest champion and she will be taking the stage again at the United Way finale at the North York Civic Centre on Dec. 18.

Q: How does it feel to have won TTC Idol and had you competed before?
A: It feels great! I was honoured to compete with such talented singers and represent the Corporate Services Group for the first time ever in the history of TTC Idol. I hadn’t competed at TTC Idol before and have only competed with my elementary school choirs in the past. So nothing solo like this.

Q: Tell us about the song you performed and why you chose it?
A: The song has an odd title, And I’m telling you I’m not going, originally sung by Jennifer Holiday in the 1980s. It encourages us to fight for what we believe in whether it be love or any circumstances that challenge us.

Q: Have you performed before a large crowd before and how did you prepare for Idol?
A: Yes I have. I actually sing in my church choir. I prepared by listening to the song until I learned it. I had lost my voice about two weeks before the competition so I drank all sorts of teas with honey, lemon and ginger – thanks to my colleagues who gave me a constant supply!

Q: Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
A: My heritage is African, from Nigeria.

Q: What’s next for you?
A: I am singing at the United Way finale. I will take advantage of the opportunities that I was offered as a result of my performance at the TTC Idol and see how it goes. I will be performing in my church’s Christmas concert for the charity, One Hope, at Portico Church in Mississauga. All are invited!