When DJ Josh faces DJ Jill
DJ Joshua Simon joins Kiss92, goes up against ex-cohost in same time slot
New year, new direction.
Local DJ Joshua Simon, who co-hosted The ONE FM Reality Check with fellow jock Jill Lim for the past year, made his move to sister SPH Radio station Kiss92 on Monday, and is flying solo for his weekday night-time show.
Titled Josh's Goodnight Kiss and airing from 8pm to midnight, he will be taking live requests, counting down the top five songs in Singapore and bringing the hottest entertainment news to listeners.
Simon, 25, told The New Paper: "I love ONE FM and I love the show I was on, but I'm someone who feels very comfortable playing pop music. I'm very well-versed in pop music and pop culture.
"The (classic and modern rock music) on ONE FM was the stuff Jill grew up with, but the stuff I grew up with is on Kiss92. It's more of being where I can be used to the best of my ability."
Josh's Goodnight Kiss replaces On Air With Ryan Seacrest, a syndicated radio programme hosted by the top US DJ-host.
American Top 40 With Ryan Seacrest will still air on Sundays.
RELEVANT
Mr Jamie Meldrum, ONE FM and Kiss92's senior programme director, said Simon's move helps to "localise" content and make it more "interactive".
He added: "We really want to make it more relevant to Singapore, but Ryan's top celebrity interviews will still play."
Incidentally, both The ONE FM Reality Check With Jill and Josh's Goodnight Kiss are going head-to-head in the same time slot.
But he insists it is all friendly competition.
"Jill has always been my support system since I've been in radio (2013). She's someone I can always go to, not just as a colleague but as a friend.
"On The ONE FM Reality Check, we definitely used each other's presence to our full potential. We're always having a conversation. This time we're on our own, so it will be more of talking to our audience," said Simon.
"I want to learn to be independent and stand on my own two feet. As much as I love having a sidekick, I'm excited at challenging myself."
Flying solo is also something Lim, 25, is adapting to.
She told The New Paper: "I'm sad that I won't have anyone to bounce off jokes and banter with. But I think Joshua is in a better place and he's better suited there."
Simon added: "I'm going to miss Jill, but we're friends outside of work. We would always have dinner together before the show and supper after and that's not going to stop."
The (classic and modern rock music) on ONE FM was the stuff Jill grew up with, but the stuff I grew up with is on Kiss92. It's more of being where I can be used to the best of my ability.
- DJ Joshua Simon, who is going solo on Kiss92
MEET THE OTHER DJ LOPEZ
You have heard her soothing voice on Kiss92 for the past year.
And you have probably wondered if DJ Loretta Lopez is related to the other Lopez on the airwaves - local celebrity Vernetta Lopez, 42.
Well, yes, Lopez, 46, is Vernetta's older sister.
Lopez is a Kiss92 part-timer - she keeps listeners company every Sunday from noon to 6pm - and an events organiser. She has a son, 18, and a daughter, 12.
She started out in radio in the 90s at Symphony 92.4, where she hosted a Latin music weekend segment.
She then became a weekend jock on Gold 90.5 from 2009 to 2012 before joining Kiss92 last January.
On her more famous sister, with whom she has "a very close relationship", Lopez told The New Paper: "It's a healthy rivalry, plus it was quite amusing when our parents found out we were on competing stations and companies.
"Even the connection as sisters was seldom made immediately because we don't look alike.
"It's only after people know that we are sisters that they start to make observations, such as that we laugh alike and have such a corny sense of humour."
In the 90s, Lopez was part of the sitcom writing team for Under One Roof, which Vernetta starred in.
During that time, she also wrote for Phua Chu Kang and Crimewatch.
She even used to be Vernetta's manager.
Lopez said: "Many years ago when Vern first got started on TV with (music programme) NiteRage and Under One Roof, I remember a friend came up to me and asked if I was jealous. I said, 'Of course not'. The friend promptly replied, 'Sure or not?'
"That memory stuck in my head after all these years. I found it ridiculous then and I still find it ridiculous now.
"I feel nothing but extreme pride for the work she's done. And Vern feels the same for me."
On her stint at Kiss92 so far, Lopez said: "When I'm behind that microphone, the pressure is there... to inform and entertain. I learn something new from every show I do. And you gotta love a job that affords you that."
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