Linda Onn at Academy Awards

Apa² jer la Linda Onn…

RADIO celebrity Linda Onn has broken her silence after a week of controversy about her no-show at the red carpet event of the 79th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.

The Era FM deejay, who had been slated as co-host with Channel V presenter Dominic Lau at the event, courtesy of Star Movies, claimed that she was a victim of circumstance.

Writing in her column, Rentak Linda in Kosmo! Ahad, she refuted talk that she was being fussy and acting like a diva.

News reports had alleged that she did not appear at the prestigious event because she did not get to wear the dress she had in mind, a creation by Indonesian designer Jovian Mandagie.

Linda said that as soon as she touched down in Los Angeles, she was told by Star Movies and Astro that they had been given instructions to tell her that she could not wear Jovian’s design. She had to opt for something designed by a Malaysian.

She claimed that an outfit by local designer Radzuan Radzi arrived at the last minute and shown to her only about an hour before she had to go to the Kodak Theatre for rehearsals.

Although the dress was beautiful, Linda said it was not comfortable as the corset was not compatible to the outer bodice.

She said she had not gone though a fitting process for the dress and there would not have been enough time to do alterations.

When Linda asked to be exempted from wearing Radzuan’s dress, as the discomfort would have affected her self-confidence during the show, she was told that if she chose not to wear it, she would not be on air.

Linda said she was shocked but held on to her principles that a task given must be done willingly and not by force or threat.

Apologising to her fans, she said she was sad and frustrated that she did not get to appear at the Oscars but hoped that they understood her action.

~ oleh ampin di Mac 6, 2007.