Title: Sylvia Ratonel Content: Sylvia Anne Ratonel, born June 14, 1988, is a Singaporean singer and spokesmodel. She is best known as the runner-up of the third season of Singapore Idol. Ratonel was also the first female to make it to the finals. The program started her career in singing and entertainment. In January 2010, she signed a contract with broadcaster MediaCorp. Ratonel signed a recording contract with Universal Music Singapore in March of the same year. She was the first Singaporean celebrity ambassador for cosmetic brand Maybelline. In 2010, Sylvia Ratonel was ranked as part of the "Top 100 Sexiest Women in the World" by FHM Magazine. She also won the "Breakout Star of the Year" ELLE Awards 2010. Her self-titled debut album, Sylvia Ratonel was released on 27 October 2010. Four singles were released from the album. Three of these became Top 10 hits on Singapore radio charts. ==Early life== Sylvia comes from a family of five. She has two brothers; Bryan and Timothy. Her family was not wealthy in her early years. When she was 10, the family moved into a small apartment with no bedrooms. Sylvia later said that they "grew up sleeping together in one room, on mattresses".8 Days magazine, 24 Dec 2009. MediaCorp Pte Ltd Life was not easy for her family. They had to depend on food from their church. They would go to church every Sunday to get food.CLEO Magazine, November 2010 Sylvia studied at Fengshan Primary School and Bedok View Secondary School. She chose an education at Temasek Polytechnic so she could start working quicker. Sylvia graduated with a diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management. She worked while in school to help support her family. After graduating, Sylvia decided to wait to go to college because her parents could not afford it. Instead, she went to work at the Conrad Centennial Hotel as a secretary.Video, Sylvia Ratonel launches Motorola Dext phone and announces MediaCorp contract Sylvia Ratonel at launch of Motorola Dext at Iluma on 23.01.2010 (: - YouTube Growing up, Sylvia did not take part in school performances.Juliana June Rasul, The New Paper, December 12, 2009. Singapore Press Holdings Ltd At the age of 18, Sylvia left home in what was a rebellious phase. She began visiting clubs and drinking alcohol. She now has a better relationship with her family. Ratonel says that she is "a good girl who likes bad boys"."Almost Idol, Almost Bad Girl", 8 Days, April 1, 2010. MediaCorp Publishing With her family's support, Sylvia auditioned for Singapore Idol in 2009Sylvia Ratonel on Why She Auditioned for Singapore Idol even though she did not have any professional vocal training."3 More Days: The Calm Before the Storm", MediaCorp Celebrity Blog, 24 Dec 09 ==Singapore Idol== On 6 June 2009, Sylvia auditioned for the third season of Singapore Idol. Her audition impressed judge Ken Lim. He said that she could make it into the Top 10."Singapore Idol Top 24: Sylvia Ratonel", 26 August 2009, Official Singapore Idol 2009 Blog" Summerr In The Shower: Singapore Idol Top 24 : Sylvia Ratonel Sylvia made it through the auditions. The judges had different opinions about how talented she was. At the Piano Show round in September, she impressed the judges with her singing of Duffy’s "Mercy". During the competition, Sylvia was one of the best and worst contestants. She was in the bottom two twice. Once she reached the Top 6 round, her support from the viewers grew. For the next 5 weeks she was not in the elimination group each week. After the last semi-final round on 8 December, Sylvia became the first female finalist on Singapore Idol. On 27 December 2009, she competed against Sezairi Sezali for the title of Singapore Idol. She did not win. Although she wanted to win, Sylvia has was happy to be in the finals. She said "my Idol journey has been wonderful. I would never change anything about it. It’s been a really long and tiring journey, but it’s so fulfilling.... I’m really glad that I managed to touch many people’s hearts, and their lives. I hope to continue doing that,"MediaCorp TV website In an interview with both Ken Lim and Ratonel, Lim said that he "didn't think that [Sylvia] did well" when asked about his opinions about the results. He said her performances in the finals were weaker than those she had in the semi-final rounds.Sylvia Ratonel, Ken Lim - Part 1 - @ Blogtv.sg - 7 Jan 2010 - YouTube