HOME-GROWN singer Kelly Poon’s appearance on a Taiwanese variety show two weeks ago has been causing a stir among Singaporeans.

On the Variety Big Brother show hosted by Chang Fei, Poon twirled a flaming baton expertly and performed a slew of fire-based magic tricks. But it was her clothing that was a sore point.

Poon, 25, a former Project Superstar contestant – who was dressed for her performance in a tiny pair of denim shorts, a white tank top, a black vest and high heels – faced a panel of judges for their comments.

But all the three judges – comprising professional magicians, including Taiwan’s Eric Cheng – could talk about was her outfit and “night-market” dressing.

“This is not presentable,” chided Cheng, who wanted to see her in more traditional magician’s garb.

She had originally picked out an outfit that included leather leggings, she told my paper yesterday in a phone interview.

“But the producers, who approve everyone’s outfit before the show, thought shorts would look nicer,” said Poon, who learnt the magic tricks from a professional magician. Not that she minded the outfit change.

“I felt it looked fine,” said the chirpy lass. She added that the judges’ subjective comments did not offend her. “It’s Taiwanese variety-show culture to have something to talk about,” said Poon, who will next star in subway drama One Million Star.

On citizen-journalism website Stomp, netizens shared their views on Poon’s dressing.

Those like Stomper SoulSurvivor agreed with the judges.

“She is dressed like those ah lians in the shopping mall,” said the netizen.

But Stomper maverick66 praised Poon’s reaction: “One thing about being professional is to be able to take (such comments) in your stride.”

For more my paper stories click here.