Joy Destiny Tobing

Biography

Joy Destiny Tiurma Tobing (born 20 March 1980) is an Indonesian gospel singer and the winner of the first season of Indonesian Idol.

Biography

Tobing was a gospel singer when she signed up for the first season of Indonesian Idol, leading to some criticism since she was not considered an amateur.
She was expected to represent Indonesia in the Asian Idol and World Idol competitions, but disagreement arose with the idol show management, Indomugi Pratama, and her recording company, BMG Indonesia, insisting that as an artist she should not only have obligations but also have rights. During a press conference in November 2004, the team of Indomugi Pratama, BMG Indonesia, RCTI, and FremantleMedia, who hold the license for the Indonesian Idol program, claimed they were not sending Tobing to any Asian or World Idol because of this. They considered her disobedience to be her failure to behave as a good idol.
In March 2005, Tobing terminated her contract with BMG Indonesia which, in September 2004, released her Idol album Terima Kasih. At her press conference, Tobing and her lawyer stated that the reason she had long been treated unfairly, BMG Indonesia had never informed her about the selling of the album and did not give her any royalties.

Contests

1994: Cipta Pesona Bintang, RCTI
1995: 1 Final Aksi, RCTI
1997: Pioneer Asia 5th Laser Karaoke Competition
2004: Indonesian Idol, RCTI
2013: "Fake ID"

Indonesian Idol performances

Top 30: Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinéad O'Connor
Top 11: Seindah Biasa by Siti Nurhaliza
Top 9: Khayal by Purnama Sultan
Top 8: To Love You More by Céline Dion
Top 7: Pelangi by Chrisye
Top 6: Kamu Harus Cepat Pulang by Slank
Top 5: Pesta by Elfa's Singer
Top 4: Mengertilah Kasih by Ruth Sahanaya
Top 4: Kuakui by Dewi Sandra
Top 3: Yang Terbaik by Ruth Sahanaya
Top 3: Surat Cinta by Vina Panduwinata
Grand Final: Karena Cinta by Glenn Fredly
Grand Final: Kuakui by Dewi Sandra
Grand Final: The Trouble With Love Is by Kelly Clarkson

Golden Memories Asia performances

Top 24: Jangan Biarkan by Diana Nasution
Top 20: Cinta Jangan Kau Pergi by Sheila Majid
Top 16: Tanda-tanda by Mus Mujiono
Top 12: Logika by Vina Panduwinata
Top 9 Show Seandainya Aku Punya Sayap by Rita Butar-butar
Top 9 Result: Mata Lelaki by Nicky Astria
Top 6 Show: Ekspresi by Titi DJ
Top 6 Result: Nuansa Bening by Keenan Nasution
Top 4 Show: Cinta by Titiek Puspa
Top 4 Result: TBA
Grand Final Show: TBA
Grand Final Result: TBA

Controversy

Before joining the Indonesian Idol competition, Tobing had released several records, mostly Christian songs and songs in her family's ethnic language, Batak. According to Tobing's father, BMG Indonesia had been informed about this during the parents' interview with BMG when she advanced to the finals. It became big news when Octopus Record published her old record, The Song Of Joy, around the same time as the release of Terima Kasih, her Idol album, and during her dispute with Indomugi Pratama and BMG Indonesia. The Song of Joy was recorded from 1998 to 1999 but had not been released until September 2004. According to Octopus Record, they had asked permission from BMG to release Tobing's old records. They also offered to buy the recording master from BMG so there would be no competition, but BMG refused.
The incidents between some finalists and the show management, Indomugi Pratama, had occurred previously. One of the Top 4, Helena Andrian, canceled her contract and had to withdraw from the competition shortly before the grand final, causing her to be hastily expelled in the middle of the night from the apartment provided for the finalists. According to Adrian, around 2–3 weeks before the grand final, the finalists were suddenly asked to sign a new contract with new show management, Indomugi Pratama, with little time to consult or think about the contents, and little information was provided regarding their future management program. Among the clauses with which she disagreed were that all finalists were bound to Indomugi Pratama until three months after the grand final when Indomugi Pratama would then decide who would stay with them for the following three years. Afterward, Indomugi Pratama would continue to receive royalties for a total of 15 years.