Home > Past Buzz > Karaoke Queen Wins "Fame"
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August 3, 2004
Boston.com News

HEINOLA, Finland (Reuters) - An Austrian man and a Lebanese woman were crowned king and queen of karaoke at the world championships after treating a crowd in Finland to a Bon Jovi classic and the theme of the 1980s musical "Fame."

Thomas Strubler won the men's contest Sunday with his version of "This Ain't a Love Song," while Samantha Sayegh of Lebanon confessed to being "very excited and very surprised" to win the women's crown with "Fame."

Entrants from across the globe at the second running of the event were judged on voice, rhythm, expression, presence and entertainment value during the four-day contest.

"We have enough turmoil in the world, we need this," said 61 year-old Irishwoman Margaret Graham who flew from Texas to watch her nephew perform in the town of Heinola, some 90 miles from Helsinki.

The winners walked away with $1,200 each but the money was perhaps not the point.

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