By Joy Fang

LADY Gaga, it turns out, has an Asian twin.

Former Hong Kong Disneyland stage performer Adrienne Vergara, 25, who appears on Asian reality- television show HP Space, is certainly as flamboyant as her idol.

Sporting fake eyelashes - a trademark of her idol, Gaga (real name Stefani Germanotta) - as well as splashy costumes, Vergara, originally from the Philippines, also turns heads with elaborate hairdos.

What is she competing in, exactly?

Well, she's part of an eight-part series (this week's episode is the fifth) that has gathered contestants from 10 Asian countries - including China, India, South Korea, the Philippines and Singapore - who are from the creative fields of design, art, film and publishing.

They compete in weekly challenges that include designing and constructing a visual installation, producing an animated short film and converting an empty room into a chic space.

The last man standing gets a grand prize of US$50,000 (S$69,545) and a job working on the live-action remake of cult anime classic Bubblegum Crisis in Australia.

Perhaps Vergara is a tad out of place in the show, since her credentials as an entertainer - she has a background in theatre - don't quite put her on par with the others, who have backgrounds in design or art and are more suited to the tasks.

GIGGLY:Adrienne Vergara may be fun, but is there any substance to her on HP Space?

However, she makes the show watchable. She's giggly and fun, and injects humour into the hour-long show.

It's true that, like Gaga, her act can get a little old at times.

You start to wonder if there is anything substantial beneath the powdered fluff. Perhaps she's overcompensating, something you could arguably accuse Gaga of as well.

Could it be a huge insecurity complex that has such personalities putting on bizarre acts?

It's a question you ask of Vergara, but judge for yourself.

This week, she appears in a bright blue fluorescent wig, matching blue boots and bracelets, a short skirt and fishnet stockings.

When the groups had to do an impromptu fashion show, she made a sizzling noise before sexily putting her forefinger on her skin. Theatrical indeed.

Another contestant worth noting is Singaporean art director David Tang, 28, who is also the only Singaporean left in the show (the other two were eliminated two weeks ago).

At first glance, he looks like any ordinary, unassuming boy-next-door, but he has a wicked sense of humour that surprises you.

In the first episode, the easygoing Tang said: "I like the fame more than the prize. I would love to be mobbed by teenage to 25-year-old girls."

And then he mouthed: "Call me."

A Chinese guy with a cheeky attitude. We like.

joyfang@sph.com.sg

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