The strange case of
Nicole vs. the Laotians

    In an interview with NJ Magazine, Thai superstar Nicole Theriault, 28, had tears in her eyes as she discussed the occusation that described laotian women as "dirty" during an interview on a TV talk show last month
    In one of the stranger news stories of the year, the young singer suddenly became the enermy of laotian women over something she probably even say!
    The story broke after the nation recieved letters from Laos concerning Nicole's answer to the programme host's question about which country she wouldn't like to go. The letters claimed that Nicole said, "Laos, because the women are dirty." After the news was published a lot of Lao women got mad and boycotted her album in Laos.
    The news was especially surprising to Nicole, who claimed she didn't say it!
"The news really upset me. I was mad and worried because of it." she said.
    The first comments came from the Lao Women's Union. Official Manivone Luansombath expressed anger at Nicole's comments. "It's very unfortunate that an educated and talented woman like Nicole would say such a thing. I was shock when I herd it" Manivone said.
    The situation become even more serious when threats were made that copies of Nicole new album, Funny Lady, would be sent back to Thailand, but Manivone stopped that action.
    Manivone and other lao weman that Nicole had made the statement. Manivone said she saw it and heed it with her own eyes and ears.
    Nicole had apparently made the remarks on the channel 3 programme At Ten. She was on the show with Thongchai McIntyre and Nat Myria promoting their upcoming musical.
"We talked about our musical, our fans and concert tours. I'm sure that I never said about Laos" Nicole said.
    At Ten sent a copy of the programme to the Nation for a review, but there were fears the tape could have been edited.
    However NJ Magazine obtained a copy of the show that was broadcast March 14, The tape did not come from the TV producer but was recorded from TV broadcast.
    There are three parts of the interview. Most of the interview was about the musical and there were some questions specifically to Nicole about the retouched pictures of her that were published on the Internet, as well as questions about her boyfriend. 
    There was only one question to which Nicole's answer was about another country. Bird has just said that after his last album was released he went to Switzerland. Nicole was asked "What have you been doing since your album became so popular ?" Nicole answered "I have another home in California. It's my grandfather and grandmother's house but I don't often go there."
    Then the question was put to Nat. Apart from this question, Nicole didn't say anything about other country. There was no mentions of Laos. "Even thought this news has made me feel uncomfortable, I'm not mad at Laotian people. I don't think they intended to slander me, but there was some misunderstanding" she said.
     The mystery remains, how could morn than one person hear something that wasn't said? Is this a plot to hurt Nicole's career? Was it alien?
    Perhaps we'll never know.

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