Who she is
Ma-Anne Dionisio is a Manila-born, Canadian singer and actress currently starring in Miss Saigon as Kim, a role she first played in the original Toronto production back in 1993. Since 1993, she has toured with Miss Saigon all over the world and is once again on the Toronto stage until Aug. 1 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.
What she drives:
A 2007 golden-coloured Honda Odyssey “we call Her Majesty because she’s a queen (laughs).”
Why did you choose the Odyssey?
I have three children (11, five and four years old) and I test drove a few minivans before choosing this one. Honda’s a very reliable car; she’s just beautiful. I use her a lot to ferry the kids around and to drive between cities when I’m performing. She has a lot of room but drives just like a car. She has an amazing sound system. I warm up in the van all the time. Actually, as funny as it sounds, I’m more comfortable singing on my own in the car or when I’m drying my hair than in front of an audience. I get stage fright (laughs).
What type of driver are you?
My son calls me the best driver in the world, second to my father, who taught me how to drive. I’m not aggressive, definitely defensive. I’m always very safe. We’ve taken lots of road trips with the kids across North America so they’ve seen almost everything on this continent.
What is your dream car?
An Audi! An Audi A4 convertible, please! I haven’t thought of a colour yet, though. Something on the lighter side. Or, if I went dark with the exterior, I’d go light with the interior.
What would we find in your glove compartment?
You’d find an extra pair of glasses for my daughter in case her pair breaks, because with kids accidents happen. You’d find an instruction manual for the car, insurance papers, the registration, a couple of napkins in case of a spill, a couple of little toys and gadgets for the kids and at least one pen. All very practical (laughs).
Heather Buchan is a Toronto-based journalist whohas worked at Homemakers,Canadian Living, Canadian House & Homeand, most recently,Hello! Canada, where she cut her teeth in the world of celebrities.
