Question: Who has influenced your personal musical style?
Answer: I have many who have inspired me musically. Most artists that I've listened to during the last several yaers have added up into the way that I sing today. I feel most comfortable keeping versatile when it comes to music genres. Depending on the song, really.
Question: Who is your favorite male artist and why?
Answer: I love Jason Mraz for not only his amazing ability to sing just as incredible, if not better during his live performances rather than his own recordings, but also his amazing ability to write such complex songs that are very mutual and universal.
Question: Who is your favorite female artist and why?
Answer: My favorite female artist would have to be either Ella Fitzgerald, Adele, Etta James, or Sia. I can't decide on one since these women sing so differently from each other. Ella's got that cool, jazzy quality that I just love. Adele is increible; I can't resist her beautiful voice. Etta's voice is so rich and soulful; she's inspired me since the start, and she's never ceased to. And Sia puts me into my celestial zone of music.
Question: What was the first concert you attended?
Answer: When I was six years old, I was invited to my very first concert as an opening act for Rey Valera, a famous singer/songwriter in the Philippines. This was in San Jose, CA.
Question: If you could perform in any venue in the world, where would that be? Why?
Answer: If I could perform in any venue in the world, it would definitely be the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London. I'd love the opportunity to revel in the energy of such a huge, amazing venue.
Question: How has music inspired you?
Answer: Describing the person I am would best be through music. When I'm up on stage and I'm singing my heart out, I am always reminded of life's best things.
Question: Do you have any formal singing training?
Answer: I wanted a vocal coach when I was younger, so I tried it out when I was six. My vocal coach and I are still keeping in touch.
Question: What album would your friends be surprised you own?
Answer: My friends know I'm pretty versatile when it comes to music, so they most likely wouldn't be.
Question: If you could perform with any person or group, who would it be and why?
Answer: I think it'd be quite interesting if I had gotten the chance to perform with Jason Mraz.
Question: What do you do to unwind after a performance?
Answer: Depending on how the performance went, I'm either relaxing or spending some good times with my family and my friends.
Question: Which theme week would be most challenging to you and why?
Answer: It depends on the song, really, rather than the music genre. I generally like to change the song into something slightly different. Few may be a challenge, but it's always nice learning things that are new to you.
Question: What theme week would you love to have for Season 10?
Answer: Big band, soul, classical, and reggae would make up amazing theme weeks.
Question: What’s your dream song to perform?
Answer: My dream song to perform would be "I Who Have Nothing" inside Radio City Music Hall. It's been a dream of mine.
Question: What makes a great performer?
Answer: Feeling emotionally connected to a song, and accumulating every bit of the moment's energy to sing out to the audience is what I believe makes a great performer.
Question: How do you combat stage fright?
Answer: Rehearsing in a room with very few people, for me, can be so nerve-wracking sometimes, whereas being on stage makes up a whole different atmosphere. I like to, and even most times without knowing it, set myself aside from where I would be now, to just my vision evolving into reality.
Question: How do you plan on differentiating yourself in the competition?
Answer: When I was younger, I've always wanted to be the modern day pop version of Shirley Temple. Haha, but as of right now, I would definitely
Question: If you could model your career after an artist, who would it be and why?
Answer: I have many musical inspirations, but I would really love to just be me. My very own artist.
Question: If you couldn’t sing, what other talent would you most like to have?
Answer: My other talents are writing, playing the guitar and the piano. I would very much love to get back into acting to quite possibly even become an actress someday.
Question: What has been the most unique job/chore you’ve ever had?
Answer: I've never had a job, nor do I today, except for the many times my seven year old niece would play me on Idol and would "assign" me to be one of the judges.
Question: How would you define success in life?
Answer: Never giving up, and remembering that the best is yet to come, and knowing that the world is smaller than you think, and the people on it are more beautiful than you think (Because ugly counts only in action, really). There's enough common sense to not judge before having any idea what a person's journey is all about. Also, never let emotions take you, never let anything take you; you continue on treading, running, flying, what have you.
Question: What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever seen or experienced??
Answer: During cattle call inside a huge venue, it was almost time for me to go down and audition. Minutes before my group and I had to go down, I had to use the restroom last minute and couldn't wait so I ran to the restrooms as quickly as I could. Unfortunately, I was wearing black tights and a romper. Once I finally got 'em down, I missed the toilet. I felt embarrassed enough, but outside was a huge line of people. The lady who went after me gave me this really dirty look.
Question: What’s your proudest moment in life outside of American Idol?
Answer: I feel my proudest moment in life was when my dad was in the hospital after he had suffered a heart attack, and this was during my elementary school talent show. He couldn't come to see me as badly as he wanted to, so I brought the show to him. Right after I had finished the show, we drove straight to the hospital in my little golden gown. I performed for him for the longest time, hoping that way I'd make him feel better. I'd never seen my dad so happy. I could never forget it.
Question: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
Answer: People would be surprised to learn that one of the very first music genres that I started out with was Rap. I used to always rap to my big brother about how he and I would always be the bestest of friends. This was back when I was about seven. I can also fake a few accents.
Question: If you have 24 hours to do anything you wanted, what would you do?
Answer: If I had 24 hours to do anything I wanted, the first would be to fly out to Europe and explore the country I've been dreaming of visiting ever since I could possibly remember.
Question: Who is the person that you would most like to meet?
Answer: The person that I've always wanted to meet, although she's passed, is my great-grandmother. I hear so many lovely things about this person, and from I've heard, she seems just like my mom. She'd be my best friend too if she were still alive. Musically, I'd have to say Edith Piaf. When I first saw her movie, La Vie En Rose, I fell in love with her and had been contemplating of her stil being alive today and how incredible it would truly be to meet her.
Question: Do you have a favorite quote, phrase or personal motto / words to live by?
Answer: We are all as much as we can dream.
Question: What’s been the most surprising part of the Idol experience so far?
Answer: The whole experience has been of surprising twists and turns, but despite all the bustling about, the stress and anticipation, every moment spent performing and being with such amazing people has made it all worthwhile.I really can't imagine how anyone wouldn't want the opportunity to experience and enjoy this like my fellow contestant and I have. It's been quite amazing.
Question: What have you learned about yourself by going through the Idol audition process?
Answer: I've never realized just how strong I was until making it here. I sometimes ask myself if this is all just pretense. It's just been so incredible.
Question: What are you hoping to get out of your Idol experience?
Answer: I'd love to render what I dream of now, a reality, and that is to hopefully become the next American Idol. I've always wanted to travel the world and enable myself to share what I have with others along the way, because the point of music for me is to connect with people, and most ultimately, myself. I feel happiest when singing and letting myself out there through music. I've done so much musically, but i've never really had the break I've been dreaming to have so badly. I may be young, but I have faith that now is finally my time.
It showed a very relaxed side of you and people could hear your beautiful voice.