The internationally renowned Filipino singer, Charice Pempengco, has boldly made it known to the public that she is in fact a lesbian. The 21 -year old recently appeared on the Filipino show “The Buzz” and revealed all to talk show host, Boy Abunda. Pempengo sported a new haircut and a new tattoo- only a few things which added fuel to the fire of rumors regarding her sexuality.
While pointing out that Pempengco owed no one an apology, Abunda went straight to the point and asked her whether or not she was a lesbian. Pempengco admitted yes with “Opo, tomboy po ako.”
Charice went into detail about her decision to reveal her sexuality in the Philippines. Explaining that she owes a lot to her home country, she decided they should be the first to know.
Charice went on to ask for forgiveness from her family and fans who may be shocked with her reveal. She explains how she took a break to herself and put a lot of thought into how she would reveal her identity. She went on to say that for much of her life, she did things for her family, but this was for her:
“Lahat po ng ginawa ko, ‘yung nagpa-tattoo ako, nagpagupit po ako ng buhok ko, alam ko pong very risky pero ginusto ko po. Hindi po dahil sa nagre-rebelde ako o sinaktan ako ng pamilya ko o ng ibang tao or depressed ako, hindi po. Ginawa ko po ‘yun dahil ‘yun ang gusto ko,”
(translation: A lot of what I did, getting a tattoo, cutting my hair, I know it was very risky, but I wanted it. Its not because I’m rebelling or because my family hurt me or because I’ve become a new person or because I’m depressed. I did these things because this is what I want.)
Pempengco continued to tearfully apologize to her family and admitted that they are currently not in the best of terms. This doesn’t seem to be her only struggle. People in her neighborhood who have been discovering her identity have already showered her with an array of insults and jokes.
Despite this rough time, Charice will not let this dampen her career. She confirmed that she will still continue singing and will begin recording soon.
Watch the interview here:
(source)
At the age of 25, Clara C has become quite the youtube sensation. After only four years since her big break, this Audrey favorite has already set a great example for young Asian American women hoping to pursue their dreams. The young artist has decided to focus her attention on the thing she loves most- music. And what if (knock on wood) music doesn’t work out for her? She has a Psychology degree in her pocket to turn to. Beauty, talent, and brains? See for yourself. Check out Clara C’s new music video below:
Judith Hill performing “What a Girl Wants” on The Voice.
Season 4 of The Voice is here! Christina and Ceelo are sitting out this season – and I’ll say that I’m pretty pleased with Shakira and Usher filling in their shoes. Monday night’s premiere episode opened up with a big bang (complete with a lovely rendition of The Beatles’ “Come Together” by the four judges). However, what REALLY caught my eye was seeing two Asian women appear as contestants on the show (and both from Los Angeles!): Leah Lewis and Judith Hill. Fifteen year old Lewis is an adoptee from Shanghai, while singer-songwriter Hill has made a name for herself when she caught the attention of the world as she sang the lead on “Heal the World” at Michael Jackson’s funeral. Lewis didn’t get selected to a team, but Hill got all four judges to turn around for her (she eventually went with Adam Levine).
Leah Lewis performing “Blown Away”
Meet Judith Hill!
Judith Hill singing “What a Girl Wants”
Need a new artist to follow? We’ve got just the girl! Check out Ka Lia Kang‘s music video for her single “Empty Soul”. Kang beautifully sings about the pains of heartbreak and false love. She may be young, but this girls got a big voice. We can’t wait to see whats in store for her.
It’s that time of year again – Forbes Korea unveiled their power ranking for celebrities for 2013. For the last two years, the nine member Girls’ Generation topped the power ranking list. Did they maintain the top position this year? Click on to find out!
When asked to describe the new and emerging Malaysian singer, Yunalis Zarai, or her stage name Yuna, the word “unique” should come up. Everything about Yuna, who hails from one of Malaysia’s federal capital, Kuala Lumpur, is simply unique. From her music to her journey to where she is right now is just unique. Her hit single, produced by Pharrell, “Live Your Life,” and the rest of her songs on her first album, “Yuna,” is the type of music you can’t categorize or label it a genre. Even Yuna, herself, can’t seem to classify it, let alone describe it. However, that’s the beauty of Yuna and her music. As she claimed during our interview, her voice is the only component in all of her songs that holds them together – the rest is just a little bit of everything: everything from Malaysia to America. Her soft, folk-like voice with a twist from her Malaysian accent that sings songs that were inspired from her travels is another element that makes Yuna unique and is what made Pharrell want to jump in the studio with her and her recording label, Fader. In a society where its pop culture is a pool of artists with a pattern of similar types of music and personas, Yuna isn’t afraid to be herself – especially when it comes to her music.
Having an updated vlog on YouTube is another way that Yuna shows to her fans who she really is and how genuine her music is. She claims that she doesn’t need to put up an act around her fans and she most definitely prides herself in not being a gimmick in current day’s pop culture. This is why she is not afraid to reveal that she has learned and grown from working with Pharrell and that her knowledge in music has expanded since her music days in law school. That’s right, Yuna was once a law school student and once had dreams of becoming a lawyer. However, she discovered her talent in songwriting and music during her final year in law school when she began to hang out with independent musicians and decided to chase after a career in music. Letting her strong intrigue in their mere independence in music guide her, she soon began to teach herself how to play the guitar, write songs, and produce them. Her unique style in music and her voice is just what this society needs: genuine, real music with no outrageous costumes, smoke machines, and flashy lights. Continue reading for the full interview and for her music!
Courtesy of www.ThisSoundGoesAround.com
While so many celebrities are famous for no good reason, Mara Measor stands out as a girl with real talent. This actress, singer-songwriter, and musician is a triple threat with something to prove.
It shocks us still that 48-year-old Whitney Houston has passed away. Though her last few years have been marked by substance abuse, drunken performances and a mess of a love life, Whitney’s golden years cannot be forgotten. This was the voice who gave us classics including, “I Will Always Love You,” “How Will I Know,” and “Saving All My Love For You.” Whitney also inspired a generation of balladeers and divas — everyone from Beyonce to Christina Aguilara.
Though it was Jennifer Hudson who sang the tribute for Whitney at this year’s Grammy’s, our favorite tribute has been 17-year-old Filipino singer Charice Pempengco’s tear-strewn “I Will Always Love You.” Capturing Ms. Houston’s subtle, emotive, melismatic (melismas are those quick runs up or down the scale on one syllable) style best, Charice reminds us of the legacy one woman has left behind.
Singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata rediscovers her soul with her long-awaited third album, Chesapeake.
ISSUE: Fall 2011
DEPT: Personalities
STORY: Janice Jann
Those accustomed to hearing singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata’s smoky voice breaking from all the pain and heartbreak she endured in her first two albums, Happenstance and Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Heart, will need to take a second listen to Chesapeake, her first studio album in three years. “This record [has] a sense of humor, looseness and spontaneity,” says the Japanese-Caucasian American. “There’s still depth to these songs, but there’s sort of a jovial sense about them — it’s new for me.”
Yamagata, 33, credits her fresh outlook with the way the record was produced. “We were literally sleeping on air mattresses; I’ve got a tent pitched up outside, and we’re grilling food together,” Yamagata recounts. “It was a very camp-like, home-style situation.”
Recording in the bathtub of a friend’s house may seem like something a novice would do, but Yamagata, who
was previously with two major record- ing studios, has sung duets with Ray Lamontagne and Mandy Moore, and finds her songs taking up airtime on Grey’s Anatomy, How I Met Your Mother, and the new Muppets movie, is already a music industry veteran.
Though Yamagata is grateful for all the creative people that have championed her career, she found herself splitting with Warner Bros. Records about a year ago. “I think the pressure these labels are under to find ways for the music business to survive, it just was not the right envi- ronment for me anymore,” says Yamagata. The urge to reconnect with her fans and get new music out led Yamagata to re-team with her Happenstance producer, John Aliaga. Yamagata assembled a “dream team” of a band and began to make music right out of Aliaga’s house. Financial support for the album came through PledgeMusic, a leading online platform for musicians and fans to help raise funds. “It’s nice to know that there are people out there waiting to hear new music,” she says. “The [fans are] so supportive and the comments rolling in are mind-boggling sweet.”
Though Yamagata’s sultry vocals are the selling point of her music, the songstress’ first love is songwriting, which she picked up when she started touring with the funk-fusion band Bumpus in the mid-’90s. “The way somebody gets the acting bug and needs to delve into a character, I got it through songwriting,” says Yamagata. “You can see metaphors all over the place if you’re paying attention.”
After Yamagata self-releases Chesapeake on her own label, Frankenfish Records, she’ll begin touring October 24. Some of the places Yamagata hopes to hit are Asia, Australia and Hawaii. “I love to travel,” says Yamagata with a laugh. It sounds like Yamagata will have much to sing about.
— Janice Jann
More stories from Audrey Magazine’s Archives here.
We love our Dia Frampton here at Audrey Magazine so when we heard that the singer was going to be appearing at our sister publication, KoreAm Journal‘s elite Unforgettable gala, we decided to invited her to pick out a dress from Sue Wong‘s LA showroom and chat about her new single, “The Broken Ones,” and her upcoming album, Red. (Okay, okay, we also chatted a bit about dresses)
Check out our interview below! Continue Reading »
