Goosebumps are guaranteed when you listen to this young star’s rendition of “All by Myself.” The range of notes she covers and her passionate performance shock even her piano player.
Take note of the look on his face around 3 minutes into the video, that is, if you can look away from Charice.
Who Is This Singer That Oprah Dubbed, ‘the Most Talented Girl in the World?’
Charice was born Charmaine Clarice Relucio Pempengco on May 10, 1992, in Cabuyao City, Laguna province, in the Philippines.
At 3, she saw her mother held at gunpoint during a domestic violence incident.
By age 7, she knew her single mother, Racquel, could use help with family bills, so she started entering singing competitions. She entered nearly a hundred contests, from local fiestas to TV competitions, helping to support her family along the way.
A Rising Star
You will notice Charice looks a little nervous at the start of the song, but it is not because she is inexperienced.
In 2005, ready for more than her local contests, she joined “Little Big Star,” the Philippine version of “American Idol.” Unfortunately, she was eliminated after just one performance, but they asked her back as a “wildcard,” and she made it to the finals! With the poise and voice control exhibited here, it’s easy to see why.
In 2007, FalseVoice, an enthusiastic supporter, placed her videos on YouTube, quickly getting her a fan base.
She is now a YouTube sensation with more than 15 million views. After listening to her cover of ‘All by Myself,’ it’s easy to understand her popularity.
2010 saw the release of her first international album, titled, “Charice.” It hit the Billboard 200 at No. 8, making her the first solo Asian singer to ever land in the Top 10.
Don’t Let Her Innocent Look Fool You
Later, the Ellen DeGeneres show hosted her, bringing Charice to the USA for the first time.
She has performed in palaces and for presidents. She has sung duets with such artists as Lena Park, Andrea Bocelli, and Celine Dion. After performing on the “Oprah Winfrey Show,” Oprah put the budding star in contact with David Foster.
You can see the young star is at home performing in front of an audience. And why not? She performed with David Foster at MGM Grand in Connecticut, the Mandalay Bay Resort in Vegas, and on “Good Morning America,” just for starters.
Star-Studded Performances
Pop legend Michael Jackson had his lawyer approach Charice after seeing videos of her dancing to his music, saying:
“I want this kid.”
Unfortunately, just two weeks before they were scheduled to perform together, the world was grieving the loss of the King of Pop.
On a Personal Note
The pain and passion seen in this video is sparked from her personal life. Charice grew up estranged from her father. In 2011, she shut down her Singapore concert after hearing the report that he was stabbed to death. Though the relationship was difficult, her Twitter account reflected her grief:
“I loved him and I will still love him. He’s still my Dad after all.”
2012 brought changes to her look. She was criticized for appearing too masculine, with a short, edgy haircut. By 2013, she confirmed that she was a lesbian in a Buzz interview. Though she hasn’t physically become a man, she has changed her looks and her name to match the feeling, as she put it, that:
“Basically, my soul is male.”
After her breakup with Alyssa Quijano, she adopted the name Jake Zyrus on her Instagram and Twitter accounts.
Does Charice Sound Familiar?
If you’re listening to her silky voice and thinking it sounds familiar, it’s likely you’ve seen or heard her performing on “Glee.” If you haven’t caught her dramatic voice here, watch her performance below.
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