First there was Charice Pempengco. Now there is Susan Boyle.
Charice was a YouTube singing sensation who has graced such popular talk shows like Ellen and Oprah. Last I heard she will have a US album and will play a significant role in the sequel to Alvin and The Chipmunks. Filipinos everywhere are elated. Like this was the answer to poverty or corruption.
Now the world is fascinated at Susan Boyle. I already caught her name on Facebook postings and I wonder what the fuss was. Then I saw it on CNN. Turned out she is an unlikely Britain’s Got Talent (their version of American Idol) contestant. At first sight, she seems unbearably average (laughable even), but then she opened her mouth to sing and the rest is YouTube history.
I have nothing against these artists. They have indeed great talent and they deserve the recognition and attention. So for the record, I am not dissing them.
What I think is ironic in this equation is that they are regarded as novelty items. I am trying to be politically correct here... but they are “usual” people who posses unusual talent. Like a paraplegic who can paint with his feet. Or a 1-year old who can spell Czechoslovakia and Mississippi.
Case in point. Charice is not the best singer in this country. Sarah Geronimo can trump her any day of the week. But she became famous maybe because people are fascinated at how someone that little that young can have that voice. Same with Susan Boyle. Sarah Brightman and Charlotte Church achieved worldwide fame with the same voice, and with less of the media sensationalism. It's just that Susan Boyle looks like an "unlikely" singing superstar.
Plus, their star will only shine until the next online sensation is discovered, maybe in some remote Nepalese village (maybe someone with Susan Boyle’s voice but she can sing upside-down or while immersed in water). As much as we wished it for them, they will not be the next Mariah Carey or the next Justin Timberlake. Charice’s album has not even turned platinum here.
A reality check for Charice: Lea Salonga was a multi-awarded theatre actress and the voice behind popular Disney characters. But she never made it that big in the US, pop-wise. And Lea already has everything...the talent, the looks (she was named one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful at one time) and the hype.
In today’s world of YouTube and Google phenomenon, the proverbial 5 minutes of fame is within arm’s length of any one. But that’s just that... flashes in the pan. People might argue that this is better than nothing at all. And I respect that. To each, his own.
This is just a sincere call to enjoy it while it lasts. Like anything in life. Make the most out of it.
2 comments:
Lea doesn't have Oprah or David Foster behind her, does she? Lea didn't make it big in pop, because that's not her genre. She made it big in theatre during her time. I guess you are comparing two different things here. There's no youtube during Leah's time.
If favoring one thing over another is dumb, then NOT respecting people's opinion is DUMBER.
Face this reality: Everything is relative and subjective. I am just stating my two cent's worth.
Thanks for reading anyway; appreciate it. Peace, man!
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