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And so we hear that the long-running American Idol is ending. The show’s 15th and final season will air in January 2016, which promises to be a “season-long celebratory event” that will pay tribute to past seasons of “amazingly talented contestants” and to the millions of fans who watched the show and selected its winners.
Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick Jr., will be returning as judges. Ryan Seacrest, will of course be the host, as he’s always been.
American Idol premiered in 2002 and quickly produced pop stars like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. It also became a platform for many Filipino-Americans, who in turn, instantly became celebrities in our shores. Check out the ten below:
1. Jessica Sanchez
In season 11, a 15-year-old Jessica Sanchez constantly wowed the crowd and the judges with her birits. She was the runner-up for that season, which was the closest Filipinos, well Fil-Ams, got to winning American Idol.
Winning Performance: Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”
2. Camille Velasco.
You can say that during the third season of American Idol, Fil-Ams ruled the stage. Makati-born Camille Velasco was one of two Fil-Am finalists that season. While it was her rendition of Lauren Hill’s “Ready or Not” that got even Simon Cowell to praise her, it was her “One Last Cry” rendition that did everyone over.
Remember this: Brian McKnight’s “One Last Cry”
3. Jasmine Trias
Jasmine is the other, more successful Fil-Am who wowed everyone on the show’s third season. The charming chinita, whose lineage can be traced to Tanza, Cavite, was had been the highest placing Fil-Am until Jessica Sanchez happened eight seasons later.
How can you forget: “Inseparable”
4. Jose ‘Sway’ Penala
In the season where AI first had a male winner, Fil-Am Jose ‘Sway’ Penala was there to represent the Philippines. He was one of the male semi-finalists and the only Asian-American to do so, that season.
If you must be reminded: Earth Wind and Fire’s “Reasons”
5. Brad Estrin
Thanks to Brad Estrin, Filipinos were represented in the debut season of American Idol way back in 2002. He made it to the first semifinal voting rounds but then failed to progress. What’s he up to now? Golly wow, the guy is trying his hands on…acting.
Straight from the archives: James Ingram’s “Just Once”
6. Jordan Segundo
Jordan Segundo was in the season where Ruben Studdard emerged the winner — you know, the season that featured Clay Aiken and David Cook. Anyway, Fil-Am Jordan, who hails from Hawaii, reached the first semifinals voting round. While that was a quick run, his AI participation allowed him to sing for then-President Bush, and what do you know? Jordan is actually a recording artist, now.
Winning performance: Stevie Wonder’s “For Your Love”
7. Malaya Watson
Malaya Watson was only 17 years old when she joined American Idol last year. Her mother is a Filipina nurse, while her father is a professional guitar player. Her audition song? No less than Aretha’s “Ain’t No Way.”
Don’t remember? “I am Changing”
8. Sharon Galvez
Remember Sharon Galvez? Of course you don’t! Before joining the fourth season of American Idol, we knew Sharon to be Zhar Santos of…Smokey Mountain. She made it all the way to the Top 24. An abrupt journey, we know.
Give na give performance: Whitney Houston’s “Saving All My Love.”
9. Thia Megia
When Idol cut down the age requirement to 15 years old, 16-year-old Pampanga native Thia Megia was one rushed to join the talent show. Her audition song? Adele’s “Chasing Pavements.”
Cute! “Out Here on my Own”
10. Renaldo Lapuz
Wearing an all-white ensemble, fur, top hat, cape, and all, Renaldo Lapuz was the necessary evil on AI’s season 7. He was the annoying nuisance candidate who auditioned singing his own song, “We’re Brothers Forever.”
The necessary evil: “We’re Brothers Forever”
11. AJ Tabaldo
This half-Filipino half-Portuguese could easily pass for an African-American, what with his grooves and his moves and his voice. He actually joined for AI a whopping five times before finally making the cut in 2007 for the 6th season.
Groovy performance: “All my Love”
12. Ramiele Malubay
Countering the annoyance of Renaldo Lapuz is Ramiele Malubay, a small and Filipina with a huge voice. She auditioned with an Aretha, “You make me feel like a natural woman.” She made it to 9th place, getting eliminated during Dolly Parton week.
Winning performance: Thelma Houston’s Don’t Leave Me This Way
With a report from AFP
