Filipinos are making waves in international music competitions as Australia-based Filipina Elysa Villareal joins two other Filipino acts in the next round of this year’s X Factor UK.
Villareal, also known as Elysa V, impressed with her groovy and powerful rendition of Fleur East’s “Sax”, earning her four yeses from the judges.
“For you, your mom, dad, everyone back home in Australia, it’s a yes,” said half-Filipina judge Nicole Scherzinger.
Elysa V, 18, flew in from Australia with her mother, Maria Theresa, to audition for the 14th season of the British music competition.
“I did X Factor UK because my genre is pop and I think they cater more for pop singers and I wanted to experience the international platform. When I got a yes from all of the judges I felt extremely blessed and happy,” Elysa told The Filipino Times.
She said being Filipino contributed to her passion for singing and performing on stage.
“I started singing on the karaoke at eight years old. The passion for singing and performing came when I was 12 years old and I decided this is what I want to do for the rest of my life,” she said.
Although born in Darwin, Australia, Elysa frequently visits the Philippines with her family, even joining noontime program It’s Showtime’s ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan’ in January this year.
“Thank you so much for all of the support. I hope that I make everyone back in the Philippines very proud.”
Elysa is no stranger to singing competitions. She auditioned for The Voice Australia in 2015 and also joined X Factor Australia, making it to the bootcamp for a group called Elev8.
She joins fellow Filipino acts Gaga Lord and JBK band in the hopes of winning The X Factor.
Photo credit: Elysa Paglinawan Villareal/Facebook
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