Life is sweet for 17-year-old Charice Pempengco.
She has a record deal, she’s been on “Oprah,” she’s sung at Madison Square Garden with her idol Celine Dion and she’s making her first album with legendary producer/songwriter David Foster.
“It’s like my life is a fairy tale,” said Charice, who only uses her first name professionally. “I am always telling my mom to pinch my cheeks. I can’t believe this is happening.”
Charice is joining Foster, a 15-time Grammy winner, for the 10-city tour of “David Foster and Friends” coming to Boston this week.
The concert includes hits that have paved the way for many stars Foster worked with over the years, such as Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Michael Bublé, Andrea Bocelli, Chaka Khan, Madonna and Chicago.
The show’s lineup in Boston includes Philip Bailey from the chart-topping Earth, Wind and Fire, Charice, Peter Cetera, Deborah Cox, “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard and finalist Michael Johns, and The Canadian Tenors.
Charice was born and raised in the Philippines. Her mother, Raquel, split with her father when Charice was 3, reportedly because of domestic violence.
Her mother was a singer and would often take Charice to shows. Pretty soon little Charice was performing on stage herself. By the age of 7, Charice was entering local talent contests to help support her family.
Her career began to take off during her time on the Filipino show “Little Big Star,” which Charice says is a little like “American Idol.” (She took third place.)
A Web savvy fan posted her renditions of songs by Celine Dion and Mariah Carey on YouTube. The performances got millions of hits, and brought Charice to the attention of Oprah Winfrey, who had her on her show.
Through Winfrey, Charice met Foster, and the two began a collaboration.
“It’s been great, this such a different album for me. I am always singing other people’s songs,” Charice said. “I think it’s going to be a great album.”
Right now, Charice is focused on the concerts — and being thrilled by the fact that she gets recognized here in the U.S. by fans.
Fans can also expect celebrity visits at every stop. With one of Hollywood’s most impressive phone books, Foster has yet to reveal which guests might visit him on stage during the tour.
“Cher and Donny Osmond both surprised me in Las Vegas so I think people won’t be disappointed. I can certainly say each show will be very special and loads of fun. You never know what’s going to happen with this much talent on stage,” Foster said.
This will be the first time Foster takes “David Foster and Friends” on the road. The show was performed twice previously at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The first performance, which was featured as a “PBS Great Performances Special,” was the highest pledged PBS show in history.
Charice, Kathy Sledge, Lisa Smith & Deborah Cox
Charice & Brother Carl
If you go
What: David Foster and Friends
When: Sunday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m.
Where: Agganis Arena, 925 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
How: Tickets range from $55 to $125. Available at the box office, by calling 617-353-GOBU (4628) or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
By Rosemary Ford, Eagle Tribune; submitted by Jessica
You may also like to read:
- David Foster Brings Friends to Newark for Hit-Filled Concert
- Rosemont Theater, Rosemont, Illinois HIT MAN — David Foster & Friends — One Night Only! Wed October 21, 2009
- Charice Appearing with David Foster on Good Morning America in November
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Max (1045)
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I came from the Boston concert and went straight to my computer to share my experience. I was a able to get a 7th row seat right at the center of the stage … whooooaaahhh. The croud is probably 10 to 20% Filipino, most of the audiences are americans. The only standing ovation of the night (and was the long) was right after Charice sang the bodyguard medley. What surprised me really is that, a lot of people around me knew her…all I am definitely sure are not Filipinos. I can’t see Filipinos from where I was at in the first place. They were all amazed by her….there was even one lady who just sang along with her all the time with matching beating of her hands…nice beautiful night…
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Why not David FOster and friends in Hawaii?
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Carl is fun to watch too hehehe.
But Charice i think has that humor.. love that!
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i would appreciate if ..from now on for David Foster to introduce Charice as coming from ASIA instead of The Philippines …to embrace other Asian countries! Can someone tell DF about this please?
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Love these candid videos! I love seeing how playful Charice is backstage and how fun it can be behind the scenes. It’s part of the touring experience where you can be goofing around backstage but when it’s time to perform, the professionalism switch is on.
Keep loving what you do Charice, this is now part of your life. Live it to the fullest!!
Mamamia
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CUTE! Charice is so playful and really seems to be enjoying to be on tour. This feeling seems to be contagious and rubbing off on the whole cast. This comradeship will all the more make the tour more than successful. Yet she still has both feet on the ground. Love you Cha. Have a great show tonight!
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charice is really enjoyable to watch hehehe
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A Big “WOW”, Charice playfulness is one of her qualities that I like best so with her creativity of body movements as shown in the above video. Also shown is her being herself and can get along well with her co-artists.
Good luck to DF and Friends for the success of their Concert Tour.
More videos please, especially tonight’s show, Oh boy for sure we can rely on Jimfan huh.
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Wow, that is one of her qualities that I like about Charice, her playfulness and can tell her creativity in what she does on or off stage. Good luck to David Foster and Friends for their Concert Tour and wish you more success.
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