Are you looking for a fun variety show to sing along with? Look no further, NBC's "That's My Jam" with host, Jimmy Fallon is back for it's second season with a few of your favorite artists taking the stage. Those included this season so far are Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Criss, and Saweetie. Check out these previews below!
Cover Photo Credit: NBC
Filipinos came in style to Coachella Valley this year, whether it was checking out the LIVE performances at the festivals or mansion hopping to the various lounges and house parties in the desert. See a list of some of our favorite outfits below. Fill out the form and let us know who YOU think had the best outfit or was had Coachella style that you would wear as well. Everyone that submits an answer will be automatically entered to win tickets to an upcoming MYX virtual concert so you can have your own Couch-ella at home!
Cover Photo Credit: Vanessa and Stella Hudgens
One of the most popular music festivals, Coachella was back this past weekend after a 2 year hiatus. A huge lineup was set from Harry Styles, Billie Eillish, and The Weeknd headlining each night. However, Filipino musicians also take the stage like EYEDRESS and beabadoobee performing at the Sonora and Gobi stages. Besides the music, the fashion is one of the most talked about points during the 2-weekend festival and some of your favorite Filipino stars enjoyed the desert vibe while looking chic. Lets take look at some of the outfits worn in Weekend 1.
Vanessa and Stella Hudgens
Vanessa Hudgens is the queen of Coachella and her outfits do not disappoint. The wanderlust looks she bought to the festival throughout the years is a staple that isn't going anywhere. This year, the Hudgens sisters dress up in PowerPuff Girls colors in pink, blue, and green.
Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger brings the animal print pattern to the desert. The outfit screams boho-chic plus it's paired with oversized sunnies and accessories to complement, it's perfect.
Valkyrae
Valkyrae keeps it comfy and simple in a two-piece outfit with mesh pants. Whenever at Coachella, you definitely have to keep yourself cool so you can't forget the bucket hat!
Saweetie
Ate Icy brings the color with reds, blues, and gold in her outfit. We're loving the hair and the two-piece outfit designed with a textured pattern.
Erin Lim
The E! Entertainment host hangs out at the Revolve Fest and talks to many of the celebrities passing by including Kim K. Erin keeps it cool and flowy with a white ensemble and a cute space bun. This outfit is going to the archive for summer fits!
Raissa Gerona
The Chief Brand Officer for Revolve brings the groovy vibes to the festival. Hosting the Revolve pool party was the place to be with everyone from celebs to influencers popping by for drinks and IG-worthy backdrops.
EYEDRESS
A Sunday performer, EYEDRESS was in the middle of the action, hanging out in the pit with Jaden Smith. The Filipino artist stuck with the basics in an all-black outfit with brown chest strap.
Jen DeLeon
Twitch host, Jen DeLeon went with a retro look in a halter and skirt combo. Her fit plus the backdrop behind one of the iconic Coachella structure, it didn't miss. She's there to cover all sorts of Coachella content from the sets, looking for the best outfits, best food, and more.
Miss Kay aka Keiffer
Miss Kay slays Coachella in a leather outfit. She blazes through the desert heat with a smile and a dope oversized leather blazer. We need to know where it's from!
Bretman Rock
Bretman rocks all 3 days in different looks, but our favorite is the princess-inspired look rocking all the shimmers and glitters possible.
Bella Poarch
Bella keeps it fun and flirty in another retro pattern that's sure to stick out. Her signature long braids adds to the look and can we talk about her leg warmers!
Jay-R and Mica
The couple take to the dessert in a desert appropriate rock and cowgirl themed outfit. Mica rocks a cowboy hat and mixes it with a boho-fringe top with boots for the dusty conditions. Jay-R keeps it rock-n-roll with KISS muscle tee ready to fend away the bright weather.
beabadoobee
The Fil-British Coachella performer chose a young and fun mini dress outfit before taking the stage. She kept it chic and simple showing off her body artwork.
Can't wait to see what kind of outfits will be at Weekend 2 of Coachella!
Cover Photo Credit: Valkyrae Instagram
We can't get enough of these live shows that have been happening! It takes us on a specific experience where we watch a Broadway-style show from the comfort of our homes. So far, productions like Grease and How the Grinch Stole Christmas have aired, but now we get another classic with Annie Live! The sun is definitely coming out in this production that premieres for one night only on December 2nd at 8pm ET/PT on NBC.
Casting has been set with Celina Smith as Annie, Harry Connick Jr. as Sir Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks, Taraji P. Henson as Miss Hannigan, Nicole Scherzinger as Grace Farrell, and more. Nicole's role of Grace Farrell is "Daddy" Warbucks' assistant and a mother figure to Annie.
According to Deadline, Nicole said, “Musical theater has always made my heart soar, so I’m over the moon to join this amazing cast for such a great classic.” Her character also traditionally sings in various musical numbers like “You Make Me Happy,” “You Won’t Be an Orphan for Long,” “Annie,” and more!
The character of Grace traditionally participates in musical productions as “I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here,” “N.Y.C.,” “You Make Me Happy,” “You Won’t Be an Orphan for Long,” “Annie,” and “New Deal for Christmas.” We hope to hear Nicole's voice in a number on the live show!
Annie Live! is produced by Robert Greenblatt, Neil Meron and Alex Rudzinsky and co-directed by Lear deBessonet and Alex Rudzinski with choreography by Sergio Trujillo. This will definitely get you in the holiday spirit if you aren't already! Let's be real here, we've been in holiday mode since September.
Want to catch up on what Nicole Scherzinger has been up to? We sat down with her not too long ago to chat about her reimagined Tagalog song, "Pangako" for Troy Laureta's OPM project, Kaibigan: A Troy Laureta OPM Collective, Vol. 1. She also dished about her journey, her experience in the Philippines, and Filipino food. Check it all out below!
Cover Photo Credit: Nicole Scherzinger Facebook
Nicole Scherzinger from the group, The Pussycat Dolls is part of Troy Laureta's Kaibigan OPM Collective. This may be the first time we hear Nicole singing in Tagalog. The original version of Pangako was done by Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez Alcasid and written by Ogie Alcasid.
This is what Troy had to say about the classic song:
"...This song is basically like singing your wedding vows, letting your loved one know how much you love them and promising that you will never leave their side. I’ve loved this song since I saw it in a teleserye as a kid. The beautiful melody is what always gets me and is quintessential Filipino love song. When I thought about who would do this song justice, I thought of one person. An icon. A vision. My Hawaiian sister. A Filipina. My fourth #KAIBIGAN, @NicoleScherzinger! I’ve loved Nicole since I could remember, and being able to work with her solidified both my love and respect for her Aloha spirit and her impeccable talent. She came in and slayed it like an OPM Queen! I couldn’t ask for a better #KAIBIGAN."
Read all of it here
Download / stream here debuting on 11/22!
About Nicole Scherzinger:
Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente is a Filipina American singer & TV personality. Born in Hawaii, and raised in Kentucky, she performed in plays & went to study at Wright State University, before dropping out to pursue a musical career with American rock band Days of the New and later found success in 2001 upon winning a place in Eden's Crush, a girl group created through The WB's Popstars.
As the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, they became one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. She won Dancing with the Stars (2010) and served as a judge on multiple television talent shows like The Sing-Off (2009-2010), Australia's Got Talent (2019) and most notably The X Factor UK (2012-2017) for four series. She currently serves as a panelist on The Masked Singer.
About Troy Laureta:
Laureta, who has gained recognition for his works with Ariana Grande, David Foster and Jake Zyrus, has also previously worked with Andrea Bocelli, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Steven Tyler, The Pussycat Dolls, and several Filipino artists including Jay-R, Kyla, and Lani Misalucha.
Born to Filipino parents, Laureta grew up in Hawaii and later moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue his music career. As a well known musical director, he has an eclectic taste in music, enjoying pop, R&B, ballad music, reggae & punk.
TAYO HOTLIST:
Troy Laureta’s OPM Kaibigan Collective Album Vol. 1 released this week and has been receiving great feedback globally! We were lucky to attend a media conference for this wonderfully orchestrated album. The event hosted by MJ Felipe, we had a chat with Troy along with a few of his friends featured in the album: Matt Bloyd, Cheesa, Pia Toscano, Sheléa, and Jake Zyrus. Other artists also included in the album are Nicole Scherzinger, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, and AILEE. Here’s a rundown of what went into making the album, who was excited to be part of the project, and what this collection means for OPM.
The OPM Collection is a dream come true for Troy
Growing up in Hawaii then moving to LA to pursue music, there is one goal in mind for Troy. He wanted to validate the sacrifices his family made in order for him to pursue music. The thought of making his dream a reality came with a lot of hard work and belief in his passion. “They wanted to make music from the heart. Wanting to interpret OPM songs is an idea that Troy has been wanting to do for so long. He says, “the pandemic gave me a chance to re-evaluate music and go for it…I’m grateful to put the album together in trying times.”
Unanimously, Troy’s has one of the purest spirits and they didn’t hesitate when asked to be part of the album. Although the artists admitted they were nervous to sing in Tagalog, the support they received eased their nerves. Each artist was determined to learn the song, feel the emotion, and dedicate themselves to learning Tagalog. Matt and Sheléa described their experience as such:
“I could feel the emotion in the song even if I didn’t understand it. I listened to the song over and over again, I wanted to learn it.” – Matt Bloyd, Bakit Pa Ba
“I wanted to get the pronunciation just right and make it my own to balance the language with brining in new moments of my soul interpretation.” – Sheléa, Patuloy Ang Pangarap
All the artists and songs chosen meant something to Troy. The album is a tribute to his journey and reflects what’s going on right now. “I wanted the interpreters to be people who mean something to me. Every song has a purpose.”
Troy wants the world to know about Filipino music
He surprises us when he mentions that every artist he’s worked like Ariana Grande, Rita Ora, and Stevie Wonder with has heard OPM at one point. They’ve heard the music and don’t realize it’s OPM. When he’s soundchecking on tour, Troy plays Maalala Mo Kaya and Pangako Sa’yo. Artists will vibe along or even ask Troy what he’s playing. Nonetheless, he is proud to share the genre of music that’s close to his heart with others. Pia Toscano was excited to be doing a rendition of Regine Velasquez Alcasid’s song, Kailangan Kita.
“Troy played Regine’s music so much…it was massive shoes to fill but easy to get into because I fell in love with the melody and meaning of the song.”
Not only does Troy share Tagalog songs, but Jake Zyrus interprets a Visayan song, Usahay. Jake didn’t speak the dialect, but that didn’t stop him from wanting to deliver on the emotions of the song. He describes the song as “haunting yet a romantic song. Cheesa translated the song to understand the story so I could act on the emotions.” All artists had their challenges with the songs, but all related to the emotion of the lyrics and melody.
The collection is providing a piece of home for Filipinos
It honors both the culture and Filipino people through keeping the integrity of the songs and enhancing its elements. The feedback has been amazing as Troy’s been receiving message from around the world especially OFWs. They reach out saying how the album has given them a piece of home while they’re miles away. “Everyone’s been embracing it and the interpretation of each artist regardless of being Filipino or not.”
Cheesa says that her brother is both her biggest fan and critic, but in a way that pushes her to be better. This Kaibigan Album pushes all of us to be better and be proud of our culture. Although it is an OPM album, everyone can connect with it regardless if they know the language or not. It’s a celebration of culture, music, and Troy Laureta.
Troy and his kaibigans are excited to bring the album to the big stage live in the Philippines. He says, “the Philippines needs a formal celebration of their music and what better place than doing it back at home.” This dream concert of his in Manila, he plans to include all artists involved in this project. Besides that, he hints to a Vol. 2 to the collection. There’s no point in placing Vol. 1 in the title if there isn’t another one coming, are we right? We can’t wait to see what else Troy has in store for us, but for now we’re be having Vol. 1 on repeat.
The Kaibigan OPM Collective Album Vol. 1 under Star Music is now available to listen and stream on all streaming platforms.
ABOUT TROY
Troy Laureta is an award-winning Filipino-American musical director, keyboardist and producer based in Los Angeles, California. Raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, he moved to Los Angeles to study at Hollywood's Musician's Institute. He has worked with Disney artists, reality show singers from American Idol and The Voice, and numerous artists such as Deborah Cox, Ariana Grande, Melanie Fiona, Cheesa, Tommy Page, Iggy Azalea and more. His diverse roster showcases his musical versatility not only as a musical director but also as a keyboardist and producer under his production company, The Assembly Entertainment.
