The gloves are off for Charice Pempengco. Following her dramatic appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s Where Are They Now segment on her network OWN last month, the Filipina pop star and former internet sensation is all set to bring a taste of who she really is when she performs in Abu Dhabi on November 20 at Beats on the Beach.
“It’s going to be the real me. No pretentions,” Charice, as she is more popularly known, tells tabloid! “The UAE is going to be my first performance since that interview so I’m really excited.”
The past few years have been nothing but dramatic for the young star. Following her meteoric rise as a Winfrey discovery, which led to a hit international album and a role on TV show Glee, Charice’s estranged father was murdered in 2011. Shortly after, she fell out with her mother. Each dramatic aspect of her life was widely documented by the media, putting enormous pressure on the star, who began to sing at the age of seven to support her family. Then, last year, she shocked fans by coming out and debuted a dramatic new look.
On her return to Winfrey’s show, Charice dismissed the many rumours that have surrounded her life, including an alleged suicide attempt.
“I’ve thought about it,” she told the former talk show queen. “But no, I never attempted it.” She also said she has reunited with her mother, and that they are now building their relationship. Her father’s death, she said, was the turning point in her life.
Charice performed in Dubai in 2012 as part of her global tour. She’s currently working on a new album set for a 2015 release.
“I can’t wait to see all my fans in the UAE, and personally thank them for standing by me all these years and through everything,” she says.
Read the full interview in tabloid! soon.
Don’t miss it
Charice will perform at the free Yasalam Beats on the Beach concert series on November 20 at Abu Dhabi Corniche. The three-day concert series, held on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix celebrations, will also feature Rita Ora, Jason Derulo, Miguel, rapper Juicy J, Tinashe and a host of Arab stars including Ragheb Al Ama and Sabine. Beats on the Beach is on from November 20 to 22. For the full schedule, go to yasalam.ae.
