Fingers crossed for Fitri Cerado on ‘AGT 2’
Like in the first season, Filipino talents are earning good notice in this year’s “Asia’s Got Talent,” including 14-year-old Fitri Cerado.
Like in the first season, Filipino talents are earning good notice in this year’s “Asia’s Got Talent,” including 14-year-old Fitri Cerado. Recall she tried out before but though she impressed judges then with her emotional rendition of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” she failed to make it to the semi-finals.
This time, she received three yeses from the judges with her version of The Animal’s “The House Of The Rising Sun.” Fitri is now in the running to be a semifinalist. Will she make it? We’ll find out in today’s episode of “Asia’s Got Talent 2” 8:30 p.m. on AXN. Here’s our interview with Fitri:
What made you decide to try your luck anew in the competition?
“In the first season, I wasn’t really prepared and I wasn’t confident. And I think it really showed during my performance in season one. So I took the judges and other people’s comments as motivation to do better in the future. And it made me decide to try again for the second season.”
At 14, do you find it hard juggling your studies and passion for singing?
“No because I love academics as much as music. So I do give effort in doing my lessons in advance so I could still focus on my passion of music.”
Who is your biggest musical inspiration?
“I have a lot of people who serve as my musical inspirations, but aside from my parents being a part of my inspiration in pursuing my career, I love Tori Kelly. She serves as my role model as a person and she is a big influence in my music.”
Are you pressured that the first AGT champion came from the Philippines?
“It does give me pressure, but not to bring me down. In fact it gives me the motivation to do even better in my performance to make my country proud.”
With so many talented singers this second season, what makes you stand out?
“I think what makes me stand out among the talented singers in the second season is that my voice itself is unique and people would know me for my voice. But most importantly, I sing with all my heart and soul. I sing because I’m using this talent God gave me to inspire others and do good.”
What song would best describe your journey on AGT?
“I think the song that would describe my journey on AGT is ‘Angels Brought Me Here’ by Guy Sebastian.”
You launched your first online charity album in 2011. In previous interviews, you said you would like to use your voice to make a difference in other children’s lives. Why so?
“Since I was little, my school used to go to hospitals, orphanages, and etc. And it made me realize that there are children out there that are less fortunate than me. And it gave me a feeling that I should help these kids.
“I wanted to help them in any way I could, and sometimes I give even if I don’t have enough things for myself. And it gave me the idea that I should use my talent to change other children’s lives.
“I used to give part of my talent fees or prizes from singing contests to donate to the orphanage. And it made me really happy to get to help these children, to inspire them to reach their dreams no matter what. Although I’m not in contact anymore with the orphanage I used to donate in Indonesia, I still continue to participate in many benefit concerts to still help other people through my talent. And I will never stop using my God-given talent to help others.”
What are your other interests as a teenager?
“Reading fictional stories.”
If you make it to the finals, what will you promise the judges particularly David Foster, who criticized your piano skills before?
“I promise the judges that I would give the best performance that they have ever seen of me.”
If you win AGT 2, what’s the first thing you will do with the cash prize?
“I would donate part of the prize and help other children and inspire them to reach their dreams.”
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