Not just another pop hopeful

By Neil Ray Ramos

With all new ?stars? coming straight out of You Tube, it would be easy to think that others wanting the same success would simply find it easy to just upload their videos on the site and presto, they are the newest hot stars.

Some have been fortunate, and one of them is 14-year-old Carmella from Bataan.

For years now, this bright-eyed Shakira fan had been wowing audiences in every corner in her hometown with her singing and dancing skills.

In fact, she had already won so many contests in her town that young as she is, she could no longer compete. Organizers say, she is ?over qualified?.

Carmella has an album out with Ivory Records. If, like us, you are wondering why you have not heard of the young lass yet, well, it is because, she is quite content to take it one-step at a time.

?I?m happy with how I?m doing career wise. Besides, I don?t want to be called a copy cat. I am friends with Charice [Pempengco, the young YouTube singing sensation] and out of respect I?d rather that I do my own thing,? she says.

By her ?own thing,? she means she has to slug it out with other hopefuls in the old- fashioned way.

?Me and my manager? and my parents also? we go out and look for singing engagements whenever, wherever,? she says.

It?s a good thing that Carmella is actually doing well in school. So much so that her teachers don?t make a big fuss when she disappears and fulfills her singing engagements.

?Well, I make sure that I don?t neglect my studies, that?s why my teachers and my classmates are very supportive of me,? she quips.

Carmella admits that, although she is ?not envious at all? with the success that some of her contemporaries are finally achieving, sometimes she too thinks of having to post something on You Tube.

?I do think of it. I feel that somehow it would all be easier but at this point I think whatever comes out on YouTube won?t be really ?representative? of who I am as a singer because? well, I think if you see me perform live, you?d know what I?m talking about,? Carmella declares confidently.

Her manager, songwriter Alan Ayque, agrees.

?She is quite a performer. Electrifying. I think this is mainly because she knows her strengths, she knows what and where she wants to be, so she goes out there and make it all look easy,? he says.

According to Ayque, Carmella?s ?mature outlook? is what separates her from millions of other teens.

?She?s not pa-cute at all. She is quite womanly in her demeanor considering her age.?

And this is also what?s preventing Carmella from making it big.

?Her audience is quite confused. They can?t make up their mind about her and ask if they?d treat her like a kid? At 5? 6? and with a fully developed body and that voice, it?s impossible especially when she does her moves. But behind all that, you know she?s just 14,? he explains.

For now, the plan is to continue with what they have started and just let Carmella win fans?slowly but surely.

?I can?t complain. I?m doing mall shows right now and the response is great, so, I?m really happy. Do I get impatient? Yes, sometimes, but I know I got talent. I know I?m good so there?s no rush. With God?s help, I will make it someday, somehow,? Carmella says.