Post Archives: Can't We At Least Get A Filipino On 'American Idol' And 'The Voice'?

Wednesday, December 30, 2020


This article was originally written for the YOMYOMF blog which was closed approximately two years ago and is being re-posted here for archival purposes.

04/25/2018

I know what you’re going to say, and I’m not saying all my FilAm brothers and sisters come out of the womb singing and playing instruments (because I can’t fathom how someone could give birth to a ukulele and a little human anyway)–but don’t tell me you’re from the greater AAPI and don’t know a Pinoy that doesn’t at least hum some shit to themselves, because that would just be disingenuous and then I’d have to call you a liar (but don’t worry, I’ll completely deny everything I’ve said here if White People ask me about it).

When a band needs a new lead singer, who do they go to for another decade of music keeping those old hits alive, but bringing in a new style and audience?

It’s a Filipino (and don’t get me started on the HOF snub for Arnel Pineda).

When you need a mashup of cover songs from The Greatest Showman?

You go to the Filipinos.

When you’re looking for someone to slay a Mariah Carey song?

You get a F-I-L-I-P-I-N-O Filipino (and come to think of it, at least half of the bands I played in during my teenage angst ridden years had Filipinos in them…).

When you need someone to light up the Grammy stage and take home some hardware?

You know what’s coming.

You get a MF Filipino (and honestly, I don’t even think the phrase “I just play one instrument” exists in the FilAm community).

I just can’t fathom how in the world a music show these days doesn’t have at least one person from the AAPI community on it during the finals, because it’s not like this should be a “specialty” item anymore. We shouldn’t have to grovel or feel so chinky thankful to see someone, anyone, from the community on a music show like ‘American Idol’ or ‘The Voice’ on regular basis. Because if I’ve shown anything, albeit completely unscientific and moderately tainted with lateral stereotypes–

We should at least be able to get a Filipino.