KZ Tandingan: Her ‘Singer 2018’ Journey

X Factor Philippines winner KZ Tandingan wows world for her stint in hit Chinese TV show “Singer 2018.” Tandingan appeared in Hunan Televisions’ hit TV show on its fifth episode. She went up against British singer Jessie J among five other artists from Asia. She won first place on the fifth episode, beating her idol and international singer and performer Jessie J.

On the sixth episode, Tandingan finished sixth among six contestants. But her average from the last two episodes qualified her to become a regular contestant on the show.

KZ Tandingan on auditioning for the show

In an interview with Boy Abunda, Tandingan told the story of how she auditioned for “Singer 2018.” She recalls being sick and having a fever. Her manager called her and told her to audition for a singing competition. She didn’t know herself that she knew what the show was. In the audition room was Cory Vidanes and Lauren Dyogi, both head of ABS-CBN, where Tandingan is an artist. A month later, Tandingan got a call from the show confirming she is in the competition.

KZ Tandingan Singer 2018 episode five

On Singer 2018’s fifth episode, Tandingan entered as a challenger. For the knockout round, Tandingan sang Adele’s hit “Rolling in the Deep.” She used the arrangement she used in tours in the Philippines, but she added a rap verse to her version sealing her spot in the competition.

Tandingan met her idol Jessie J in this episode. Tandingan tells that Jessie J wasn’t supposed to meet her until the live shows. But Jessie J heard Tandingan in her holding room speaking in English and so she wondered who it was and decided to pay a visit. She insisted on meeting Tandingan, who was starstruck of her.

Tandingan won first place. Jessie J settled for second place. Chinese singer Tien Chong got eliminated.

KZ Tandingan Singer 2018 episode six

For the knockout round, Tandingan chose to sing a medley of Mandarin songs. “What’s good about taking risks, especially at this point of the competition shows how serious you are with your craft,” Tandingan said in one of the show’s VTR. “I wanna show my respect to the Chinese audience, and the Chinese culture, and the Chinese music,” Tandingan added.

Tandingan sang “All The Things You Never Knew,” “What Else Do You Want From Me,” and “Still Aching.” The episode showed how Tandingan prepared for the songs. She got coached in Mandarin and studied the language.

As a result, Tandingan landed sixth place after the episode. While Jessie J landed the second place, Hua Chenyu sealed the first place. Meanwhile, Juno Su fell on the last place and got eliminated.

KZ Tandingan, a regular contender

The total tally of scores got released to the public after two episodes. Tandingan landed the third spot. Jessie J took the second spot. In the first place was Hua Chenyu. Since Tandingan’s score made it to the top six, she got declared as a regular contender of the show.

Singer 2018 airs every Friday on the Hunan Television.