MANILA, Philippines – Self-confessed "non-singer” Anne Curtis appealed to the public to just leave Tony Award winning singer Lea Salonga be for allegedly “dissing” the former's singing prowess.
"Out of respect kay Ate Lea, tigilan na natin 'to. Marami kasing nagagalit sa kanya sa Internet. I believe she was misunderstood," Curtis was quoted as saying in an abs-cbnNEWS.com report posted on Feb. 17.
A few days ago, a TV network reported on its news website that Salonga made a cutting remark about Curtis and non-singers who make a career out of singing.
In the Feb. 12 report of Interaksyon.com, Salonga was prompted to respond to questions about "out-of-tune" singers and then about Curtis. Salonga then bluntly expressed her dislike over bad singers who thrive in the business, apparently in the context of being an artist protective of her craft. She cited as example those performers who put in time and effort to develop their vocal prowess. The report then took the remark to mean that the Broadway singer had put down Curtis’ efforts as a singer.
The website has since admitted that it had taken Salonga’s quotes out of context and publicly apologized to both personalities involved by releasing the full transcript of the interview for the public's scrutiny.
“I don’t think that anything should be said about that because Ate Lea already said her piece so I think it should stop there,” Curtis underscored in a Push.com interview posted on Feb. 18.
Salonga, through her official Twitter account (@MsLeaSalonga), clarified what she truly meant with her words.
On Feb. 12, Salonga wrote in her account that she has “strong opinions about off-key singers” but since “Anne herself doesn't identify as a singer,” Salonga says she “respects” her and that she actually “can’t be angry” with Curtis.
“So before anyone decides to launch an attack because of what I said, which I stand by, find out exactly what I said in full, and in context. There are people calling themselves singers without the talent to justify it, taking away business from those that rightly deserve it.
"That is what burns me, and is insulting to all singer-craftsmen, gifted artists that work so hard and need to be heard and patronized,” Salonga’s tweet read.
All issues aside, Curtis, who just turned 27 on Feb. 17, announced via the abs-cbnNEWS.com report that she will be staging her “AnneBisyosa: No Other Concert” in Cebu this April.
source: mb.com.ph
