South Korean YouTube sensation follows Adele's footsteps

An 18-year-old South Korean music student is making waves online following her cover of Adele’s latest hit song “Hello.”

The latest YouTube sensation, Lydia Lee, uploaded on YouTube her rendition of Hello and after three weeks gained 14 million views and counting.

Lee was also invited to perform at the "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pinoy duo gets standing ovation on 'Ellen'

The General Santos-based music duo who went viral this year for their YouTube video drew laughs and a standing ovation when they made their American TV debut on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Thursday.

B'laan cousins Aldrich Talonding and James Bucong had a sit-down interview with the popular comedienne-host in the episode of her talk show that aired on September 12 (Manila time).


"We started a few years ago, we have been best friends in music," the younger Talonding said of Bucong, when asked how they ended up uploading their rendition of the Luther Vandross hit "Dance With My Father," which has garnered millions of views since April.

A well-spoken Talonding triggered laughter when he related how the video's viral spread has made them popular in the Philippines.

Shortly after their YouTube video made the rounds online in late April, the cousins were featured in ABS-CBN's primetime newscast "TV Patrol."

Days later, DeGeneres on her talk show invited the boys to come to the United States to perform, as she shared a clip from their original video.

"People started recognizing us along the streets or in the malls. They even recognize us in the restroom!" Talonding said to laughs from the live audience.

"That's weird!" he quipped.

Also speaking in fluent English, Bucong added, "Many people do recognize me, especially girls. So it feels awkward when they say that they love me!"

Standing ovation


Noting his father died in June this year, Talonding said the Vandross tune now "means a lot to me, because I didn't realize the song would become true.

The duo went on to perform "Dance With My Father," which ended with a standing ovation from the audience.

"I'm so glad we found you," DeGeneres told Talonding, as she gave the young singer a guitar, a piano, and $10,000.

This isn't the first time Filipino talents were brought to "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," which is broadcast internationally.

Charice Pempengco, who similarly began as a YouTube sensation, marked the start of her international career when she performed on the talk show in December 2007.

Singers Rhap Salazar and Zendee Tenerefe also debuted on American TV when DeGeneres invited them at different times to perform on her show in late 2012.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Enchong marks birthday with Ellen DeGeneres

MANILA, Philippines -- Enchong Dee recently got the VIP treatment for his birthday in the United States, as he visited the studio of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" as a live audience member.


Along with Kapamilya actors Jason Abalos and Rayver Cruz, Dee scored VIP tickets to the show's episode, which reportedly aired in the US on November 6.

In a photo shared Wednesday by Dee on the image-sharing site Instagram, the "Ina, Kapatid, Anak" actor is seen inside the Warner Bros. Studios in California, where the live talk-variety show is held.

According to Dee in the photo's accompanying caption, DeGeneres "hugged [him] for three seconds."

Dee turned 24 on November 5.

He also expressed excitement over getting tickets to a concert of the pop-rock band Maroon 5, as well as to another live episode of "Ellen."

"#ImAtEllen Im with my friends, I won an Ellen shirt for Dancing, We won Maroon 5 tix for March 15 in staples, I got a new album of maroon 5, Ellen Hugged me for 3 seconds and greeted me Happy Birthday kahit walang picture masaya na ko to the Ginormous level," Dee said.

"The best part we have a sure seat for December 17 show for 12 days of giveaways on Ellen again:) ahhhhhh!!!! #bestbirthdayever," he added.

Upon seeing their idol on the American TV show, fans of Dee took to micro-blogging site Twitter to share that they've spotted the actor with Cruz and Abalos in the audience.



A video of the opening segment of "Ellen" for its November 6 episode has even made the rounds among Dee's followers. The video uploaded on YouTube (seen above) shows the Kapamilya actors dancing along with the audience in the first minutes of the program.

Along with other Kapamilya talents, Dee is in the United States for a series of shows celebrating the 20th anniversary of ABS-CBN's talent management arm, Star Magic.

source: abs-cbnnews.com