Bailey May’s back

Bailey (center) with other members of Now United

Teen heartthrob Bailey May admits that he has grown by leaps and bounds, during his short stint training with Now United, “American Idol” impresario Simon Fuller’s global super group, in Los Angeles.

“I used to be rubbish,” the Filipino-British performer told the Inquirer.

Rehearsing with the gang, however, has brought out the best in him, he owned up. “There are so many lessons…I can’t specify just one. I’ve learned so much from Simon Fuller and our teachers and choreographers.”

In sum, he said he had “grown to love singing and dancing more.”

He loves performing in front of audiences, but it has now become a “passion” for him. He admitted, “I think I’ve become a better person, too.”

Onstage and off, he has improved a lot, said Bailey, who is vacationing in Manila until the end of the month.

“I had the chance to work with the best choreographers in the world: Kyle Hanagami, Willdabeast Adams and other top artists,” he recounted. “They shared with me lots of tips. Before, I never thought I could dance. I’m pretty sure the other kids felt the same way, too.”

With the help of his mentors, he transformed from zero to hero on the dance floor.

“In a short time, they taught me how to move well,” he recalled. “I’ve realized that practice makes perfect. I’ve seen that happen myself.”

On a personal note, he said he had learned “to give 100 percent” onstage, as well. “If you don’t hold back, you will surely receive better things in return,” he elaborated. Case in point, he said, “I gave my best shot during the audition and now I’m part of Now United. It feels so good!”

Bailey May

Bailey joins kids from other corners of the world in the teen troupe: United Kingdom, Canada, India, South Korea, Brazil, Japan, United States, Senegal, Finland and Russia.

Exhilarating experience

He said it was an exhilarating experience interacting with fellow teeners from all over the globe. “I got to meet teenagers from various countries and got to learn about their different cultures, first-hand,” he related. “I made so many new friends.”

It was not all huffing and puffing in the rehearsal hall, though. “We really have fun because we share the same passion for singing and dancing.”

Meeting the Simon Fuller was nerve-wracking, he conceded. “To be honest, I was nervous at first,” he volunteered. “After all, he’s the same man behind the Spice Girls and David Beckham and stuff. So, of course, kinabahan ako (I was tense).”

But when he finally got to chat with the hitmaker, Bailey felt instantly at ease. “He’s the nicest man in the world. Like, he’s just so nice! He always thinks of other people first, more than himself. He’s a great person to hang out with. I’m so happy that I’m working for him and his company.”

The Now United team singled out Bailey’s “amazing kind heart, beautiful looks and charismatic values” as the plus factors that sealed the deal for him. “The moment Simon saw the Fil-Brit charmer, he knew Bailey was the one.”

Aside from being a worthy “ambassador” for the country, the kid has “global presence,” the staff pointed out.

“I am glad to represent our country and put the Philippines in the spotlight,” Bailey quipped.