Blind Filipino chanteuse nervous and excited about ‘France Got Talent’ finals

Katchry Jewel Golbin, aka Aliènette Coldfire, in Paris.—Aliènette’s Facebook page

(Editor’s note: Aliènette Coldfire will compete in the finals of “France Got Incredible Talent” on Wednesday morning/Manila time.)

U ne vedette est née. Yes, a star is born. Blind Filipino chanteuse Aliènette Coldfire makes it to the grand finals of “La France a Un Incroyable Talent (France Got Incredible Talent),” which airs tomorrow in France (Wednesday morning in Manila).

Let’s give Aliènette 100 percent support and vote for her online. She is too awesome for words. Her command of the French language is unbelievable, considering that she never lived in France. And her impeccable rendition of French songs is mind-blowing.

The snobbish French aren’t that easy to please, but Aliènette impressed the talent tilt’s judges. Her blindness did not stop her from keeping an eye on the prize.

Aliènette’s journey reminds me of a French quote from Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s “The Little Prince,” which goes: On ne voit bien qu’avec le coeur (It is only with the heart that one can see rightly).

Since I’m a Francophile like her, we hit it off instantly when we chatted in French via Facebook messenger (@alènette cdfr). I was so touched by her heartfelt “Thank you” message to me, which she posted on her FB page, along with the link to my column (last Nov. 8).

Keep shining in the City of Light, ma cherie.

Keep sharing your marvelous talent. Your golden voice is the closest thing to hearing angels sing in heaven.

Ooh la LA-liènette!

Aliènette in a recent episode of the talent tilt

Here’s an Inquirer exclusive, my chat with Aliènette:

Are you more nervous or excited about the finals? Both. I’m nervous because it’s going to be a big day, and I’m not sure if I can handle the pressure and sing perfectly just as I want to. But I’m also excited, because it will be the biggest performance of my life, knowing that a single song could lead me to victory and stardom.

How are you preparing for the finals? Strangely, I’m not the type who makes a lot of preparations before a performance. Resting my voice is the best way to prepare. Knowing my contest piece by heart would be enough for me to deliver it well onstage. I listen to my song more than I rehearse it. The more I listen, the more I learn and improve. I must say I also learned French that way.

Who do you consider as your biggest rival in the finals? I honestly don’t know, because most of my fellow contestants’ numbers involve visuals. One thing is certain, the battle will be tough for me since I’m not from France and, therefore, the other contestants have a better chance of getting more votes.

Any memorable moment with the judges off-cam? I had a chance to spend some minutes with Hélène Ségara. She was so sweet and down-to-earth. The big hug she gave me is something I will cherish for the rest of my life. She recalled her performances with Andrea Bocelli and told me I was giving her the same level of emotions as he did. I also expressed my admiration for her as a singer. That short yet remarkable moment ended with her telling me to choose the right song for the finals.

What inspired you to learn French? My love for the late Edith Piaf. The moment I heard the song, “La Vie en Rose,” I immediately felt what the French call “coup de foudre,” or love at first encounter. I said to myself that the French language had to be the next big thing in my life.

What’s your favorite French expression? “Je m’en fous” (I’m fed up). Though it’s a little vulgar, I somehow developed a habit of saying it, especially when I just want to ignore people, things and situations that piss me off.

What’s your most memorable moment in France so far? Every moment is memorable. But the one that made me feel like I was dreaming was my very first performance. It’s the climactic part of my love story with France. There’s nothing like performing for the first time in the land that I adore, and being appreciated by its wonderful people. The French are simply awesome. They made me love their country even more.

Would you consider living in France and pursuing your career in Paris? Surely. How wonderful it is to consider France as my second home. I’m quite open to possibilities. After all, I have to be where the
opportunities are. I’m always willing to take my chances, be it in France or in my native land.

If you could only sing one song, what would it be? “God Will Make a Way.” That song is enough to bring all the positivity I need to survive.

If your life story were told in a song, what would the title be? “At the Top of My Voice.” This is why I composed a song that goes by the same title in French “À la hauteur de ma voix,” which talks about the importance of music to me and the power of a single song to change my entire life.

If you were gifted with vision, what’s the first thing you would want to view? My own appearance. Some people find me horrible, while those who appreciate me think otherwise. It’s not that I care, but I feel like I have the right to have a more realistic idea of what I truly look like. In any case, that wouldn’t change the way I see myself now.

What’s your advice to aspiring singers? Someone once told me that happiness depends on the amount of freedom a person has in one’s heart. I therefore encourage aspiring singers like me to know what they really want and be free to just do it. Nothing should stop us from being the artists we want to be. We have to make the best of whatever talent we possess to break the barriers, stand out and make a difference. There is so much freedom in music. Let’s sing as if every song were a representation of our entire being.