Another Fil-Am almost got the boot in ‘The Voice’
Just like “American Idol” finalist and Filipino-Mexican Jessica Sanchez, 21-year-old Cheesa Laureta, a Fil-Am contestant on the US talent show “The Voice,” almost got the boot—if not for the intervention of a celebrity-juror.
On April 10, Laureta made it to the Top 16 in the second season of the NBC reality talent search after she was saved by her mentor, R&B singer Cee Lo Green.
According to Internet reports, Laureta moved from Hawaii to Los Angeles when she was 15. Her mother was from Cebu province while her father, a singer and guitarist, was from Manila.
Her brother Troy is also a musician who has worked with international singing sensation Charice Pempengco and Canadian musician and record producer David Foster. With her brother Troy, she formed the singing duo A2C and made some recordings.
Laureta and her brother had previously auditioned for “American Idol” but failed to land a spot. Last year, they tried out for “The Voice,” but weren’t selected neither.
This year, her brother encouraged her to try out again and she finally got through.
She said prayers were her secret weapon.
An online report said she has a tattoo on her wrist which reads “II Cor 5:7,” referring to the Bible verse, “For we walk by faith not by sight.” She has another tattoo on her left rib which reads, “Believe.”
According to her Facebook page, she graduated from Hollywood High School and studied Apparel Manufacturing Management at Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM). She also worked as a stylist for photographer Abel Rodriguez.
On her Twitter page, she proudly declared that “both my mom and dad are full-blooded” Filipinos. Also on Twitter, she called her “big bro… my biggest influence and my world.”
She described herself as a fan of R&B superstar Beyoncé Knowles on her Facebook fan page.
She also said on Facebook that she hopes “The Voice” will help her realize her dreams and set her on the road to stardom. Next week, she will again face fierce competition as she battles it out with 15 other finalists.
