Stell of SB19. Image: Instagram/@thevoicegenph
SB19’s Stell confessed he was initially nervous when he was tapped to be part of the upcoming talent show “The Voice Generations,” but he finds strength in his bandmates’ support to conquer his fears.
In an Inquirer Bandera report, Stell admitted that he was nervous to join the reality show, which also includes Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda, Julie Anne San Jose, and Billy Crawford, since he considers himself as a newbie in the industry.
“Siyempre, kasi baguhan pa lang ako sa industry and nu’ng nalaman kong si Julie Anne, si Kuya Billy, and then si Sir Chito, siyempre mga big name na ‘yun, ako naman SB19 Stell pa lang naman ako, nakaka-pressure kasi kahit naman sabihin ko na may fandom kami, may A’TIN, iba rin siyempre ‘yung mga hatak ng mga kasama kong coaches. Malalakas ‘yun eh, mga batikan.”
(Of course, since I’m still new in the industry, and when I found out that Julie Anne, Kuya Billy, and Sir Chito are part of it — they’re big names and I’m just Stell of SB19 — there’s pressure for me because even if our group has a fandom called A’TIN, the appeal of the coaches I’m with is also different, of course. They have strong presence and are more experienced.)
SB19 members (from left) Justin, Pablo, Stell, Josh, and Ken during their WYAT tour in New York. Image: Twitter/@SB19Official
The P-pop idol shared that he initially doubted his own skills and felt that his bandmates Pablo, Ken, or anyone from SB19 should’ve taken his place. Despite this, they remained supportive of his upcoming solo gig.
“Sabi ko nga, ‘Bakit hindi si Pablo o si Ken o kahit sino sa aming lima?’ Pero sabi nila, parang siguro naisip nila na it’s my time para magkaroon naman ng project na masasabing bagay sa akin,” he said.
(I told myself, “Why not Pablo or Ken, or anyone of them?” But they told me that it’s my time to shine, that this project is meant for me.)
“So, happy ako na naging same ng decision ‘yung management, and of course, ‘yung members ko. Happy sila na ako yung napili and sobrang excited sila… sa group chat nga po namin laging ina-update sila kung ano na po yung nangyari sa shoot, kung anong ginagawa ko. Kahit sila, inaasar nila ako na, ‘Good luck today, Coach Stell!’ So happy po, nakakatuwa.”
(I’m happy about the decision of the management and of course, my members. They’re happy and excited as well that I was chosen for this. In our group chat, they are always updated about what’s happening in the shoot, and what I’m doing. They even tease me, “Good luck today, Coach Stell!” That makes me happy.)
‘Gagawin ko ang lahat’
Stell ultimately decided to take the show’s offer, saying that he would do “everything” to prove that he’s worthy of being part of its star-studded line-up. “Talagang sabi ko, kukunin ko ito at gagawin ko yung lahat ng makakaya ko para mapakita ko sa kanila na [deserve] ko ‘yung lugar na ‘to.”
“Sobrang thankful din po ako sa A’TIN kasi, sa totoo lang, sila rin yung naging reason bakit talagang naglakas-loob akong tanggapin yung project. Kasi kung wala naman talagang taong naniniwala sa akin, hindi ko rin pagkakatiwalaan yung sarili ko,” he further added.
(I’m very thankful to A’TIN because it is because of them that I had the gumption to accept this project. If not for their trust in my abilities, I might not have found it in myself to pull it off.)
SB19 is now a self-managed group under 1Z Entertainment, which is put up by the quintet themselves. The singer previously explained at a “Pagtatag” media conference that the tagline of their company is “to get you in the zone and break the norm,” which is his goal as the show’s judge.
“Naniniwala ako na ang isang artist kasi, once na komportable ka na sa kung ano yung strength mo, doon ka mag-i-stay. Siguro ang sasabihin ko sa mga magiging future talent na magiging part ng team ko, huwag kang matatakot magkamali. Parte yan ng pag-grow mo as artist. Hindi lang artist, e. ‘Yung pagiging tao, normal lang magkamali, at sa pagkakamaling yun, doon ka matututo,” he explained.
(I believe that once an artist becomes comfortable in their strengths, they would just stay that way. I would tell the future talents who will be part of my team to not be scared of making mistakes. It’s part of your growth as an artist. Not just an artist, but also as a human being. It’s normal to make mistakes, because you will learn from those mistakes.)
“But with the right guide and tamang coaching, masusubaybayan at magpo-prosper pa, manu-nurture pa yung talent na meron siya. At yun ‘yung willing kami gawin sa mga future talent namin,” he further added. (With right guidance and proper coaching, your talent will nurtured and taken care of. And that’s what I’m willing to do with my future talent.)
Born as Stellvester Ajero, Stell debuted as the main vocalist and choreographer of SB19 in October 2018. The group also consists of the members Pablo, Josh, Ken, and Justin.
Aside from his group activities, he was chosen as a performer for Disney+ launch in the Philippines in November 2022. EDV