Zela hopes solo artists will be recognized in P-pop: ‘Gusto kong umangat kami’

Zela. Image: Courtesy of Zela

While Zela Lockhart — who established herself as Zela as a singer-songwriter — is happy that P-pop is gaining more recognition, she hopes that solo artists will have a chance to shine as well.

Lockhart had a bright smile as she spoke about her beginnings in music in an interview with INQUIRER.net. Donning a simple tee and oversized jeans, she had the stance of a model. But she immediately turned shy when complimented for her beauty, saying it has something to do with her Filipino and American descent.

“Very shy and awkward ako off-cam (I am very shy and awkward off-cam),” she admitted. “But when I’m onstage, nag-iiba ako (I change) when I perform.”

The singer-songwriter was born in the Philippines before relocating to the US with her music. Growing up, she was surrounded by people who loved music. “It has always been in my life. I come from a family of singers. They are not famous, but they enjoy singing,” she recalled, saying she enjoyed writing songs even before her debut.

Lockhart was on vacation in the Philippines when she was offered to be an actress. She was aware of her impending return but got into the rhythm of acting workshops and other related activities. The wait was tough — especially since her time in the country was almost up. She was about to give up when she was offered to be a solo artist by AQ Prime Music.

And the rest was history. She was launched into the limelight with her debut single “Karma” in September 2023. Two years later, she was announced as one of the Philippines’ representatives at the Waterbomb Manila festival on February 22 and 23, which will be held at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

“Every event or show, tinatanggap ko because hindi pa ako kilala (I accept them because I am not yet known). This is a good platform for me to promote more and the P-pop community,” she said of her upcoming gig. “I’m honored to represent P-pop and raise our flag.”

Launched in Seoul, South Korea in 2015, the annual festival features K-pop, hip-hop, and EDM performers, along with water-based activities. Touching on its theme, the majority of the performances turn up the heat, a factor that Lockhart has been preparing herself.

“I think isa ‘yun sa nireready ko for myself,” she said of the festival’s theme. “Hindi ako sanay. Kapag nagpe-perform ako sa P-pop [gigs ko], hindi naman ako nagshoshow ng skin. [Pero] excited ako!”

“Hindi ko masyadong iniisip [anong pwedeng mangyari]. I love performing, and mas nagfofocus ako sa training kaysa sa worries ko. Maraming bagay na kailangang paghandaan. Hindi [ko na] iniisip ‘yung negativity,” she continued.

(I think it is one of the things I’m preparing myself for. I’m not used to it. When I perform in my P-pop gigs, I don’t show my skin often. But I’m excited. I don’t think what can happen too much. I love performing, and I focus more on training instead of my worries. I need to prepare for a lot of things. I don’t think about the negativity too much.)

Zela during an interview with INQUIRER.net. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net

Navigating pressure as a female artist

Hustling has always been part of a P-pop artist’s schedule. Many of them accept event inquiries, TV appearances, interviews, and other related activities in hopes of putting their names out there. Zela is no stranger to the hustle and the pressure it entails.

Lockhart believes every event is an opportunity to prove herself. And with her Waterbomb gig, she hopes it would open more doors not only for herself but also for her fellow artists.

“There is always pressure [because] I always strive for excellence. Porket hindi malaki ang event, hindi ako magre-ready,” she said. “Tinuturuan kami palagi to be ready [for whatever happens], kasi hindi mo na lang alam na may event pala on the same day. I use the pressure as motivation to do good. Hindi [ko] siya tinetake [negatively].”

(There is always pressure because I always strive for excellence. I will always be prepared no matter the event. We were taught to always be ready whatever happens. We never know whether an event will happen on the same day or not. I use the pressure as motivation to do good. I don’t take it negatively.)

Zela. Image: Instagram/@zlockhart01

Touching on her songwriting process, Lockhart says women empowerment is at the core of her artistry. She tells stories of her own experiences, as well as her friends and people she knows. But she doesn’t want to portray women tearing each other down in her music.

“I don’t want to write songs [that put] girls down. I want to empower my fans to be confident, and to be proud of being women,” she said, admitting that it’s hard to be a woman in the industry. “I want to tell them that [you] can do almost everything. [I want to] remind them they can do ]many] things.”

The singer-songwriter is also inspired by the success of female artists, citing the massive fame of P-pop powerhouse BINI. “I really want to be there. It is exciting. It is time na babae naman (for female artists to be on top).”

“Lagi kong sinasabi sa mga fans ko to idolize [female artists] (I always remind my fans to idolize female artists),” she continued. “Huwag tayo [gumawa] ng competition. Tayo-tayo lang naman ang magkasama (Let us not stir competition. We only have each other at the end of the day).”

At the same time, Zela hopes that she and her fellow solo artists will be recognized on their own merits in P-pop. She also hopes that her own journey will inspire them to not give up on carving a name for themselves.

“I hope for equal opportunities in P-pop, lalo na sa mga P-pop soloists. Gusto kong umangat kami. Wala pa kasi masyadong kilalang P-pop soloists kaya sabi ko that I really need to work hard for this. Kailangan naming umangat. Part din naman kami ng P-pop kaya kailangan din naming makilala. Hindi lang groups,” she said.

(I hope for equal opportunities in P-pop, especially for P-pop soloists. I want us to rise. There are not many known P-pop soloists out there. This is why I told myself I really need to work hard for this. We need to rise. We are part of P-pop and we deserve to be known, not just groups.)

Zela poses with her labelmates, P-pop boy group BILIB, during an interview with INQUIRER.net. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net

Lockhart is one of the Filipino performers of Waterbomb Manila’s second day. Joining her are her labelmates and P-pop boy group BILIB, Kenet, 2Spade, Mar Vista, Siena Girls, Aster, and NEO.

Korean artists who are included on the second day are Jessi, Sunmi, Hyolyn, Gray, BamBam, Skull, HaHa, Oh My Girl, Kang Daniel, Reddy, VIVIZ, Yang Sechan, Sulreggae, U-Kwon, and Insidecore.