Matteo’s online show turns talent-search formula on its head

Matteo Guidicelli

After two months of being cooped up at home, Matteo Guidicelli is now pretty well-adjusted to life under quarantine.

“I feel blessed to have been able to establish a routine. I try to be active every day … I think it’s important to keep ourselves busy, and continue learning new things,” he told reporters in a recent Zoom conference for Popeyes Philippines’ “The Pop Stage,” an online reality talent competition that he hosts.

Aside from working out, cooking and other home activities, Matteo, of course, has been enjoying married life with his wife, pop star Sarah Geronimo.

“I have just been married. I’m having a good time with my wife and we’re learning more about each other,” related the actor and Army reservist, who tied the knot with Sarah in a private—and controversial—ceremony last February.

Matteo has also been taking part in different COVID-19 relief drives, like the benefit online concert series, “One Voice Pilipinas,” which has so far pooled about P13 million. “We have helped, given groceries to families in Metro Manila and Cebu,” said Matteo, who expects to get even busier in the coming weeks with his new hosting stint.

Left with not much to do at home, a lot of bored young people have been turning to social media to post videos of themselves doing all sorts of random, lighthearted stuff to entertain themselves. Why not use those as springboard for a possible career in show biz?

“Pop Stage” is open to individuals or groups of four members maximum, age 13 to 25, who are encouraged to submit videos of themselves singing, dancing, playing instruments, doing magic tricks, acrobatics, or any “cool, awesome” talent worth showing off. (Deadline of submission, done through www.thepopstage.ph, is on May 27.)

“What’s unique about this is that everything can be done from their homes. You don’t need to stand in long lines and wait for hours. You don’t need to travel all the way to the studio. Just send your videos,” Matteo said, adding that bloo­pers and behind-the-scenes footage are also welcome.

“We want them to be as organic and real as possible. We want to see your talent, who you are, what your character really is like. We don’t mind seeing the bloopers or what went on in creating the video. Make it exciting and comedic,” he said. “We want to see something good, creative, inspiring and brings a lot of good vibes.”

Matteo (left) with wife Sarah Geronimo

The audition clips will be evaluated by a panel of jud­ges, which includes celebrities and people from the Kuya J group, which brought Popeyes, a popular fried chicken fast food restaurant chain, to the Philippines. The chosen videos will then be featured in a weekly show that will be streamed on Matteo’s and “Pop Stage’s” Facebook pages.

“Eventually, we’re going to have the celebrity judges go on air to critique your work. We have special surprises, so we want to keep things exciting by not letting people know about them until the last minute,” he said. “We’re going to have public voting, too.”

“I’m primarily the show’s host, but I will also have a say in the judging … I will give my opinions,” he added.

Is a Sarah appearance one of those “surprises”?

“Ah, you know what, that would have been very, very nice—but she works for another company!” Matteo jested, laughing. But if he were to submit his own video to the contest, he said, he would probably film himself dancing to his wife’s hit song, “Tala.”

The overall winner will win P1 million cash and a one-year contract with Viva Artists Agency. “That could be the start of your acting career, singing career, music career or a career in whate­ver talent you will be bringing to ‘The Pop Stage,’” Matteo said. INQ