Charice gets rave reviews for Hollywood film role

CHARICE and Salma Hayek in “Here Comes the Boom” Photo from ZEIBIZ.COM

With the recent US release of her Hollywood film “Here Comes the Boom,” Filipina singer Charice has added yet another milestone to her career as an international artist.

Charice got positive feedback for her role as Malia de la Cruz—a music prodigy in the sports-comedy flick that opened on October 12.

Directed by Frank Coraci and anchored by lead stars Kevin James and Salma Hayek, the film is about James’ character Scott Voss, a 42-year-old biology teacher forced to moonlight as a mixed martial arts fighter to raise money for his school’s ailing music program.

In a review published on his website (www.themovieboy.com), Online Film Critics Society member Dustin Putman commended Charice’s acting: “She brings such honesty and emotion to the screen that one can’t help but care about her… Charice is a star in the making with a smile that could light up a New York City blackout.”

David Germain of The Associated Press said Charice “adds adorability as a bright and earnest student.”

“Here Comes” writer and producer James, who is Charice’s teacher in the film, raved about the petite Pinay’s performance of Neil Diamond’s “Holly Holy.” He told Colorado FM station Jammin’ 101.5 during the red carpet premiere in Denver: “My girl Charice rocks it. She’s unbelievable, you’ll see.”

Stressful audition

In an interview aired on the CBS talk show, “The Couch,” on October 10, Charice said her “Here Comes” stint was her “first-ever big role.”

The “X Factor Philippines” judge related how nervous she was during the auditions. “They suddenly gave me the lyrics to Neil Diamond’s ‘Holly Holy,’ and I was like, ‘What’s this song? This is the end of me!’” Luckily, Charice had composed herself by the time she met the film director. “I did it; they were teary-eyed.”

Asked how it felt, working with big stars like James and Hayek, Charice said: “I didn’t expect them to be that nice… and so sweet.”

The 20-year-old earlier guested on big US TV programs “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “Ellen.” She appeared in three episodes of the second season of the hit TV musical “Glee” and landed a cameo singing role in the 2009 film “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.”