KZ Tandingan beats her idol in Chinese reality singing contest

KZ Tandingan won the latest round of China’s reality singing contest Singer 2018, then revealed that the entertainer she beat, Britain’s Jessie J, was the woman who had inspired her to start performing again.

The 25-year-old Filipina from Davao del Sur, who got her start by taking out the first season of The X Factor Philippines in 2012, performed her rendition of Adele’s Rolling In The Deep and added a Tagalog rap, ABS-CBN News reported.

With Jessie J applauding, Tandingan recalled how the Briton’s singing style had played a big part in her decision to stay in the music business.

“When I was in high school, I almost stopped singing because I couldn’t reach the high notes anymore because I had a polyp in my vocal cords. And then, I heard you, and then I realized, ‘Oh, I didn’t have to hit those high notes to make a difference and sing, so I started singing again.

“Who I am as an artist now, a big chuck of that is because of you,” Tandigan said. “I can’t believe I’m talking to you!”

Giving her a hug, Jessie J responded: “The perception of what you are to other people can never, ever be what you are to yourself.”

Tandingan posted a clip of her first meeting with Jessie J on her Facebook account.

It was the second week in a row that Jessie J had come second. Both entertainers will return to the show next week for another round of performances.