Idol rock queens in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The past week was tough chick week for American Idol fans. Kelly Clarkson, original rebel idol queen, was here last Saturday for her aptly titled “All I Ever Wanted Tour,” while her princess in the pop rock scene Allison Iraheta dropped by to promote her new album “Just Like You.” Coincidentally, both girls had their birthdays in late April. Kelly turned 28 last April 24 and Allison celebrated her 18th birthday last April 27. Despite the age difference, both artists from Sony Entertainment are known for their carefree outspoken attitude. Kelly recently cancelled her Indonesia concert because it was promoted by cigarette companies. Allison is known for giving a piece of her mind to Simon during her Idol run.

Both showed Manila what it takes to be a pop-rock queen. Kelly was naturally spontaneous during her concert. She even took dibs on her weight gain as she added to her Alanis Morrisette cover “that I should be good even if I gained 10 pounds.” While Allison’s press con at Manila Peninsula showed that even at a young age she has the chops to handle Hollywood.

I’m A Kelly Holic

A Kelly Clarkson concert is all about the music. It is not about elaborate fireworks or dance moves but Clarkson’s raw and flawlessly bluesy voice. The surprise highlight of her performance came from reworking her first album ballads into an acapella medley. The unplugged version captured the nuances of the song and Kelly’s southern gospel tone.

She didn’t hide her eclectic taste either as she sang covers of Black Key’s Lies and Kings of Leon’s Use Somebody. She promoted the artist that she was covering for the audience to buy their albums, too, to widen her fans’ musical taste.

As she sang these songs, her voice was effortless. She really set the vocal standards high. The concert was a huge pop music celebration as Kelly urged her fans to come closer to the stage. Pulp Productions’ Happee Sy’s boyfriend proposed to her during the encore, ending the concert on a high note.

Allison Iraheta’s Rasp-Berry Vocals

If you are Iraheta fan like me, Allison’s vocals, like her hair color, are raspberry-licious. Her pipes are wise and raspy but with tinge of vulnerable citrus innocence. This is why I like her album “Just Like You” among the triumvirate of Kradison (Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, and Allison). It is not too Hollywood paparazzi glam like Lambert nor too weepy and sleepy like Kris Allen. “Just Like You” has easily relatable lyrical hooks that shares her everyday angst against boyfriends who Twitter too much (Robot Love), throw over into a emotional rollercoaster (Beat Me Up), and sometimes take her for granted (Just Like You).

This is why Allison’s presscon in Manila Peninsula was more like meeting with a really spunky friend rather than attending an album launch. She was confidently straightforward in her answers and not giggly like some 18-year-old Idol alumni (yes, I’m talking about you, David Archuleta). Yet, she wouldn’t mind belting out her dorky guy imitation voice when she disses about how she hates guys who use their cellphones in the elevator or Danny Gokey singing too much on tour. She was so natural that it is easy to forget that she is a fourth place finisher in American Idol. I even cajoled her to sing Abba’s Chiquitita in English after she said it was one of her favorite cheesy songs. She did cutely sing a few lines but this tough cookie drew the line when I asked her to do it in Spanish.

With such a laidback cool-girl vibe, you wouldn’t realize that Allison is taking the responsibility of her first post Idol year with a stride and a smile. As she answered about being a role model, she says, “The best message that she can be is to be natural and teach kids to be comfortable with who they are and what they want.”

At 18, she recently bought a home in Hollywood near her pal Adam Lambert’s place, for whom she will be opening this June in the US. Expect duets to certainly happen! Don’t worry Allison fans here in the Philippines. Her manager Michelle de Leon is Pinay so it isn’t so far-fetched that she’ll come back and maybe we can convince her to try balut.

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Kelly Clarkson and Allison Iraheta are talents of Sony Entertainment Production

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Kelly Clarkson’s concert was produced by Pulp Live!