Camile Velasco: Difference between revisions

| image = Camile_Velasco.jpg

| caption = Camile Velasco performing at The Republik in [[Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]], November 1, 2014

| alias = Eli-Mac

| image_size = 250

| name = Camile Velasco

| birth_name = Ciara-Camile Roque Velasco

|birth_place origin = [[Makati City]]Maui, [[PhilippinesHawaii]]

|origin genre = [[Maui, HawaiiReggae]]

'''Ciara-Camile "Camile" Roque Velasco''' (born September 1, 1985), known by her stage name '''Eli-Mac''', is a [[Philippines|Filipino]] [[United States|American]] [[singer]] and came in ninth place on the [[American Idol (season 3)|third season]] of the reality/talent-search television series, ''[[American Idol]]''. She is one-quarter [[Irish people|Irish]], one-quarter [[Spanish people|Spanish]], and half [[Filipino people|Filipino]].<ref name="honoluluadvertiser">{{Cite web|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Feb/16/il/il01a.html|title=Velasco's audition on a lark leads to 'Idol' luck {{!}} The Honolulu Advertiser {{!}} Hawaii's Newspaper|website=the.honoluluadvertiser.com|language=en|access-date=June 26, 2018-06-26}}</ref>

Born in [[Makati City]], [[Philippines]], Camile Velasco's family later moved to [[Haiku-Pauwela, Hawaii|Haiku]], [[Maui]], [[Hawaii]]. Prior to American Idol, Velasco was a struggling songwriter/composer who worked at her parents' [[International House of Pancakes|IHOP]] Restaurant in [[Kahului]].<ref name="honoluluadvertiser"/>

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=== ''American Idol'' 3 contestant ===

In 2003, Velasco auditioned for ''[[American Idol]]'' in [[Honolulu]], [[Oahu]] and was unanimously accepted by the judges for her rendition of the chorus and bridge of ''"Ready or Not''&mdash;a"—a [[Delfonics]]-sampled classic by the [[Fugees]]. [[Simon Cowell]] remarked that “you’re actually very good,” assuring Velasco that she had “no need to be nervous.” [[Randy Jackson]] added that, “I love the sound of your voice. I love the kind of dark kinda quality of it.” Finally, [[Paula Abdul]] stated that “you have a real interesting tone. You’re a beautiful, beautiful girl.” She encouraged Velasco not to be afraid to “let go” and to “know and own the fact that you’re really good.”

In the Hollywood round, Velasco sang several songs solo and performed "[[You Can't Hurry Love]]" in a group. She was eventually advanced to the Top 32, in the second group of semifinalistssemi-finalists. After her performance of [[Brian McKnight]]'s "[[One Last Cry]]", Simon Cowell stated that "you are probably the best out of the group tonight." Before she left the stage, Randy Jackson requested that she infuse more of her [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] style into her next performance, and Velasco jovially replied, "I'll do it, baby." Velasco was as the top vote-getter in her group and advanced to the finals.

On ''American Idol'', Velasco's trademark was a red, yellow and green [[Rastafari movement|Rasta]] wristband, which she continually wore on her left wrist as a good luck charm and as a homage to the [[reggae]] movement (and her idols, [[Lauryn Hill]] and [[Bob Marley]], in particular). According to her, the three colors represented peace, happiness, and unity, respectively. Velasco also wore the ''[[3rd Eye Vision]]'' logo of the [[Hieroglyphics (band)|Hieroglyphics]], a [[San Francisco Bay Area]] hip-hop crew, on several occasions, reflecting her love of the music and culture. In the media, Velasco became known for wearing self-designed apparel, and for being consistently unafraid to express her unique interests, conscious outlook, and sensitive ideology.

Vocally, Velasco was quickly classified as being ''hip-hop''&mdash;a—a culture and style she certainly identified with (but was not limited to). In the competition, she was evencompared likened to her inspiration,with [[Lauryn Hill]], one of the most influential women in hip-hop&mdash;a comparison that nearly brought Velasco to tears. In the Top 12 finals, however, she sang ''"[[Son of a Preacher Man]]''", ''"[[Desperado (Eagles song)|Desperado]]''", ''"[[For Once in My Life]]''", and ''"[[Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (song)|Goodbye Yellow Brick Road]]'' in her own personal style, without consciously applying a particular genre to her performances".

=== Leaving ''American Idol'' ===

Velasco was eliminated from ''American Idol'' on April 7, 2004. She, [[Diana DeGarmo]] and [[Jasmine Trias]], a fellow [[Filipino-American]] from Hawaii, had received the fewest votes during [[Elton John]] week. However, DeGarmo was saved first and the remaining 2 contestants were asked to perform one last time before [[Ryan Seacrest]] revealed the night’s results. Mostly due to increasingly harsh criticisms from the judges, Velasco seemed to anticipate her departure. As a result, she became the first contestant to alter the lyrics of her song impromptu, substituting “the blues” with “I love you,” as she pointed to her fans in the audience and her fellow contestants, and replacing “back to the howling old owl in the woods” with “back to the island of Maui, at home.” Velasco kept her composure as her name was announced, but began to cry during her dedication video. As the show ended, the remaining finalists were quick to encircleencircled her in a tightan embrace.

In 2005, Velasco headlined a variety of gigs after signing with Universal/[[Motown Records]]. In the first half of the year, she performed at the [[Pro Bowl]] Concert in Hawaii; the Yeah Baby! Expo in Anaheim; a two-day concert for the 50th State Fair in Oahu; and in Phoenix and San Diego, where she sang the national anthem. Velasco also made appearances on American Idol and at the Gen Ex LA Fashion Week. When her first single, "Hangin’ On," was released, her demand increased, especially in the Filipino-American music scene. This led to several headlining concerts, including the two-day Fil-Am Unity Jam (A Night with Camile Velasco) [[3-Style Attractions]], Jam Sessions, and Lumpiapalooza 2 in California, as well as a concert with Gary Valenciano and IBU in Chicago. One of Velasco’sVelasco's more notable television appearances was a live performance on the TFC series World Musikahan with host, [[Ryan Cayabyab]], which aired in October. In 2005, she also got her first spot on a magazine cover for the Arizona Republic's Yes magazine.

In 2006, Velasco parted with Motown Records, but continued to perform around the US. In January, she made a rare East Coast appearance in New York, and made an announcement at a press conference that she would be joining the Filipino band, [[Aegis (band)|Aegis]], for a US tour. Throughout the year, Velasco made appearances on American Idol and the Idol Tonight segment. She also performed enthusiastically in Hawaii, almost once a month. On her [[MySpace]] page, Velasco chose to release a new song-in-the-making, entitled “Da"Da Da Da,”" that was met with a positive response from fans. In July, she took part in the filming of [[The Black Eyed Peas]]’ "Bebot" video. Also, in September alone, Velasco performed at a two-day concert and birthday celebration for her and her manager, she was a featured act at the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture in San Pedro, California, she was interviewed on LA TV, and she performed with fellow Idol alumnus, Jasmine Trias, in Maui. Before the close of 2006, she performed with IBU in Las Vegas, and briefly returned to the Philippines for a concert with [[apl.de.ap]].

As of April 2008, Velasco premiered a weekly show on [[YouTube|Youtube]] titled CamileTV, with a new episode every Friday. Shows are usually 2 to 3 minutes and include personal moments, performing live, playing instruments, and singing covers of pop, rock, jazz, and soul acts such as [[Alicia Keys]], [[Bob Marley]], Lauryn Hill, [[The Doors]], [[Amy Winehouse]], [[Estelle (musician)|Estelle]], [[India Arie|India.Arie]], [[Beck]], and [[Bad Company]]songs. Once CamileTV was launched, she began to perform once again. Her most notable appearance was at the APIA Vote seminar in May 2008 featuring Asian American Rapper [[KeyKool]] of [[the Visionaries]].

Her single "Guava Jelly" was produced by [[Stephen Marley (musician)|Stephen Marley]] and released onto iTunes in October 14, 2008. It received the [[Hawaii Music Awards]]' Single of the Year in April 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pr.com/press-release/148109|title=American Idol Camile Velasco Wins Hawaii Music Awards' Single of the Year of Hit Song Guava Jelly|work=PR.com|access-date=2018-06-June 26, 2018}}</ref> It was to be her first single off her debut album titled ''Koy'', which was originally scheduled to be released in 2009 but has yet to be released. Her next single "Super Star" was released in Japan in 2010.

In 2013, she appeared on the track "All My Time" on [[Cheesa]]'s debut album, ''Naked''.<ref>{{cite web|title=NAKED -– CHEESA|url=http://cheesaofficial.com/?albums=cheesa-naked|work=30 April 2013|publisher=CheesaOfficial.com|accessdate=31 August 31, 2013|deadurlurl-status=yesdead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825132348/http://cheesaofficial.com/?albums=cheesa-naked|archivedate=August 25 August, 2013|df=}}</ref> In 2014, she officially announced that she will be performing professionally under the stage name, Eli-Mac.

In October 2014, she released her Dubstop EP.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.honolulupulse.com/2015/01/heels-picks-eli-mac/|title=Heels & Picks: Eli-Mac shines with 'Dub Stop' -– Honolulu PulseHonolulu Pulse|last=Smith|first=Erin|date=January 20, 2015-01-20|work=Honolulu Pulse|access-date=June 26, 2018-06-26|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Songs performed on ''American Idol'' (televised) ===

* "[[Ready or Not (Fugees song)|Ready or Not]]" - – [[The Fugees]] ''Audition''

* "[[One Last Cry]]" - – [[Brian McKnight]] ''SemifinalsSemi-finals, 2nd Group''

* "[[Son of a Preacher Man]]" -– [[Dusty Springfield]] ''Soul Week''

* "[[Desperado (Eagles song)|Desperado]]" -– [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]] ''Country Week''

* "[[For Once in My Life]]" -– [[Stevie Wonder]] ''Motown Week''

* "[[Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (song)|Goodbye Yellow Brick Road]]" -– [[Elton John]] ''Elton John Week''

*''Dub Stop Ep'' EP (October 31, 2014)

*''Tricky One Ep'' EP (2018)

*2005: "Hangin On"<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2005/08/30/features/story1.html|title=Making a move: Camile Velasco has an isle show and just released her debut single|last=Genegabus|first=Jason|date=August 30, 2005|website=archives.starbulletin.com|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=June 26, 2018-06-26}}</ref>

[[Category:PeopleSingers from Makati]]

[[Category:21st-century Filipino women singers]]