Fil-Am in Top 3 of US singing competition 'Duets'

Jason Farol, a Filipino-American singer, is in the Top 3 of the American reality singing contest “Duets” Season One where a winner will be crowned in the finale on July 19.   Farol was personally selected by “American Idol” season one winner Kelly Clarkson to join “Duets” as her protégé.   The show, handled by American Broadcasting Company, is a unique approach on American reality singing contests as the mentor-judges also take it to the stage with their protégés, the “Duets” website said.    The mentor-judges are superstars Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, and Robin Thicke. They chose two young talents to be their protégés who perform with them each week in front of live audiences.   The three remaining protégés are Farol and mentor-judge Nettles’ J Rome and John Glosson.   Week 8 performances   For the performances on July 12, the contenders sang songs picked by their mentors following the theme of “Superstar’s Choice,” according to entertainment site Hollywood Invasian.     The night’s performances were divided into two where a duet and a solo song were performed by each contender.   For his duet song with Clarkson, Farol sang the classic “Me and Mrs. Jones” by Billy Paul which received mixed feedback from the mentor-judges.   Legend said Farol lacked confidence during the performance.   Nettles, on the other hand, loved Farol's performance but Thicke said he missed the “naughtiness” of the song.   Meanwhile, the J Rome-Nettles duet blew the crowd away with The Script’s “Breakeven,” which was given a standing ovation by all mentor-judges.   The Glosson-Nettles duet also got positive feedback from the mentor-judges with “The Prayer.”   For their solo performances, J Rome sang Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours.” Glosson performed “Bless the Broken Road.” Farol closed the night with his funky rendition of Bruno Mars’ “Runaway Baby.”   What the tweeps say   Meanwhile, Filipinos on Twitter expressed their support for Farol.   Josue M. Gube Jr.: “@JasonDuets Voting is closing. People of the Philippines vote Jason Farol & Kelly Clarkson.”   Rica Siason: “Jason Farol of Duets the Pinoy Pride!! Please vote for him! <33”   Arlene Quitevis: “Pasok sa finale si Jason Farol yayy.”   To support Farol, you may visit the official Facebook website of “Duets” where you can vote for him. - VVP, GMA News