Filipina wows judges, becomes first trans contestant in ‘The Voice’ US

Maroon5 frontman and ‘The Voice’ coach Adam Levine made a historic turn on Monday as he welcomed Angel Bonilla to his team, officially making the Filipina from Cabuyao, Laguna the first transgender contestant to compete in the show.

Angel introduced herself to the coaches with pride, saying, "I'm Angel Bonilla. I was born Carlos back in the Philippines."

"As early as five years old, I already knew that I am a girl trapped in a boy’s body," she told the continued.

Her father was apprehensive about her gender identity and had difficulties growing up with in a conservative family. Nonetheless, he has embraced who she is and Angel is determined to do great things "to honor him."

Huffington Post reported on the historic moment, which the article's writer Lyndsey Parker said could earn "The Voice" another GLAAD Award. 

The show has earned accolades for regularly having openly gay contestants. 

Parker noted that Angel has a fair chance of winning, as "no stranger to singing competitions", having previously appeared in "The X Factor" and placing second runner-up in the 2016 Discovery International Pop Song Festival. — Aya Tantiangco, GMA News