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Pops Fernandez is first Filipina to judge for ‘The World’s Best’
LOS ANGELES — An unexpected offer. An unexpected call.
That was how singer-actress-TV host Pops Fernandez described how she got the gig for being the first Filipina to judge at “The World’s Best” show to be hosted by James Corden.
“Little did I know that I would be the first Filipina to be featured in the show as a judge!” Pops exclaimed. “It was a wonderful experience. It is a fantastic show. I hope they will do more seasons and I can get together again with the other 49 judges from all over the world. We bonded so much. We told each other, I am going to miss you. We are supporting each other. Everyone is so supportive and interested.”
Hosted by James Corden, the first-of-its-kind global talent competition will feature acts from every genre imaginable, from every corner of the planet. They not only have to impress the all-star line-up of American judges which include Drew Barrymore, RuPaul Charles and Faith Hill, but the acts will also need to break through the “Wall of the World” which features 50 of the world’s most accomplished experts from every field of entertainment.
And Pops is one of the 50 international judges who will choose only one act that will ultimately be crowned “The World’s Best” and bag the $1 million prize after 10 episodes of the competition.
Proudly competing and representing the Philippines in the contest are the TNT Boys.
Below are excerpts of our conversation with Pops:
Please tell us what is your role in this show, THE WORLD’S BEST
I will be one of the 50 world judges and it’s an honor for me that I was chosen and represent the Philippines. It was an amazing experience. We all got to know each other. We are just so fond of each other now. It was nice that I met new friends from different parts of the world.
What is the show about?
THE WORLD’S BEST is a talent competition and it is about choosing the best from different countries. There will be different acts from different parts of the world. Then we will find or choose the best in the world.
What are the prizes?
I am not sure yet.
When is it going to be shown?
It is going to be shown on Feb. 3 after the NFL.
Who conducted the search?
Not sure anymore what the secrets of the stories are. But former beauty queen Lisa Manibog Lew mentioned it to me. I used to do a hosting stint in Los Angeles and she mentioned to me that they were looking for a judge. Then another friend from LA messaged me about the same thing. So I said to myself, I guess they are really looking for me for a judging stint. They never told me about the show. I was just getting bits and pieces lang. It made me more curious and interested.
(Lisa Manibog Lew Brennan, the former 1982 Binibining Pilipinas International, and her husband Peter Brennan, have won eight Emmy awards for producing hit courtroom reality series like “Cristina’s Court,” “Hard Copy” and “Judge Judy.” She is also known as a philanthropist in the Filipino community in Los Angeles.)
There was an unexpected offer, an unexpected call. I also got curious. Hindi na ako masyadong lumalabas so the excitement got bigger. Very mysterious.
Then I got a call from Martin (Nievera, her ex). I was doing a video shoot. Martin texted me and asked me if I heard about the show. Yes, I told him. He said that they chose him. I said, Really, wow good for you. But then Martin said, I don’t think I can make it. I can’t make the dates. So he asked me if I could do it instead? I thought that was really touching of him to think of me. I said, That is so sweet of you.
Little did I know that I would be the first Filipina to be featured in the show as a judge. It was a wonderful experience. It is a fantastic show. I hope they will do more seasons and I can get together again with the other 49 judges. We bonded so much. We told each other, I am going to miss you. We are supporting each other. Everyone is so supportive and interested.
