Myleene Klass: A classy Austrian-Pinoy

There’s a reason why Myleene Angela Klass, the popular host of CNN International’s “The Screening Room" looks oddly familiar. Aside from being a pop-star, model, and British reality-TV celebrity, she is half-Filipino. Myleene was born in Gorleston, Norfolk, England to a Filipino mother and Austrian father on April 6, 1978. Her mother, Magdalena, took the duty of rearing Myleene and her two siblings --Jessie and Don -- since her father Oscar worked as a ship captain, and was often away from home. “They are very supportive and not pushy in the slightest,"she said about her parents in an interview posted in the British Broadcasting Company’s (BBC’s) Southampton website. In 2001, amid the singing-group craze in Britain, Myleene tried out for ITV1’s reality series 'Popstars' where from hundreds of hopefuls; five were chosen to be part of the pop band, Hear’Say. Despite starting to carve a name in the industry through pop music, Myleene was trained and influenced by classical music. Music runs in her blood Myleene took much of her musical notes from her father, who came from six generations of classical musicians. At the age of four, she began playing piano, as well as her grandfather's violin. Music was definitely in her genes since this same grandfather was once head of the Vienna Opera. Myleene was part of a singing trio with her siblings and everyone called them the "von Trapp kids." After attending two Catholic schools, St. Mary's and Notre Dame, she pursued her secondary education at Cliff Park High. When she was 14, Myleene was fortunate enough to be offered a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music, where she learned to play the harp. This school, which had her traveling to London from Norfolk every weekend, was a great experience for her, since this is where she could shine. As her high school graduation rolled around in the mid-'90s, she was offered a spot at Cambridge University but turned it down because she wanted to pursue a music career. She didn't waste any time, however, and got a part in the Miss Saigon musical at the West End. Myleene also took the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) exams in violin, piano and voice where she aced the A-level music test. The group only stayed together for 18 months following the release of its hit debut single, ‘Pure and Simple.’ They eventually disbanded due to poor sales record of their subsequent releases and negative publicity surrounding them. Instead of vanishing into obscurity like other pop music one-hit wonders, Myleene decided to embark on solo career. This time, she went back to her classical roots and showcased her virtuosity in playing the ivory keys. In 2003, she released her debut album Moving On, a remix of classical piano pieces like Fauré's Pavane, Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and Satie's Gymnopedie No.2. The album eventually reached double platinum. Her surprising comeback catapulted her once again in the limelight while other offers started coming in. “Myleene Klass …had both talent and an education to fall back on. She wasn't a damsel in distress, since she returned to her grand piano and classical music," read on her interview in the website AskMen.com. Two years later, following her successful album, Myleene again joined another reality show, "I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here" where she spent three weeks in the Australian jungle. Myleene attracted attention on the show by frequently appearing in skimpy swimsuits. The public immediately grew interest over her, and scoured the cyberspace for her photographs. At that time, she was among the most searched celebrities on the Internet. Her exotic looks also made her the endorser of Marks and Spencer as well as regularly landing in FHM’s annual 100 Sexiest Females list. She also showed her hosting skills after becoming a presenter on British popular music show "CD:UK." In 2007, she launched her own movie show on CNN International and has since interviewed A list celebrities including Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Robert De Niro and Johnny Depp among others. - Mark J. Ubalde, GMANews.TV