Zela. Picture: Courtesy of Zela
Whereas Zela Lockhart — who established herself as Zela as a singer-songwriter — is completely satisfied that P-pop is gaining extra recognition, she hopes that solo artists may have an opportunity to shine as nicely.
Lockhart had a vibrant smile as she spoke about her beginnings in music in an interview with INQUIRER.internet. Donning a easy tee and outsized denims, she had the stance of a mannequin. However she instantly turned shy when complimented for her magnificence, saying it has one thing to do together with her Filipino and American descent.
“Very shy and awkward ako off-cam (I’m very shy and awkward off-cam),” she admitted. “However once I’m onstage, nag-iiba ako (I alter) once I carry out.”
The singer-songwriter was born within the Philippines earlier than relocating to the US together with her music. Rising up, she was surrounded by individuals who liked music. “It has at all times been in my life. I come from a household of singers. They don’t seem to be well-known, however they take pleasure in singing,” she recalled, saying she loved writing songs even earlier than her debut.
Lockhart was on trip within the Philippines when she was provided to be an actress. She was conscious of her impending return however acquired into the rhythm of performing workshops and different associated actions. The wait was powerful — particularly since her time within the nation was nearly up. She was about to surrender when she was provided to be a solo artist by AQ Prime Music.
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And the remaining was historical past. She was launched into the limelight together with her debut single “Karma” in September 2023. Two years later, she was introduced as one of many Philippines’ representatives on the Waterbomb Manila competition on February 22 and 23, which might be held on the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
“Each occasion or present, tinatanggap ko as a result of hindi pa ako kilala (I settle for them as a result of I’m not but identified). It is a good platform for me to advertise extra and the P-pop neighborhood,” she mentioned of her upcoming gig. “I’m honored to signify P-pop and lift our flag.”
Launched in Seoul, South Korea in 2015, the annual competition options Okay-pop, hip-hop, and EDM performers, together with water-based actions. Referring to its theme, the vast majority of the performances flip up the warmth, an element that Lockhart has been getting ready herself.
“I feel isa ‘yun sa nireready ko for myself,” she mentioned of the competition’s theme. “Hindi ako sanay. Kapag nagpe-perform ako sa P-pop [gigs ko], hindi naman ako nagshoshow ng pores and skin. [Pero] excited ako!”
“Hindi ko masyadong iniisip [anong pwedeng mangyari]. I like performing, and mas nagfofocus ako sa coaching kaysa sa worries ko. Maraming bagay na kailangang paghandaan. Hindi [ko na] iniisip ‘yung negativity,” she continued.
(I feel it is among the issues I’m getting ready myself for. I’m not used to it. After I carry out in my P-pop gigs, I don’t present my pores and skin usually. However I’m excited. I don’t assume what can occur an excessive amount of. I like performing, and I focus extra on coaching as a substitute of my worries. I would like to arrange for lots of issues. I don’t take into consideration the negativity an excessive amount of.)
Zela throughout an interview with INQUIRER.internet. Picture: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.internet
Navigating strain as a feminine artist
Hustling has at all times been a part of a P-pop artist’s schedule. A lot of them settle for occasion inquiries, TV appearances, interviews, and different associated actions in hopes of placing their names on the market. Zela isn’t any stranger to the hustle and the strain it entails.
Lockhart believes each occasion is a chance to show herself. And together with her Waterbomb gig, she hopes it might open extra doorways not just for herself but additionally for her fellow artists.
“There may be at all times strain [because] I at all times attempt for excellence. Porket hindi malaki ang occasion, hindi ako magre-ready,” she mentioned. “Tinuturuan kami palagi to be prepared [for whatever happens], kasi hindi mo na lang alam na might occasion pala on the identical day. I take advantage of the strain as motivation to do good. Hindi [ko] siya tinetake [negatively].”
(There may be at all times strain as a result of I at all times attempt for excellence. I’ll at all times be ready irrespective of the occasion. We had been taught to at all times be prepared no matter occurs. We by no means know whether or not an occasion will occur on the identical day or not. I take advantage of the strain as motivation to do good. I don’t take it negatively.)
Zela. Picture: Instagram/@zlockhart01
Referring to her songwriting course of, Lockhart says girls empowerment is on the core of her artistry. She tells tales of her personal experiences, in addition to her pals and other people she is aware of. However she doesn’t need to painting girls tearing one another down in her music.
“I don’t need to write songs [that put] ladies down. I need to empower my followers to be assured, and to be happy with being girls,” she mentioned, admitting that it’s arduous to be a lady within the trade. “I need to inform them that [you] can do nearly every thing. [I want to] remind them they will do ]many] issues.”
The singer-songwriter can also be impressed by the success of feminine artists, citing the huge fame of P-pop powerhouse BINI. “I actually need to be there. It’s thrilling. It’s time na babae naman (for feminine artists to be on high).”
“Lagi kong sinasabi sa mga followers ko to idolize [female artists] (I at all times remind my followers to idolize feminine artists),” she continued. “Huwag tayo [gumawa] ng competitors. Tayo-tayo lang naman ang magkasama (Allow us to not stir competitors. We solely have one another on the finish of the day).”
On the similar time, Zela hopes that she and her fellow solo artists might be acknowledged on their very own deserves in P-pop. She additionally hopes that her personal journey will encourage them to not surrender on carving a reputation for themselves.
“I hope for equal alternatives in P-pop, lalo na sa mga P-pop soloists. Gusto kong umangat kami. Wala pa kasi masyadong kilalang P-pop soloists kaya sabi ko that I actually need to work arduous for this. Kailangan naming umangat. Half din naman kami ng P-pop kaya kailangan din naming makilala. Hindi lang teams,” she mentioned.
(I hope for equal alternatives in P-pop, particularly for P-pop soloists. I would like us to rise. There aren’t many identified P-pop soloists on the market. Because of this I informed myself I actually need to work arduous for this. We have to rise. We’re a part of P-pop and we need to be identified, not simply teams.)
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Zela poses together with her labelmates, P-pop boy group BILIB, throughout an interview with INQUIRER.internet. Picture: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.internet
Lockhart is among the Filipino performers of Waterbomb Manila’s second day. Becoming a member of her are her labelmates and P-pop boy group BILIB, Kenet, 2Spade, Mar Vista, Siena Women, Aster, and NEO.
Korean artists who’re included on the second day are Jessi, Sunmi, Hyolyn, Grey, BamBam, Cranium, HaHa, Oh My Woman, Kang Daniel, Reddy, VIVIZ, Yang Sechan, Sulreggae, U-Kwon, and Insidecore.
