Talent will not get you anywhere without a support system. For most celebrities, the much-needed support comes from his/her family. And this is the case for Ramiele Malubay. She said, “If I ever have like a singing gig or whatever in Orlando, in Tampa or whatever, they’ll take the day off from work or the weekend off. Then, they’ll drive me there. It’s a lot of money, you know, gas isn’t cheap anymore. They’ll just drive me anywhere and take me shopping for clothes.” Ramiele Malubay continued to share, “And my dad has sacrificed a lot. I’m not like a minor anymore so my parents are not allowed to come, you know, obviously, to the auditions and everything. But he [her father] flew to California during the holiday. We stayed in another hotel and he just came to see me for dinner and stuff. Just like support, you know, because I feel weird my parents are not in the same state.” Ramiele Malubay is definitely lucky to have a family like that. Go Pinoys!

Trivia #1: Instead of singing in the shower, the Pinay American Idol finalist has a better “program” — “People would be surprised to learn that instead of singing in the shower, I like put the music on, like random songs, like Spice Girls, that stuff, and dance in the shower. It’s kinda personal but, yeah,” shared Ramiele Malubay.

Trivia #2: Balot is the weirdest thing she has ever eaten. “It’s like… I think it’s a duck egg. It’s cooked but there’s a baby inside, baby, the bird thing. And you’re supposed to eat the whole thing, it’s kinda gross.” Ramiele Malubay further added, “I don’t know. I don’t it anymore. But yeah, it tastes good if you eat the outside part instead of the baby inside.”

Trivia #3: And her most embarrassing moment? Ramiele Malubay narrated, “I was wearing heels because… I swear short people should stay like lower to the ground. That’s why God make you short, you know. I went on stage, I was wearing like stilettos. I went go to turn around and slipped. I was wearing a dress so it’s not cute.”

Then read on! =) Or you could go to the official website of American Idol and watch her video interview there. In the said interview, Ramiele Malubay shared what she felt when she made it as one of the semifinalists of seventh season of American Idol. She says, “When I found out that I was on top 24, I kinda slapped my face, that really hurt. I kinda stood and sit up a whole bunch of times because I really didn’t know…” LOL! Ramiele Malubay further reveals, “I thought she [Paula Abdul] was psyching me out and telling me I wasn’t gonna make it. I don’t know, I don’t know what she was thinking. And then, when I made it, I kinda freaked out a little bit. I went downstairs and they told me I was just like I had this plain look on my face.” Being included in the Top 24 is already a big achievement, but Ramiele Malubay said that fame has yet to hit her. The “Pinay of the Moment” humbly related, “I didn’t know how to take it yet. It still hasn’t hit me. I’m not like, ‘Oh yeah.’ Maybe it’ll hit me when I’m like walking on the street.”

The 20-year old Filipino-American from Miramar, Florida is really making waves in the seventh season of American Idol! In fact, Ramiele Malubay has been wowing the judges ever since her initial auditions in Miami last year in order to qualify for the American Idol Hollywood round. And her superb performance last Wednesday night only made it easier for the judges to appreciate her singing talent more. Even Simon Cowell gushed at her performance! And so, it wasn’t a surprise that Ramiele Malubay survived American Idol’s first cut last Friday night. Yes boys and girls — our girl is officially in the top 20! =) She counts her musical influences to be Aretha Franklin, Jackson 5, Mariah Carey, Lani Misalucha, and Regine Velasquez. Ooohh, Ramiele Malubay is really 100% Pinay! Imagine, counting Lani and Regine among the likes of Aretha as her influences! SWEET! You can be sure of my vote now gurl! Hehe!

Yep, some big things do come in small packages! And Ramiele Malubay is one of them. The 12 female contestants of the seventh season of American Idol faced off last Wednesday night, and she is one of those who shined. The LA Times said, “Ramiele Malubay was rightly praised for dusting off Dusty Springfield’s “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” with aplomb, and her secret ingredient was a dollop of the elegant cheesiness that typifies Asian pop.” Of course, by now, Filipinos all over the world are rejoining with the singer’s early success. The LA Times further said, “Ramiel Malubay’s serious pipes are fast defeating “Idol’s” anti-brown bias — along with David Archuleta and Danny Noriega, she’s forcing the show’s producers to acknowledge that not every talent comes in black or white.” Oh yeah! Brown is the new “in” color! Hehe! And it doesn’t hurt that Ramiel is easy on the eyes too.. =)