Zendee Rose Japitana Tenerefe, known mononymously as Zendee, is a Filipina singer & also a host. She rose to prominence after a video of her singing a karaoke version of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" was put on YouTube by Yuan Juan a.k.a. youngjay0918.[1] Known on YouTube as the "Random girl of SM Megamall" she gained a following and went on to sign with the record label Warner Music Philippines. Prior to her discovery, she had already participated in numerous singing competitions in the Philippines.
Zendee | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Zendee Rose Japitana Tenerefe |
| Born | June 21, 1991 General Santos, Philippines |
| Genres | Pop music Original Pilipino Music Rhythm and blues |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Labels | Warner Music Philippines MCA Music Entertainment Group |
| Website | www.zendeesinger.com |
Personal life
editTenerefe was born in General Santos in South Cotabato province until she moved to Manila to audition for the ABS-CBN talent search X Factor Philippines. She failed to go far in the local version of X Factor but still made efforts to continue singing.[2] Tenerefe also won as the Gensan Pop Idol in 2007, an annual competition every Tuna Festival.[3]
Tenerefe is in relationship with Archer Perez, a shoutcaster, esports event host and content creator, since February 2024.[4]
Discovery and viral video
editOn July 28, 2012, a video called "Random Girl" was uploaded to the video site YouTube by youngjay0918 a.k.a. Yuan Juan.[5][6] The video showed Tenerefe performing karaoke at the SM Megamall, Philippines. Her singing brought attention from viewers around the world and immediately became a viral video. The original video got over 2 million views in three months.[7] The video prompted the GMA Network magazine show, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho to look for her and when she was found they featured her in one of their episodes.[3] She admitted later that she sang in public to try and gain people's attention.[1]
Another video of her singing at the same event was uploaded to YouTube where she sings "And I Am Telling You" from the musical Dreamgirls.[8]
Musical career
editAfter Tenerefe was identified she began to be invited to TV shows. Her most "global" exposure was her appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show after being invited by Ellen DeGeneres herself.[9] Tenerefe is the fifth Philippine-raised singer to be invited after global superstar Charice, Ramiele Malubay, Rhap Salazar and Journey frontman Arnel Pineda.[10] She also met singer Jason Mraz and was the opening act in one of his concerts.[11] Zendee released her debut album, I Believe, in 2013. It has 10 songs and an acoustic version of her song "Runaway".[12] Her second album, Z, was released in 2015.[13]
Discography
editAlbums
- I Believe (2013)
- Z (2015)
Singles
- "Runaway" (2012)
- "Cutie Uyyy" (2021)
Shows and guest appearances
edit| Year | Title | Character/Role | Note(s) | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Mukhang Perya | Co-host | PIE Channel | |
| 2023 | Sino'ng Manok Mo? | Co-host | ||
| 2023 | Pera o Bayong | Co-host | ||
| 2021–2022 | Sing Galing! | Online Digiverse host | TV5 | |
| 2021 | Lunch Out Loud | Guest performer | ||
| 2020 | Eat Bulaga: Bawal Judgmental | Contestant | Together with Marvin Fojas | GMA Network |
| 2019 | Tawag ng Tanghalan: Celebrity Champions | Celebrity contender | Batch 2 contender | ABS-CBN |
| 2012 | Party Pilipinas | Guest performer | GMA Network | |
| Magpakailanman: The Zendee Life Story | Guest | Role portrayed by Louise delos Reyes | ||
| Headstart with Karen Davila | Guest | ABS-CBN News Channel | ||
| The Ellen DeGeneres Show | Guest | Syndication |
References
edit- ^ a b "'Next big thing': Zendee wows 'em". Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 28, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
- ^ "Zendee opens up on 'X Factor PH' failure". ABS-CBN News. November 15, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
- ^ a b "YouTube Random Girl comes home to GenSan". GenSan News Online. 2012-08-15. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
- ^ "28th, A night to remember". Facebook. 2024-02-28. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
- ^ "And I Am Telling You (Random Girl)(SM Megamall)". YouTube Channel youngjay0918. July 28, 2012.
- ^ "SHE Sighting: Zendee Rose Tenerefe a.k.a. "Random Girl at SM Megamall"". Yahoo! Philippines. August 11, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
- ^ "'Random girl' from PH performs on 'Ellen'". ABS-CBN News. October 27, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
- ^ "And I Am Telling You (Random Girl)(SM Megamall)". YouTube. 2012-07-28. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
- ^ "Girl nails Whitney Houston song on grocery store karaoke machine". Ellen. September 18, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
- ^ "LIST: Filipino talents featured on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' | ABS-CBN News". ABS-CBN News. May 13, 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
- ^ All Access: Zendee meets Jason Mraz GMA News. May 25, 2013
- ^ "I Believe by Zendee".
- ^ "Z by Zendee".