Here’s what we can expect from ‘Asia’s Got Talent’ season 2

SINGAPORE – Cameras are about to roll for one of the biggest and arguably, the most diverse talent show in Asia. During its first season, it featured a plethora of talents ranging from the familiar to the awe-inducing they-can-do-that? acts from across the region. Yes, we’re talking Asia’s Got Talent and its soon-to-come second season.

You will recall that for its initial showing in 2015, the finals night had two Filipinos within its top 3 winners: 3rd place went to soprano extraordinaire Gerphil Flores and the show’s ultimate winner was the amazing shadow dance group, El Gamma Penumbra. Will we continue this winning streak?

At a presscon held July 27 at the ArtScience Museum of the Marina Bay Sands, this question seems to be upmost in the minds of the reporters present, at least those of us from the Philippines. And rightly so because apart from the aforementioned, there were also two other Filipinos who were part of the top 9 finalists: dance troupe Junior New System and then-10 year old singer, Gwyneth Dorado.

We’ve yet to find out the answer to this question but your favorite talent show has just announced some major changes.

Jay Park

The decision to have 3 judges instead of 4. Grammy Award-winning producer David Foster and international singing star Anggun are back at the judges’ table and they are joined this time by Asian hiphop phenomenon, Jay Park.

While much younger than his cohorts, Park is no slouch himself: At the age of 30 he has an impressive resume that includes being a multiplatinum artist, owner of two record labels and just recently, he was signed up by ROC Nation, the first Asian American artist of Jay-Z’s influential record label. It would be interesting to witness how this new arrangement with the judges plays out.

David Foster is impressed with his new co-judge. “He’s a sharp young kid,” he says. “There’s a gap between his age and my age so vast and yet we share this commonality of music. And whether it’s rap and R&B that he does and the music that I do, we share that commonality of music.”

But he is quick to dispel that he will be any less argumentative with him. With an impish grin, he continues, “So, we will have this common ground but we’re gonna disagree a lot. And because, the thing is, singers don’t know how to pick stars. I haven’t told him that yet. But you know, they just don’t. If you think about it, singers need producers, singers need people like me to help them with their careers. And I don’t believe singers in general could get, you know, singing stars. We might battle over that a little.”

Anggun, on the other hand, is downright curious as to how the two boys will interact during the show. “… he’s achieved so much at such a young age. I think he will bring a lot of excitement into the judging panel. We can see that he’s such a character. And I am really curious to see the interaction between the two boys because David, David can really be… he can really ask you hard-hitting questions and you would just answer with something. But he’s got something up his sleeve. And I think there will be some ping pong moments. And me being the only girl I am kinda a bit comfortable and not at the same time. So, we’ll see. “

As the youngest and newest addition, does Jay Park feel intimidated by the task at hand, specifically by his co-judges? Don’t think so. In fact, he says, “They are great. They are very charming. They are very easygoing. I don’t feel a lot of pressure but in terms of showing my personality I am kind of vocal and I do… I don’t get kind of… I don’t know how to say this in English, it feels like I am forgetting my English but I am very good at showing myself, at showing how I really am. I don’t think there will be a problem with that aspect.”

He further cautions, “I am very respectable to whoever may be. I don’t feel like I am better than anyone else just because of who I am or the place that I’m at in my career. But in terms of judging talent, I don’t [think] I’m going to [be] that easygoing. I’m going to be honest but respectable at the same time.”

The judges are also joined by a new set of hosts, MTV Asia VJ Allan Wong and actor/film-maker Justin Bratton.

Traveloka Awards

Aside from the $100,000 prize money for the top talent, a new award is being introduced. Called the Traveloka Awards, this will go to the talent who will be voted as having the most inspiring life story. Presented by the program’s newest partner, flight and hotel booking app Traveloka, the award will be given to a deserving act whether or not they make it to the grand finals.

All in all, these changes make for a very interesting development in what is already a red-hot entertainment show. The first season was wildly followed within the region and especially in the Philippines. Will season 2 supersede expectations? Will the Philippines once again dominate the stage come finals night? Will David Foster finally discover the next Whitney Houston? Well, we’ll all soon find out when the show premieres on your local AXN channel come October. – Rappler.com