(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Teenage X Factor Australia winner talks about her transition from schoolgirl to pop star
After her life-changing win at this year’s X Factor Australia 19-year-old Filipino-Australian Marlisa Punzalan is well on her way to hitting global fame with the release of her self-titled debut album under Sony Music.
The previously shy school girl opened up to City Times about the changes in her daily life in the land down under.
“It’s been very busy the past few months with non-stop gigs all around Australia promoting the new album but I’ve been having so much fun” she says.
“Winning The X Factor Australia was a dream come true for me. My life has changed a lot but now I’m slowly adjusting to it.”
Despite the busy tour schedule the teen star still puts her studies among her top priorities saying that she still want to to be able to pursue university and finish a degree. She has recently taken up home schooling to accomodate the changes in her schedule.
“I think getting on with my studies is definitely important I still want to go to uni but for now I’m really happy to be able to pursue what I love the most which is singing.” Marlisa also shared some valuable lessons she has learned from joining The X Factor Australia and working with her mentor Ronan Keating.
“Ronan is an awesome mentor” she says. “I really enjoyed working with him. He has a great sense of humour so we have fun all the time. He has helped me a lot to overcome being nervous on stage. He believed in me and always stood up for me.
“Before every performance like running on race Ronan tells me to always come prepared and always project confidence” she adds.
This newfound confidence has since spilled over to her personal life as Marlisa is now enjoying the popularity among her peers and carrying herself well meeting different people on the road. Marlisa is also grateful for the unwavering support of her fellow Filipinos in Australia and all over the world.
“We have a big community of Filipinos in Australia and they are all very supportive. I also got a lot of support from my family; my parents are originally from Bataan province and all our relatives back home and I’m just very grateful to all of them. It’s really overwhelming.
With her debut album reaching number 1 in the Philippines Marlisa is looking forward to visiting and performing in the Philippines next year. Meanwhile UAE fans can download her top tune Stand by You and the rest of her album from iTunes.
Kristine Abante brings you the lowdown from the Filipino entertainment world.