The Mega mentor

MANILA, Philippines - “It’s about sharing. It’s (no longer about) me. It’s about helping others. It’s time to give back.” That’s Sharon Cuneta speaking about what she will do as Mega mentor starting Oct. 10 for her new ABS-CBN show Star Power: Sharon’s Search for the Next Female Pop Superstar.

Her three-decade career and 40 hit albums are enough for Sharon to bank as she brings out the star quality in a female singing aspirant.

“The peg is very blurry,” replies Sharon when asked about the archetype she and the judges have in mind of the soon-to-be singing sensation. “A real star of high caliber doesn’t only have the talent. Skills can be learned. She has a good mind and is a total package. She should know how to stand in front of the audience without airs. The camera is very sensitive. It can be your friend or your enemy. She should have humility and have a social conscience.”

Sharon hopes the 12 top choices which will be trimmed down soon to five will imbibe all these. After all, she has been there and done that — and how!

The Megastar relates choosing the best is the most difficult thing she has done in her career so far. It pains her to see aspirants cry. But she is happy that she and a special panel of jurors have come up with a good crop of talents out of those who trooped to Dolphy Theater with their loved ones and tried their luck. Billy Crawford, Mitch Valdez and direk Bobot Mortiz will comprise the judges’ circle. Christian Bautista and Erik Santos also co-host the talent show.

“I’m excited to mentor them,” says Sharon. “It’s time to give back to the business. It’s not about paycheck. I’m not a righteous person but it’s much easier to do good things to people than to be selfish.”

Like the passionate performer that she is, Sharon is very involved in the show and extends her care to everyone, especially the contestants off cam.

“You can be critical but constructive,” Sharon describes herself as mentor. She doesn’t want to ruin someone else’s spirit. She is a good mix of Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell but not fawning and gushing.

Aspirants will face real pressures, real hardships and real drama as they inch their way to stardom. They have to answer every judge’s question: “Do you have the power to impress me?” Whoever can answer it with a resounding yes will be the last Star Power contestant standing. Sharon will help hopefuls from Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao tap their full potential and enhance their singing and performing skills.

Every season of Star Power will cater to a different kind of group (male contestants or kids). 

On top of mentoring, Sharon will welcome everyone to her world as homemaker on Lifestyle Network’s Sharon at Home which premieres on Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Sharon will cook dishes and talk about life with guests ranging from experts to friends and family. Experience the simple joys of life with Sharon in her home where she is “most myself.”

Next year, Sharon will play host and adviser in The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition. The show will see overweight contestants go through rigorous training to lose weight and have a healthy lifestyle.

What advice will Sharon give young artists to stay long in the biz?

“(Honestly,) I don’t know what they can do,” she replies. “Love your work. It will love you back.”