'Next Justin Bieber' upbeat on Manila visit

MANILA, Philippines - Canadian star Justin Bieber’s success gave birth to copycats and wannabes the world over. But the one who is fast-emerging to be his successor as global teen idol is kind of original and exceptionally talented in his own way. 

Fourteen-year-old YouTube sensation Greyson Chance is set to promote his debut album in the Philippines with a couple of mall shows. The live gigs, set at Eastwood Mall Open Park, tomorrow, Nov. 19 and at the Venice Piazza Mall in McKinley Hill the following day, Nov. 20, are expected to be attended by his Filipino fans who want to see in the flesh the boy recording industry insiders predict as the “Next Justin Bieber.”

The American singer-songwriter and pianist recently released his MCA Music distributed-debut album titled Hold On Til The Night. It’s actually the first package off talk show host Ellen DeGeneres’ record label eleveneleven.

In an interview with Filipino entertainment writers, he said, “I’m excited to see the Philippines, its culture, and of course, my fans.”

Chance’s pre-album singles Waiting Outside the Lines and Unfriend You have already been fan favorites as these songs immediately gave his voice original songs to identify with. Interestingly, the former has an official remix featuring the vocals of Charice.

The 10-track CD mostly contains songs Chance co-wrote with numerous collaborators. Those with copies of his album will be given the chance to get his autograph come showtime at the themed lifestyle centers owned by Megaworld Corporation. Both gigs are slated at 7 p.m., with MCA’s local artists, Krissy & Ericka, along with Sabrina, serving as front acts.

When asked for his reaction on the Bieber comparison, he replied, “It doesn’t give me pressure being compared to Justin Bieber. He’s an amazing and cool artist. Besides, I just love to perform and happy that a lot of people are extending their way to support me.”

His live acoustic piano performance of Lady Gaga’s Paparazzi has earned so much praise that it has now garnered over 44 million views on YouTube. That breakout moment led him to be discovered by DeGeneres whose label name she picked because she said she found him on the 11th (May 2010) and that his soccer jersey number is 11.

“I love Gaga,” Chance told this paper, “It felt good that my performance of her song turned out pretty well.”

One of the Youtube comments said, “He’s awesome. Please replace him to Justin Bieber!”

Chance, a self-confessed football fan, also named Taylor Swift as one of his big inspirations. He recalls having an old piano in their house and that it had been his dream to be a musician.

For anyone superbly talented as him, who is dubbed by one Toronto reviewer as a “YouTube talent standing on solid artistic ground,” dreams can come true at such an early age.