Seeking Asian stars

MOST of us are familiar with the plethora of Asian versions of hit reality shows from either the US or the UK.
However, Asia's Got Talent, which aired in 2015, stood out from the rest simply because it was well produced, featured some memorable talents, and the judges really knew what they were talking about.
The first season saw El Gamma Penumbra, a shadow play group from the Philippines, winning the grand prize of US$100,000 (RM427,810) and the opportunity to perform at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
Now, two years on, the highly-anticipated second season will air in October on AXN (Astro channels 701 / 721).
Hosting this new season are actors-models-presenters Alan Wong and Justin Bratton who are taking over from the first season's Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez.
Also, fans will not be seeing last season's judges Melanie C and Vanness Wu. Instead, K-pop superstar Jay Park is the new judge joining returning judges Indonesian diva Anggun and 16-time Grammy-winning producer David Foster on the panel.
Right now, the recording of the competition is well underway in Singapore, with the final auditions to determine the show's semi-finalists currently taking place.
During a series of interviews held recently at the island city's Marina Bay Sands resort, Foster disclosed what the judges are looking for this year.
Foster is known as a star-maker (he helped turn Celine Dion, Josh Groban, and Michael Buble into global superstars), but describes himself as the "Dream Crusher of Asia's Got Talent".
He is the first to admit that he does not mince his words when it comes to offering his opinion.
In season one, we noticed that many acts who did well in the auditions failed to live up to expectations during the semi-finals and finals.
Foster explained: "That is the mark of a champion, you know. A great hockey player can go out there at the last minute and score the winning goal.
"[It's the] same thing with music. [There are] singers who can go out there and not get flustered ... lights, camera, action, and they go."
When asked what it takes to be a winner, Foster replied: "Obviously, it is confidence.
"When I went horse riding for the first time years ago ... the horse went right back into the barn because I did not have confidence.
"We can sense this as judges, and so can the audience."
Foster has also given some acts good advice that they simply opted not to follow. "Well, I am not always right, but I have years of experience".
Foster also addressed the issue of indigenous music bands who decide to try out for the competition.
"The problem with indigenous bands in Asia, (people) who play music from their culture, it is hard to know if they are really good musicians or just a restaurant band.
"It is hard to discern. I know some fantastic bands who play in restaurants, but they are never going to be stars.
"Remember the Mongolian band from (the first season)? They made beautiful music, but they could just be a restaurant band (back in their hometown)."
Foster said there are incredible talents in Asia but they have to appeal to the whole world to become international stars.
He said they could use their cultural background, and infuse it with other more mainstream musical styles.
Foster feels that talent shows like Asia's Got Talent have proven that people look forward to pure talent, and not just style.
"In the end, you have to have a certain look – not traditional beauty – but charisma."