Filipino transwoman makes it to 'The Voice USA'
Published Mar 8, 2018 03:47 am
Filipino singer and transwoman Angel Bonilla made history in the 14th season of American singing competition “The Voice USA” by becoming its first transgender contestant.
Angela Bonilla (Instagram)
Angel, who was born Carlos in the Philippines, impressed "The Voice" coach and Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine with her rendition of Sam Smith’s “Lay Me Down” and became part of his team.
She shared during the panel interview her journey as transwoman.
“As early as 5 years old, I already knew that I am a girl trapped in a boy’s body,” Angel said.
Growing up in a conservative family made her situation even more difficult.
“When my dad saw me as a girl for the first time, he was puzzled. He’s not sure if I am his son. But he embraced me,” she said.
Angel wants to make her family proud, doing her best in every competition she joins. During the show, her father was seen cheering for her.
Angel has joined other singing competitions in the past, including “The X Factor” and “Discovery International Pop Song Festival” in Bulgaria.
“I promised him that I will do great things. I wanted my father to be proud of me and I’m doing this to honor him,” she added.
Aside from being a proud trans, Angel also expresses how proud she is representing the Filipinos. She tweeted a photo of her performance with the caption, “I am a proud filipina transgender singer/artist! Thank you @NBCTheVoice.” Angel also used the hashtags #transpinay and #Philippines.
The Filipino singer also received a lot of well-wishes on social media. “If you follow your heart with persistence, and not giving up! Everything is possible. I made it in #teamadam@adamlevine Thank you!,” she posted on Instagram.
Many people also commended “The Voice” for supporting the LGBTQ community by promoting their singers fairly. “The Voice” was nominated as Outstanding Reality Program in 2012 GLAAD Media Awards, which “recognizes and honors media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community and the issues that affect their lives.”
Angela Bonilla (Instagram)
Angel, who was born Carlos in the Philippines, impressed "The Voice" coach and Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine with her rendition of Sam Smith’s “Lay Me Down” and became part of his team.
She shared during the panel interview her journey as transwoman.
“As early as 5 years old, I already knew that I am a girl trapped in a boy’s body,” Angel said.
Growing up in a conservative family made her situation even more difficult.
“When my dad saw me as a girl for the first time, he was puzzled. He’s not sure if I am his son. But he embraced me,” she said.
Angel wants to make her family proud, doing her best in every competition she joins. During the show, her father was seen cheering for her.
Angel has joined other singing competitions in the past, including “The X Factor” and “Discovery International Pop Song Festival” in Bulgaria.
“I promised him that I will do great things. I wanted my father to be proud of me and I’m doing this to honor him,” she added.
Aside from being a proud trans, Angel also expresses how proud she is representing the Filipinos. She tweeted a photo of her performance with the caption, “I am a proud filipina transgender singer/artist! Thank you @NBCTheVoice.” Angel also used the hashtags #transpinay and #Philippines.
The Filipino singer also received a lot of well-wishes on social media. “If you follow your heart with persistence, and not giving up! Everything is possible. I made it in #teamadam@adamlevine Thank you!,” she posted on Instagram.
Many people also commended “The Voice” for supporting the LGBTQ community by promoting their singers fairly. “The Voice” was nominated as Outstanding Reality Program in 2012 GLAAD Media Awards, which “recognizes and honors media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community and the issues that affect their lives.”