By Carissa Alcantara
Also known as Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson or Gabi for short, H.E.R. is currently one of the most celebrated and accomplished twentysomething singer-songwriters in the international music scene.
To celebrate her many successes, ABS-CBN Global and M.Y.X. hosted an exclusive Mixer Event at the Sheraton Manila Hotel in Pasay recently.
In an interview, Gabi shared her experience of celebrating the Christmas season in the Philippines.
“Oh my gosh, It’s been amazing, I have my family over here, and we’ve been eating a lot of Filipino food, brushing up my Tagalog, and I’m having a really great time,” Gabi said.
She also mentioned that her favorite Filipino food is Kare-Kare, a local stew.
“My favorite will always be Kare-Kare, and I cook it too, and they’re really good,” she said.
Aldrin M. Cerrado, ABS-CBN Global Chief Operating Officer, welcomed H.E.R. at the event.
“We’re very happy that H.E.R. is in town for the holidays. ABS-CBN Global and MYX are very excited about the projects we will work on together in the coming months,” Cerrado said.
Daughter of a Filipina American mother and African American father, the 25-year-old San Francisco Bay Area native has been nominated 25 times at the prestigious Grammy Awards. She has won five trophies.
H.E.R. has had an incredible journey, punctuated with inspiring projects and accolades that have quickly ascended her to superstar status.
In 2021, her powerful song “Fight For You” from the Warner Bros. Pictures film “Judas and the Black Messiah” won the Oscars for Best Original Song.
Playing the role of Belle in Disney’s reimagined and reinvented part-live action, part-animated “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration,” Gabi also shared that it’s her dream to be a Disney Princess.
“I was really excited because I’ve always wanted to be a Disney princess, and there are so many things going through my mind, So I’m like, I’m gonna own this role,” she said.
H.E.R. also mentioned about her experience working with musician Josh Groban on set. “Josh is so awesome, he is a super kind and super sweet person, so talented and easy to work with on set,” Gabi also said.
Aside from her recent project, Gabi also revealed that she will be appearing in a movie entitled “Colored Purple.” Then later, she will work on another album.
“I’m excited to work on this particular album because I’m doing a lot of female collaboration, so you’ll see a lot of really amazing artists who are women killing it, and I’m definitely going to make sure I have a show in the Philippines next year,” she said.
“Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration” will be available for streaming in the Philippines via Disney+ in January 2023.