Jed Madela prefers not to engage in a showdown with Stell of SB19, but instead, he would like to have a collaboration project with the P-pop idol.
During the media conference for his 47th birthday concert Welcome to My World at Tipsy Pig in Quezon City, the WCOPA grand champion suggested that a collaboration with Stell would be ideal to avoid any potential fan conflicts.
“He’s amazing. He’s incredibly talented. His vocal range is outstanding. I remember myself in him 20 years ago. It’s great to see more opportunities opening up for artists like Stell,” he told the press answering a question about whether he’d be willing to work with SB19’s lead vocalist.
“Before, being a balladeer meant sounding like Martin Nievera or Gary Valenciano, right? But now, there’s a lot more diversity in the sound of balladeers. I enjoyed his performance at the David Foster concert—it was fantastic. I also saw him in Erik Santos’ concert in the US, too. That momentum will continue because he’s truly exceptional. As long as you stay true to your core, that success will keep coming,” said the Kapamilya singer.
Jed explained their recent comparison, “Let’s focus on collaboration instead of competing. It’s quite amusing how we tend to pit artists against each other…like who’s better, who has the higher voice, who’s more handsome, who’s slimmer.”
“But it just leads to unnecessary conflicts, right? So, if we collaborate on something beautiful that everyone can enjoy—Stell’s fans, my fans—it would be much more enjoyable. Rather than saying ‘Jed is better in this part’ or ‘Stell is better in that part,’ which could create negativity among fans, I just want everyone to be happy and peaceful. Let’s enjoy this journey together… because at the end of the day, all the criticism and conflict won’t lead anywhere. It just hurts people. So, collaborating would be a wonderful idea,” he further explained.
Jed is known for his moniker, The Voice. Since 2003, he has released eleven albums, including nine studio albums, a holiday album, and a compilation album. He holds the distinction of being the first Filipino inducted into the Performing Arts Hall of Fame in Hollywood.
When asked about the song that started it all for him, Jed chose “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” by Five for Fighting for its profound meaning. “I chose that song to introduce myself as someone with a powerful voice, yet also human. I arranged it to make it a big, big song, and it became like my theme song,” Jed explained.
Recently, Jed renewed his contract with Star Magic, marking fourteen years since he joined in 2010.
“I’m still with Star Magic, and I spoke with Direk Lauren. I asked him, ‘Direk Lauren [Dyogi], what else do you see in me that I can do?’ I’m open to whatever projects Direk Lauren thinks are suitable for me,” Jed remarked.
Talking about the theme’s concert, Jed explained: “Welcome to My World will tell the story of my past 20 years, what I’m going through now, and my plans for the near future. This concert is extra special because if I was hands-on with my past concerts, for this concert, I’m even feet on.”
International audiences will also have the opportunity to witness Jed’s performances this year, including shows on July 12 at Sheraton Laguardia East Hotel Flushing, New York, and July 27 at Sheraton Laguardia East Hotel, Ovation Hollywood. He will return to his hometown on Sept. 21 at the Iloilo Convention Center.
