BWW EXCLUSIVE: Charice Talks GLEE, New Album, Movie, Lea Michele, WICKED, Lea Salonga, Broadway & More

Yesterday, international singing sensation and fresh-faced new GLEE cast member Charice - proclaimed by Oprah herself to be "the most talented girl in the world" - was kind enough to take some time out while rehearsing her new song for an upcoming Season Two episode of GLEE as Sunshine Corazon to talk to me about all things GLEE - Showrunner/Creator Ryan Murphy, her audition, singing with Lea Michele, what duets she wants to do, "All By Myself", "Telephone", "Listen", etc. - as well as working with writer/producer Bruno Mars on her new single "Before It Explodes", continuing a theme begun with Mars's own "Grenade" - as well as singing Mars songs for a number of tracks on her forthcoming album. Additionally, we discuss her musical influences, her favorite songs to sing in concert, what inspires her, her favorite films of the year and her deep desire to star in a horror film someday soon - plus, comments on everyone from Barbra Streisand, Lea Michele and Idina Menzel to Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Jay-Z and Justin Bieber. Also: news on her feature film debut, HERE COMES THE BOOM, co-starring Kevin James, Salma Hayek and Henry Winkler - and much, much more!

Before She Explodes

PC: I am so impressed with your first single "Before It Explodes" - it must be so exciting to be doing the Bruno Mars written/produced follow-up to "Grenade" and "Forget You".

C: I am so, so excited. I am such a big fan. I love him so much. (Laughs.) Are you kidding?

PC: Tell me about recording that song because I know he originally was going to record it himself and some other people recorded it, but yours is the one being released!

C: (Laughs.) Yeah... that's so funny you mentioned it! I've seen a lot of articles about that. That's what I know about it, too: the other people didn't release the song on their album, so, obviously, the song is out now and it's going to be on my album!

PC: How amazing is that?

C: So amazing.

PC: Did you get to work with Bruno in the studio on the song?

C: You know, I really didn't get a chance to work with him - I haven't met him yet; Bruno Mars! It's so amazing that he wrote the song, he produced the song and then I recorded it - and, it's amazing to me that we recorded this really great song without meeting each other!

PC: And you've recorded another original song of his, as well: "Saved By A Love Song"?

C: Oh, well, I actually recorded that song, like, months ago, with Sean - Sean Garrett - producing, and it's really a great song, too. But, actually - maybe this May - I am going to release more songs.

PC: What ones are you most excited about?

C: Well, there's this song called "Louder" - it's more pop/dance; because I really wanna dance! (Laughs.) So, that's why I love that song so much and it's gonna come out this May and it will be a part of my album, as well.

PC: Who is "Louder" by?

C: These really great songwriters, Danny & Liev - that's their name. I really love the song - I'm really digging it.

PC: So, you want to record a more dance-themed album next?

C: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, I'm lovin' it! This is what I want and I love to dance. But, I really feel love for "Before It Explodes" - it's not really a dance one, though! (Laughs.)

PC: Not quite!

C: (Laughs.) I really love the song and I love the meaning of it.

PC: Given that title, I have to assume it's related to "Grenade", right?!

C: (Laughs.) I feel like that, too! I know! It's kind of like that, I think.

PC: What is the song about?

C: The song is about these two people: they have to stop the madness before it explodes. It's amazing because, you know, "Grenade" is about your love for a person that is not even paying attention to you! (Laughs.) You have to stop the madness before it explodes - in "Before It Explodes - and then it explodes in "Grenade"!

PC: So, it's the prequel!

C: Yes! (Laughs.)

PC: It's a credit to Bruno's songs that you can strip them down acoustically - as well as with Lady Gaga. Have you done either Bruno song live yet?

C: Oh, my God! I mean, I just can't wait to perform "Before It Explodes" live - I wanna do an acoustic version, too. It's so amazing - I just can't wait.

PC: I know you've sung "Just The Way You Are" in concert.

C: Yes, and I also did "Grenade". You know, I just love all Bruno Mars songs. I love "Marry You", too.

PC: They also did that on GLEE recently.

C: I love listening to that, but I haven't sung that yet!

PC: What about Bruno and Cee-lo‘s "Forget You"? Would you sing it like Gwyneth Paltrow  did on GLEE?

C: Well, I mean, if they are gonna give me the chance to - yeah! (Laughs.)

PC: Do you think that's a cool song - the whole 50s vibe?

C: Oh, yeah! I would like to do as many genres as possible on GLEE.

PC: What about doing some hip-hop/rap? I know you covered Alicia Keys's "No One" in ALVIN IN THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL.

C: (Big Laugh.)

PC: Or a chorus, like "Empire State of Mind".

C: (Raps). "Now I'm doin' TriBeCa, right next to De Niro..."

PC: No way - Charice can rap!

C: (Laughs.) I love "Empire State". I actually did a big Japan tour and I rapped - I did the Jay-Z part, too!

PC: What do you think of Jay-Z?

C: I love Jay-Z. I mean, I totally love rap music, too.

PC: Who else do you really like from the rap world?

C: I love Eminem, Jay-Z, Little Wayne, Drake - all of them.

PC: I'd love to hear you do Eminem/Rihanna "Love The Way You Lie".

C: (Sings.) "Gonna stand there and watch me burn!"

PC: What do you think of Rihanna?

C: I love Rihanna - definitely. I've loved her since her first hit songs - you know, "Umbrella", "Take A Bow"; I love those songs.

PC: What did you think of the GLEE mash-up of "Umbrella" and "Singin' In the Rain"?

C: Oh! I think it was amazing. I love it. I love it. But, it's actually really funny to me that they recorded a Justin Bieber song.

PC: They did a couple - "Somebody To Love" was the best, I thought.

C: Right! It was pretty cool.

PC: Speaking of GLEE, you return to GLEE this week! What was it like recording "Listen" earlier this year - filling Beyonce's big shoes and doing DREAMGIRLS, to boot?

C: It was nerve-wracking because, first of all, the song is one of the hardest songs ever!

PC: It's very tricky.

C: When I was recording it I was really nervous - but, at the same time, I was really excited, because I have been singing that song for years now. I love "Listen". So, when they gave me the song, I got really excited - but, nervous, at the same - because, I was like, "Are they gonna like it? Oh, my God!" So, I just recorded it and it turned out really great - but, it was nerve-wracking, definitely.

PC: Henry Krieger of course wrote that in addition to your big concert song - "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going". Do you ever sing them in succession, right after each other?

C: (Laughs.) Exactly. I'm not sure if I've done them together.

PC: Do you like arranging the set-list and playing around with the songs at your concerts?

C: Yes. Actually, I love doing arranging. You know, I do little medleys.

PC: What medleys have you been doing recently?

C: Well, when I did my Japan tour I did a Michael Jackson medley.

PC: What did you sing?

C: Since I love to dance, my inspiration is Michael Jackson - so, it was really cool. The first part of the medley was Michael Jackson talking. Then, after that, the spotlight went on and I was posing like Michael Jackson. Then, (Sings.) "Billie Jean is not my lover," and then I sang "Billie Jean". Then, in the middle of the song, it stopped and went to - (Sings.) "The way you make me feel!"

PC: It's uncanny how much like him you sound.

C: (Sings.) "Hey, pretty baby, with the high heels on..."

PC: Do people ask you to imitate him all the time? Have you recorded your imitation for commercials or anything?

C: (Laughs.) Well... (Pause.) not yet!

PC: Not yet!

C: But, when I'm alone in my apartment, I open my Garage Band and just, you know, record these weird imitations of celebrities - Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Michael Jackson; everybody! (Laughs.)

PC: What are your favorite Garage Band songs to sing?

C: (Pause.) Actually, I like... everything! Like, anything! I mean, I heard this Chris Brown song and I was like, "Ohhh! I wanna cover this song!" But, I never posted it online or anywhere - it's just for me. It's just like, "I need to record this for myself" - like, (Laughs. Sings.) "On my own, pretending he's beside me!"

PC: I just heard your cover of "Born This Way" on YouTube. It's fabulous - but quite a bit different from the original.

C: Oh, yes! Actually, I recorded that on my Garage Band, too! (Laughs.)

PC: That's hilarious.

C: Yeah, but I do love that song. When they told me about Perez Hilton's birthday I was thinking about that song and I said, "How about ‘Born This Way' because, you know, you were born this way!"

PC: Do you think the message of that song is relevant and important - about including every race, gender, sexuality?

C: Yes. I think that song is for everybody. The song is, you know, "Be who you are." I love the song because that's the song for the other people. It's addressed to the judgmental people - it's like, they don't know you but they say these negative things. It's like, (Sings.) "In yo' face, this is the song fo' you!"

PC: What do you think of the controversial new Gaga song that was just released on Friday - "Judas"?

C: Oh! Oh, my God. I mean, I know the title's really controversial, but I love the song. You know Lady Gaga - she makes music like that. I mean, "Bad Romance"? If you've seen that video it's like that, too - it's kind of scary! (Laughs.)

PC: Scary in a good way, though.

C: Yeah. I love Lady Gaga. I love the song. She's a talented person and she's a great songwriter, so I love everything she does.

PC: Lea Michele and Idina Menzel's cover of her "Poker Face" on GLEE was so awesome - as was your duet with Lea Michele on "Telephone".

C: Thank you! Lea and Idina were amazing - oh, my God, that was amazing.

PC: What duets can we look forward to featuring you on GLEE? Kristin Chenoweth and Gwyneth Paltrow are both coming back in the coming weeks!

C: Well, I actually have no idea what's going to happen next with my character. But, I am really excited - and it makes me even more excited not knowing what's going to happen! Like, I really have no idea! I am just waiting for them to tell me. It's been so much fun doing this stuff with them. (Pause.) I hope I can do a duet with either of them.

PC: What duets do you want to do with Lea Michele next?

C: Well, since we did a Lady Gaga/Beyonce song already - a dance song - I think if they are going to ask me to have a song with her again, I think I would really love for us to sing "Tell Him" - the Barbra Streisand/Celine Dion song.

PC: What a great choice!

C: I think we know Lea as Broadway and Barbra; that's her, you know? Everybody knows her as that. So, it's really, really perfect for us.

PC: And you're the new Celine.

C: No, no! There will never be another Celine.

PC: She has major competition starting tomorrow night thanks to your "All By Myself".

C: Well, thank you, that's very flattering, but...

PC: You hit the big note unlike even Celine or Mariah...

C: Thank you very, very much.

PC: How many takes did it take to get that?

C: Actually, just like with "Listen" - when they made me record it four or five times and that's it - it's the same with "All By Myself". I recorded it four or five times and then they put it together.

PC: What do you say to critics - like those in ROLLING STONE - who say GLEE uses too much Autotune? Do they use it on you?

C: (Laughs.) I don't know if they use Autotune on me, but it doesn't really matter - I just love singing. If they do anything to the song - if they put Autotune on it - that's totally fine; it's part of the music now.

PC: Whether we like it or not. That's the way it is!

C: Yeah. If you listen to any of the Top 40 songs - yeah, Autotune is definitely part of it now!

PC: And Broadway singers have a more pop sound, even.

C: Yeah. They do.

PC: Speaking of Broadway babies, tell me about working with Cheyenne Jackson.

C: Cheyenne! Oh, my God. I mean, yeah, we had scenes together in the first episode. He's a very nice guy and I love him. He's very comfortable to work with and I am looking forward to being with him again. I mean, when we shot the episode for tomorrow, I didn't really get to work with him too much that day, but I am really looking forward to seeing him again soon.

PC: Have you filmed anything with Jonathan Groff yet? It's confirmed he is returning this season. Has it been filmed?

C: Well, I haven't had any scenes with him yet, but I am looking forward to it. His character's name is so funny - Jesse St. James. (Laughs.)

PC: What GLEE songs do you listen to on your own?

C: (Pause.) OK. Hmm... there are so many!

PC: "Gold Digger" by Matt Morrison is one of my favorites.

C: Actually, before I got a role for GLEE, we had a tribute to GLEE in the Philippines and I sang "Gold Digger"!

PC: You sang Kanye West & Jamie Foxx?!

C: Yeah! I did that, (Sings.) "She gives me money, when I'm in need!"

PC: That's so good.

C: I actually rap, too! (Laughs.)

PC: You do it all - clearly.

C: (Laughs.)

PC: I have to ask you about one of the most popular participants in this column and a big fan of yours - Lea Salonga.

C: Oh, my God! I love her!

PC: She even wants to play your mom on GLEE.

C: Aww, that's so sweet! We just talked a few days ago, actually, on Twitter - that‘s so funny you mentioned her! Of course, I'm a fan. And, actually, we worked together before - we sang together in the Philippines.

PC: So, you'd love to work with her on GLEE?

C: When I heard about that rumor of her being my mom, I just thought, "That's just the best idea  ever!" You know? (Laughs.) I mean, she's just amazing.

PC: Would you love to do "A Whole New World" with her?

C: Aww, I think that's sweet! (Pause.) I think, actually, what would also be perfect for us is "Part Of Your World" - (Sings.) "Look at this stuff / Isn't it neat? / Wouldn't it make my collection complete?" I love that.

PC: I actually interviewed the composer of both those songs for this column; Alan Menken - what's your favorite Disney movie?

C: Oh, yeah, I love him - I love LITTLE MERMAID. I love those all-time famous Disney movies like BEAUTY & THE BEAST and ALADDIN. But, my favorite Disney movie just came out recently - maybe two years ago - WALL-E.

PC: With all the HELLO, DOLLY songs!

C: (Laughs.) I can actually imitate him, (Robot Voice.) "Waaaaal-E".

PC: Have you always been able to imitate people and sounds?

C: It just happened like, maybe, three or four years ago when I was watching this one video and I was trying to imitate it. Then, I couldn't believe it - I was like, (Gasps.) "I sound like that person!" (Laughs.) So, it all started with that. And, then, I started to imitate Chipmunks and, now, Justin Bieber and everybody.

PC: You did OPRAH with him before he was really world-famous like he is now. What was he like back then?

C: Oh, he was just a very nice person. It was just, you know, "Hi. I'm Justin Bieber." (Laughs.) It was really amazing. When I was with him I just felt really proud, you know - it's crazy all that has happened to him.

PC: And Oprah brought you to the attention of David Foster.

C: Yeah, yeah - Oprah did.

PC: And David Foster is such a legend - Barbra Streisand's "Somewhere".

C: He's really, really amazing. You know, sometimes people think or say he's a scary guy or whatever - and, of course he is; he's David Foster! He's not gonna make you feel like he's a sixteen-time-Grammy-Award-winner, though, you know?

PC: Not imposing.

C: No. He just makes you feel like... like you want to be normal. He just keeps it simple and he's a very nice guy.

PC: Have you played your version of "All By Myself" for him? His production for Celine Dion is the most famous since the original; maybe ever. I'd love to know his opinion of it.

C: Yes, I think he did hear it, but I haven't heard his comments! (Laughs.)

PC: What do you think he will say?

C: I think for sure that he'd be like, "Hey, little one, you did great on GLEE."

PC: He has to be impressed since you've taken on such difficult songs!

C: (Laughs.) Yes, yes.

PC: What about taking on Judy Garland with your duet with David Archuleta on "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"?

C: Well, the thing is, it's like Bruno Mars - we didn't record together. Of course, we met. (Laughs.) But, it's amazing - I love that song. It's my favorite Christmas song.

PC: Have you seen MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS?

C: No, I haven't, but I should because I love watching old movies and old musicals.

PC: What have you seen that you really liked on Broadway?

C: I have to say that I was really shocked when I saw they did a musical of THE WEDDING SINGER - that's my favorite movie! I love WICKED, too. I think DREAMGIRLS is my favorite musical, though.

PC: What's your favorite movie musical?

C: DREAMGIRLS! I love DREAMGIRLS.

PC: What are the Top 3 Most Played on your iPod right now?

C: Number 3, "Grenade"!

PC: No way! We were just talking about that!

C: Wait for Number 2 - "Forget You"! (Laughs.)

PC: Another Bruno Mars song!

C: (Sings.) "I see you drive ‘round town with a..." (Laughs.)

PC: And Number 1?

C: Number 1 is "I Need A Doctor".

PC: The new Dr. Dre and Eminem!

C: Yeah! I love it.

PC: Your Number 1 should be "Before It Explodes".

C: Well, actually, it goes: 3, 2, 1 and then "Before It Explodes" at the top! (Laughs.)

PC: 3,2,1 - not "1,2,3" by Britney Spears!

C: (Big Laugh.) No, not that one. But, I do really like "Hold It Against Me".

PC: You would kill Britney's new song "Till The World Ends".

C: Yes! (Sings.) "Oh oh oh-oh oh-oh oh, oh oh oh-oh oh-oh oh!"

PC: What songwriters and performers would you like to collaborate with in the future?

C: I would love to work with Beyonce or Lady Gaga.

PC: You should do a trio all together!

C: That's what I'm sayin'! (Laughs.) That'd be amazing!

PC: Or you and Lea could both do it and make it a quartet!

C: (Big Laugh.) Definitely! We gotta!

PC: I hope they can find a way for you to duet with Idina Menzel, too.

C: Yeah! Yeah. Of course, I've seen her in WICKED - that would be so big! I mean, I am looking forward to it if it happens.

PC: What is your favorite movie of last year?

C: Oh, last year? THE SOCIAL NETWORK. I loved that.

PC: Did you see BLACK SWAN, too?

C: Oh, my God! I love BLACK SWAN - eek!

PC: Was it scary?

C: Yeah! Yeah. I love it! I really love horror movies, too.

PC: Did you see SCREAM 4 yet?

C: I haven't seen it, but I really want to see it.

PC: Define collaboration.

C: Well, for me, collaboration - I mean, every time I collaborate with somebody it's important to have a connection. If the song's gonna work you have to connect with each other - I think that's really important, you know? And, although I love Bruno Mars, I haven't met him - but there is still that connection [in the song].

PC: In the music.

C: Yeah. And, that's the meaning of collaboration to me.

PC: And, you didn't even need to meet to make the magic happen!

C: Thank you so much - I love the song so much.

PC: What's next?

C: You mean today? Well, I'm gonna go home and eat some fried chicken. (Laughs.) Seriously, though, I am still filming a movie with Kevin James and Salma Hayek and Henry Winkler.

PC: Kevin James and Salma Hayek sounds like fun.

C: Yeah, it's called HERE COMES THE BOOM. It's actually an action/comedy movie. I totally love the movie because it's about Kevin James, who plays this high school biology teacher who sidelines as a fighter in mixed martial arts.

PC: What a funny premise.

C: Yeah, it's really funny, but, at the same time, it's inspirational because he's trying to raise money to save the school's music program.

PC: So, it has a similar message to GLEE.

C: Yeah, it does! It's an amazing movie. My character's name is Malia and I am his student.

PC: Is that still filming? Do you know when it comes out?

C: Yeah, we're still not yet finished. But, I think it's going to come out next year.

PC: What roles do you want to play in the future? MISS SAIGON seems destined to be.

C: Wow - oh, my God - that seems kind of big! I don't know if I could do that - you know, all this acting stuff is kind of new to me. I'd love to do that, though. But, at the same time, I'd love to do a horror movie.

PC: Do you like the really disgusting ones like HUMAN CENTIPEDE?

C: Yes! I love them.

PC: So, are you on the entire rest of the season of GLEE?

C: Well, [like I said] I have no idea how many more episodes I am going to do. That's why it's so exciting for me, because they just tell me and then I get so excited. So, just watch out for it!

PC: So, you're on this week for sure - what about the super-sized episode next week?

C: I'm not sure. I don't do "Born This Way" - they all do that one. Actually, tomorrow I am going to record a song for another episode - but, of course, I can't say what's going to happen next.

PC: What song are you singing?

C: Well, it's kind of a... I can't say! It's... different. (Pause.) Let's wait a few weeks! (Laughs.)

PC: Well, I hope a Lea Salonga duet is in the near future!

C: Me, too! Me, too!

PC: What's next?

C: Well, my song "Before I Explode" just dropped and it's out now - on Amazon and iTunes. And, of course, GLEE. And, the movie next year.

PC: That's enough!

C: That's enough!

PC: Thank you so much. This was beyond amazing. All my best to you and the GLEE cast.

C: Aww, yeah! Thank you very, very much, Pat. Bye!