Tweets from the AI presscon
JESSICA SANCHEZ AND JOSHUA Ledet give the RAPPLER camera a 'peace' sign. All photos by Manuel Generoso
MANILA, Philippines - On Sept. 18, 5:54 am, American Idol season 11 Top 10 finalists Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledet, DeAndre Brackensick, Elise Testone, Erika Van Pelt, Hee Jun Han, Skylar Laine, Colton Dixon and Hollie Cavanagh arrived in Manila at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
PHILLIP PHILLIPS IN A playful mood
According to RAPPLER's Laszlo Lim, his mom was on the same flight to Manila and, when airport personnel realized that the Idols were among those who arrived in the trip from Los Angeles, airport operations went on a brief "standstill" as employee-fans tried to have their photos taken with their Idols.
CUTE HOLLIE CAVANAGH ADMITS she's a "shoe girl"
Filipino-Mexican Jessica Sanchez was able to give ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda a brief interview at the airport before their group proceeded to The Manila Hotel, their official residence.
ERIKA VAN PELT ADMITS she's had the most hairstyle and color change among the group
At 1 pm, the Idols had a meet-and-greet with their fans, organized by ETC, 2nd Avenue and Jack TV, in the Pandanggo function room, one-third of the massive Fiesta Pavilion in the same hotel.
As this was happening, members of the press were asked to wait in the Polkabal function room — right beside Pandanggo — for the official press conference.
JESSICA SANCHEZ WAS BEGINNING to feel jet-lagged but carried on like a pro
Check out our tweets during the wait and the presscon:
The afternoon with the Idols didn't end after the presscon. Read my account of the more intimate roundtable interviews we did with 9 of the Top 10 finalists (DeAndre Brackensick was not feeling well and was excused from the interviews), along with exclusive videos.
On Sept. 20, Thursday, at 5 pm, the Idols will be having mini-shows and will be signing copies of their American Idol Highlights albums under MCA Music in the following venues:
1) Alabang Town Center - Jessica, Elise, DeAndre, Heejun and Erika
2) Venice Piazza McKinley Hill - Phillip, Colton, Joshua, Skylar and Hollie
They will be performing to a sold-out concert on Sept. 21, Friday, 8 pm, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. It will be the last show of their 3-month concert tour.
- Rappler.com
