KZ Tandingan

Life and career

Early life

KZ Tandingan started singing as a child but had to stop when she was in her junior year in high school after suffering from a throat problem. She is an alumna of University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City and had graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in biology.

Before she joined The X Factor Philippines, Tandingan was part of a local acoustic band.

2012: ''The X Factor Philippines''

Tandingan was considered an early favorite after she performed a jazzy version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in the fourth week of the Judges' auditions. After receiving a standing ovation from all the judges, she was requested to sing again. Tandingan obliged and sang "Ready or Not" by American hip-hop group, The Fugees. With her second song, she also showed her rapping skills. Tandingan was greatly praised by all of the judges. Nievera even shouted, "A star is born in Digos!". The video of Tandingan's audition went viral online after it was uploaded in YouTube. The video reached nearly 1 million views before it was removed due to copyright issues. During the Bootcamp stage, she sang "Mahirap Magmahal ng Syota ng Iba" by the APO Hiking Society and cried after she made the cut for the Top 20. Tandingan sang "Killing Me Softly with His Song" by Roberta Flack during the Judges' home visit. On week 9, she landed on the bottom 2 for the first time with teammate Allen Sta. Maria, but she survived elimination. Tandingan was Charice's last remaining act after Allen Sta. Maria was eliminated on week 9. She reached the grand finals on October 7, 2012, and was proclaimed the winner of The X Factor Philippines.

;Performances and results

2012–present: post ''The X Factor''

On January 7, 2013, Tandingan entered the Himig Handog contest with the song entry called "Scared To Death", written by Domingo Rosco Jr. The song was accompanied with a music video that was assigned as a project to be directed by University of Santo Tomas and premiered on February 2 in Myx Philippines. She performed the song in the grand finals on February 24, 2013, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Overall, the song finished in 4th place and was the third runner-up for Best P-pop Love Song thus rewarding the writer of Tandingan's song one hundred thousand pesos in cash. On April 21, 2013, she toured across North America as a supporting act for pop band Side A. On May 2, 2013, Tandingan released her self-titled debut album. The album was produced by Jonathan Manalo and consists of mainly original songs with some covers. On June 27, 2013, she officially launched the album on Makati City.

On January 11, 2014, Tandingan won ₱1,000,000 in The Singing Bee where she accumulated 4 straight songs correctly. In the show, she did not make a single error in the first 2 rounds and eventually won a tie-breaker against co-contestants Frenchie Dy and Sitti, who also did not commit any errors throughout the game. The following year, she was announced as one of the eight contestants for the second season of Your Face Sounds Familiar along with Myrtle Sarrosa, Sam Concepcion, Cacai Bautista, Kean Cipriano, Denise Laurel, Michael Pangilinan and Eric Nicolas. The show ran from September 12, 2015, to December 13, 2015. and she was the 3rd runner-up. Tandingan was then announced as one of the celebrity mentors in We Love OPM in 2016, being the mentor of Team O Diva. The show ran from May 14, 2016, to July 17, 2016. She is currently seen in ASAP, as one of the ASAP Soul Sessions with Jason Dy, Daryl Ong, Jay R and Kyla. The Soul Sessions formed on May 15, 2016, and disbanded in late 2017.

''Singer 2018''

On February 9, 2018, Tandingan competed as a weekly challenger on China's Singer 2018 wherein she placed first on her debut round on week five. She sang her own rendition of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep". She remained as a contestant on the show until her elimination on week nine.

On February 16, 2018, Tandingan sang the Mandopop song in her own rendition, "The Hurts You Never Knew" (Chinese: 你不知道的痛), a combination of three pieces of songs "What Else Do You Want From Me"(Chinese:你還要我怎樣) by Joker Xue, "All The Things You Never Knew" (Chinese:你不知道的事) by Wang Leehom and "Still Aching" (Chinese:還隱隱作痛) by Power Station. She was allowed to remain in the competition for ranking third in the top four, per the competition rules for a challenger.

On March 16, 2018, Tandingan sang "Royals" where she was the third person to perform. That week was a double elimination (after one contestant was too ill to perform and was given bye that week), and per the competition rules the two singers receiving the lowest count of overall votes would be eliminated. She finished last on the overall votes, which resulted in her elimination of Singer 2018 (another contestant, James Li, was also eliminated for finishing 7th on the overall count after a challenger of the week successfully placed in the top four).

Tandingan's stint on the show showcased her artistry in different music genres. Her eventual elimination created a flurry of criticism from social media commentators and Chinese fans she had gained. On Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter, KZ Tandingan became the second-most talked-about topic after her elimination.

Eliminated singers, except singers who withdrew and singers in the first round, returned for the breakout episode (aired April 6, 2018) for a chance to re-enter Singer 2018 and qualify for the grand finals. Tandingan performed a Tagalog/Mandarin rendition of Anak and finished 7th, and was unable to advance to the finals. Despite her elimination, she later returned as a guest singer (along with former winner Coco Lee) for a performance from Jessie J (who was the series winner) in the grand finals aired April 13, 2018.

DIVAS

On April 27, 2016, KZ was announced to be part of the DIVAS Live in Manila concert along with Kyla, Yeng Constantino, and Angeline Quinto (Rachelle Ann Go was originally planned to be part of the lineup, but backed out due to international commitments). The singers staged their first team-up concert titled DIVAS Live in Manila on November 11, 2016, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

On December 15, 2018, Tandingan, along with Constantino, Kyla and Quinto staged another concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with Boyz II Men titled Boyz II Men with DIVAS.

From July–August 2023, Kyla, Yeng and KZ toured in the United States and Canada following the Cornerstone All Star Concert, with Jason Dy as their special guest for the tour, titled Vocal Champs.

Concerts and tours

2016

On April 27, 2016, it was announced that a girl group named DIVAS, composed of Tandingan, Yeng Constantino, Kyla, Rachelle Ann Go and Angeline Quinto would debut with their first concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum titled DIVAS: Live in Manila on November 11, 2016. However, Go left the group due to scheduling problems.

2018

KZ held her first major solo concert Supreme: KZ Tandingan at Mall of Asia Arena on June 22, 2018. She shared the stage with some of the biggest artists in Philippines, including fellow ASAP Soul Sessionists Kyla, Jason Dy and Daryl Ong, her biggest rap influence Gloc-9, Malaya hitmaker Moira Dela Torre, singer Iñigo Pascual, and rapper Shanti Dope. Shen then embarked on her first world tour, the "Supreme: World Tour".

On October 31, 2018, KZ returned to the MOA Arena Stage, this time performing alongside Chinese singers Fish Leong, A-Lin, Faye at the PDMN "To Youth Nice To Meet You" Phil-Chi Star Concert.

On December 15, DIVAS returned to the Araneta Coliseum, staging a collaboration concert with the international R&B vocal trio Boyz II Men.

Personal life

Tandingan married musician TJ Monterde on August 28, 2020.

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Filmography

Television

Films

;Notes

1. The table above only includes Tandingan's significant appearances, therefore guest appearances are not included.

Concerts

Special appearances

Awards

References

References

1. Karen Valeza. (October 8, 2012). "KZ wins 'The X Factor Philippines'". [[Yahoo News#Yahoo Celebrity.
2. (October 7, 2012). "KZ Tandingan wins 'X Factor PH'". [[ABS-CBN News]].
3. "PHOTOS: Magandang Buhay with Asia's Soul Supreme KZ Tandingan {{!}} ABS-CBN Entertainment".
4. (July 2023). "KZ Tandingan Drops New Soulful Track, 'Dito Ka Lang'".
5. "KZ Tandingan grateful to sing first Filipino Disney song".
6. "KZ Tandingan moves beyond music".
7. Manhit, Ann. "KZ Tandingan flexes mom's achievement".
8. "KZ Tandingan bags top spot in this week's "Singer 2018" {{!}} ABS-CBN Entertainment".
9. "KZ Tandingan eliminated from Singer 2018".
10. (2021-10-27). "KZ Tandingan is 'fit for global stardom,' drops first international single".
11. (2017-11-30). "KZ Tandingan and Iñigo Pascual 'Say Hello' to Collab Single by Zion Aquino: Listen".
12. Domingo, Danielle. (2021-10-22). "It's Time for KZ Tandingan to Shine in "11:59"".
13. Wazzup.PH. (2023-02-27). "Bamboo, KZ, Martin Mentor Young Singers in "The Voice Kids" Premiere This Weekend".
14. (February 14, 2024). "Bamboo, KZ, and Martin ready to find the next Gen Z champ of "The Voice Teens"".
15. Baby A. Gil. (July 5, 2013). "Will KZ Tandingan make it to stardom?". [[The Philippine Star]].
16. (July 16, 2012). "'A star is born' in Digos on 'X Factor ' week 3". [[ABS-CBN News and Public Affairs.
17. Fabian, Chris. (July 24, 2012). "KZ enters 'X Factor' Top 20". [[Mindanao Times]].
18. (July 23, 2012). "KZ Tandingan in 'X Factor' Top 20; Osang out". [[ABS-CBN News and Public Affairs.
19. Allan Policarpio. (February 25, 2013). "Director-composer wins Himig Handog". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
20. Feliz Borja. ""Anong Nangyari Sa Ating Dalawa" Is HIMIG HANDOG's Best P-Pop Love Song!". [[Myx]].
21. "Side A 2013". Fat Media TV.
22. (May 2, 2013). "KZ Tandingan Debut Album Snippets". Star Records.
23. "KZ holds successful album launch". [[ABS-CBN News]].
24. Rito P. Asilo. (June 14, 2013). "Debut album shows off KZ Tandingan's 'X Factor'". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
25. (June 5, 2013). "KZ Tandingan gustong makapagbago ng buhay sa kanyang mga kanta". [[The Philippine Star]].
26. (August 13, 2017). "Kyla, Jason, Daryl, Jay-R, KZ sing Bieber hits on 'ASAP'".
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28. (February 19, 2018). "'Kaya pala nag-iyakan': What KZ's Mandarin song means".
29. (April 30, 2016). ""DIVAS: Live in Manila" is set on November 2016". Chismis.net.
30. (September 7, 2018). "Boyz II Men fulfills promise to return to Manila". [[The Philippine Star]].
31. (July 6, 2023). "Yeng Constantino, Kyla, Jason Dy perform on 'Showtime,' gear up for shows abroad". ABS-CBN News.
32. (July 8, 2018). "'Asia's Soul Supreme' showcases versatility".
33. (October 9, 2020). "IN PHOTOS: KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde's wedding".
34. (June 12, 2017). "BillboardPH Hot 100". BillboardPH.
35. (August 21, 2017). "BillboardPH Hot 100 – August 21". [[Billboard Philippines]].
36. (August 14, 2017). "Week of August 14, 2017". Billboard Philippines.
37. Pasajol, Anne. (December 20, 2022). "Martin Nievera, KZ Tandingan join 'The Voice Kids PH' as new coaches". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
38. "Will KZ Tandingan's boyfriend TJ Monterde perform at her digital concert?".
39. (March 26, 2019). "Electrifying and Emotional: KZ Tandingan Makes History with 'Supreme' Concert in Dubai".
40. (2018-06-13). "Here's what to expect during KZ Tandingan's biggest concert yet".
41. (March 23, 2023). "Live in Concert at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain on April 23, 2023. Tickets on Sale @ Ticketmaster.com. – The Filipino American Post".
42. Salterio, Leah C.. (2023-03-24). "Bamboo embarks on North America concert tour with KZ".
43. "Manila X Festival 2017".
44. Llanera, Nino. (2022-06-27). "KZ Tandingan, Bamboo, EZ Mil, and More Headed to 1MX London".
45. Totel V. de Jesus. (November 19, 2012). "25th Aliw Awards bare 2012 finalists". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
46. Jude Cartalaba. (November 27, 2012). "Leo Valdez, Eugene Domingo win at 25th Aliw Awards". Rappler.
47. (June 3, 2013). "Finalists in 26th Awit Awards revealed". [[ABS-CBN News]].
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49. (December 13, 2014). "Gloc 9 nabs top honors at 2014 Awit Awards".
50. Blanco, Eunice. "Gloc9, Yeng, Sarah, Parokya ni Edgar win big at MYX Music Awards 2014". [[The Philippine Star]].
51. (December 9, 2015). "WINNERS: 28th Awit Awards".
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55. (November 29, 2017). "Darren Espanto, Inigo Pascual win big at 30th Awit Awards". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
56. Santiago, Ervin. (January 20, 2017). "Morisette 'Hakot Queen' sa 2nd Wish 107.5 Music Awards; Jason Dy, Darren big winner din".
57. Ortega, Karlos. (December 19, 2017). "Wish 107.5 announces Wish Music Awards 2018; List of nominees out now".
58. Ortega, Karlos. (January 15, 2018). "The list of winners from Wish 107.5 Music Awards".
59. (August 29, 2020). "FULL LIST: Winners, Awit Awards 2020". [[Rappler]].