You may not immediately recognize the name Charice Pempengco, but once you hear her story—and especially her voice—it’s hard to forget her. This young singer from the Philippines caught the world’s attention at just fourteen years old, when a video of her performing was uploaded to YouTube and quickly went viral. Her talent was impossible to ignore, and it didn’t take long before some of the biggest names in the music industry took notice.
One of her most vocal supporters was none other than Oprah Winfrey, who called Charice the most talented girl in the world. Coming from someone who has witnessed and interviewed some of the greatest performers of our time, that kind of praise carried enormous weight. And Oprah wasn’t the only one captivated by the young singer’s abilities.
Legendary composer and producer David Foster also recognized something extraordinary in Charice. He took her under his wing, mentoring her and giving her the kind of guidance and platform that only a seasoned industry veteran could provide. Their collaboration led to numerous live performances, but one in particular stood out among the rest.
During a live concert, David Foster himself accompanied Charice on piano as she performed the incredibly demanding song “All By Myself.” The performance was nothing short of breathtaking. As she hit the high notes with power and control well beyond her years, the audience was visibly stunned. Foster, sitting just feet away, looked equally amazed by what he was witnessing.
What made the moment so remarkable wasn’t just Charice’s technical skill—it was the emotion and soul she poured into the song. For someone so young to command that kind of presence and vocal maturity was rare, and it marked her as someone destined for greatness.