Another Filipino-American has made it to the top 12 contestants on American Idol. A resident of Miramar, Florida, 20-year-old Ramiele Malubay auditioned in Miami with Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." Standing at only 4'11", the petite belter took judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell by surprise with a voice that more than makes up for her height. This got Malubay a golden ticket to Hollywood, where she consistently gave top performances. Thus it was that on the final day of elimination before the competition proper, Abdul told her, "Your first audition really surprised us... It was a disconnect hearing a voice come out of this little, teeny body, but it was the most beautiful big voice and I'm really happy to say, all of us are, that you made it." 

During her audition

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Malubay's musical influences are reflected in her singing style. These include Aretha Franklin, Jackson 5, Mariah Carey, Lani Misalucha, and Regine Velasquez. Though she certainly has the talent to get her far into the competition, she says that if she doesn't make it on American Idol, she will still continue singing and will go to school to study nursing. Aside from music, her goals in life include becoming a better daughter and sister, finishing school, having a better romantic relationship, and simply continuing to be happy. 

Malubay need not worry about showing America just how good she is. From her performances so far, she has gotten nothing but good feedback from the judges. In the first round which was 60's-themed, she gave a very classy version of Dusty Springfield's "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me," and incited the usually caustic Cowell to say, "Throughout the Hollywood rounds, I thought you were probably the most consistently good singer, and again tonight you outsung every single person." She breezed through the following rounds as well, singing "Don't Leave Me This Way" during 70's week and "Against All Odds" in 80's week. And in last week's elimination, she made it through to the top 12, where Abdul said Malubay deserved to be. It won't be any wonder that one with such talent will go far. She might even be the next American Idol.