Camile Velasco is one of the most popular and richest Singer who was born on September 1, 1985 in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines. Velasco left Motown Records in 2006 but continued performing around the US. She made a rare East Coast visit to New York in January and announced at a press conference that she would join the Filipino band Aegis for a US tour. Velasco appeared on American Idol as well as the Idol Tonight segment throughout the year. She performed in Hawaii almost every month, and she was enthusiastic about it. Velasco released “Da Da Da Da”, a song in the making, on her MySpace page. It received a positive response from fans. She also participated in filming The Black Eyed Peas “Bebot” video. Velasco also performed in September at a birthday party for her and her manager. She was a featured artist at the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture, San Pedro, California. She was also interviewed by LA TV. In Maui, Velasco was also a fellow Idol alumnus Jasmine Trias. She performed in Las Vegas with IBU before briefly returning to the Philippines for a concert at apl.de.ap.
In the first week of February 2007, Velasco had the honor of opening for her idol, Lauryn Hill, at the Bob Marley Fest in Kapolei, HI.
Her single “Guava Jelly” was produced by Stephen Marley and released onto iTunes in October 14, 2008. It received the Hawaii Music Awards’ Single of the Year in April 2009. It was to be her first single off her debut album titled Koy, which was originally scheduled to be released in 2009 but has yet to be released. Her next single “Super Star” was released in Japan in 2010.
After signing with Universal/Motown Records, Velasco headlined many gigs in 2005. She performed at the Pro Bowl Concert, Hawaii; and the Yeah Baby! Expo in Anaheim, a two-day concert in Oahu for the 50th State Fair; and in Phoenix where she sang the National Anthem. Velasco was also a guest on American Idol as well as at the Gen Ex LA Fashion Week. Her first single, “Hangin’ On,” became a hit, particularly in the Filipino-American music industry. Many headlining concerts followed, including Fil-Am Unity Jam (A Night with Camile Velasco), 3-Style Attractions and Jam Sessions in California and a concert with Gary Valenciano in Chicago. Velasco was featured on TFC’s World Musikahan live with Ryan Cayabyab. This aired in October. She also received her first cover on the Arizona Republic’s Yes magazine in 2005.
Velasco was removed from American Idol in April 2004. She, Jasmine Trias (a Filipino-American) and Diana DeGarmo had received the fewest votes during Elton John Week. Velasco appeared to anticipate her departure. Velasco remained composed as her name was called, but she began to weep during her dedication video. The remaining finalists wrapped Velasco in a hug as the show came to an end.
Velasco took an extended break from performing in June 2007 after the Fiesta Filipinas in Oxnard, California, to further concentrate on songwriting and finishing her debut album.
