CHANGSHA, July 4 (Xinhua) -- American singer Chantimo came to China for the first time in May this year to participate in the recording of a variety show. After only a few weeks, she found herself well known in China.
In gyms, restaurants and on the streets of Changsha, Hunan Province, Chantimo is often recognized by fans and asked for a group photo. "I've rarely been treated like this in the United States." She said. The 57-year-old Shantimo made a name for himself in the American music scene in his early years with his dolphin voice and rhythmic blues-style singing.
On June 28, Chantimo performed on the stage of "Singer 2024". Xinhua News Agency (Photo courtesy of Hunan Satellite TV)
The 23-year-old Moroccan-Canadian singer Vanhia had a similar experience. "When I first arrived in China [in May], everyone was very calm when they saw me. Now I get recognized every time I go to the mall, even when I cover myself tightly with my sunglasses and hood. Vanhia said.
Chantimo and Van Xia are participating in the music competition variety show "Singer 2024" produced by Hunan Radio, Film and Television Group in Changsha. As the starting lineup of the show, they compete on the same stage with Chinese singers such as Na Ying and Wang Sulong every Friday night, and accept the votes of the on-site public hearing and the cloud public hearing.
"Singer 2024" also invited American singer Adam Lambert and Kazakh singer Lucia to serve as the "Ranking Singer" and "Ranking Singer" for one of the weeks respectively. Due to the strong strength of international singers, this season's "Singer" is called the "Changsha Grammy" by Chinese netizens.
On June 7, Fan Xiya was interviewed by Xinhua News Agency reporters in Changsha, Hunan. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Lin Jianjie
For most Chinese audiences, Chantimo and Van Chia are new faces, but that doesn't stop them from winning the public's affection and votes. In the last eight episodes of the show, the two North American singers have won a total of five weekly titles, and Fanxia, the youngest singer on the show, has never even dropped out of the top three.
In an interview with Xinhua News Agency, both Chantimo and Van Xia were amazed by the enthusiasm of the Chinese audience and their tolerance of foreign singers and songs in foreign languages.
"I never imagined that I would be able to reach so many listeners at once, and that I would be in another country. It was like I was starting a new phase in my career. ”
The "post-00s" Van Xiya uses translation software to read the comments of Chinese viewers on social media. "They're all so funny!" "The Chinese audience is very kind and loving, and they make me feel welcome here," she said. ”
On May 25, American singer Adam Lambert performed on the stage of "Singer 2024". Xinhua News Agency (Photo courtesy of Hunan Satellite TV)
Hong Xiao, the producer of "Singer 2024", praised the foreign singers for their first-class singing strength and sincerity to the Chinese audience this season: "Their performance is amazing, exceeding the expectations of the program team and the audience." ”
Hong Xiao said that when Chantimo and Van Xia first arrived in China, they were not familiar to Chinese audiences. "Maybe because of this, they are less nervous and anxious, and we can feel that they still reveal a sense of relaxation even when they are full of fire on stage, and they want to communicate with the Chinese audience."
This is not the first time that "Singer" has made foreign singers feel the enthusiasm of Chinese audiences. In 2018, British pop singer Jessie J won the championship of the finals of "Singer", becoming the first foreign "singer" in the history of the show. "I've never felt so welcome and loved like I did here." She once told the British media.
On June 28, Kazakh singer Lucia performed on the stage of "Singer 2024". Xinhua News Agency (Photo courtesy of Hunan Satellite TV)
After the reform and opening up, many international artists, including Celine Dion and Sophie Marceau, have appeared on the Chinese stage and are well known and loved by the Chinese. Nowadays, the extensive participation of international artists is becoming the new normal for Chinese variety shows. Another variety show "Riding the Wind 2024" that is being broadcast brings together artists from France, the United States, Russia, Vietnam, and Thailand, while the upcoming "Overcoming Thorns 4" has artists from Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and other countries participating.
In between recordings, many international artists also took a break to visit China, experience Chinese culture, and share their views of China with the world on social media.
"Everyone I met was friendly." Chantimo said she received encouragement from Jessie J before coming to China, and now she is recommending other American artists to come to China for shows.
"Come to China!" "It's going to be a really wonderful experience," she said. ”
On June 7, Chantimo was interviewed by Xinhua News Agency reporters in Changsha, Hunan. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Lin Jianjie
Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Management, said that more and more Chinese local variety shows invite foreigners to participate, which not only improves the internationalization of the program itself, but also provides an additional platform for cultural exchanges between Chinese and foreign people, which is a very good trend. Inviting overseas guests to China to participate in the show allows them to gain the love of Chinese fans and learn about the real China.
Hong Xiao revealed that the follow-up program of "Singer 2024" also plans to invite more foreign singers to join. He looks forward to creating an international music stage, allowing the audience to appreciate the style of outstanding singers from all over the world, feel the charm of different music cultures, and promote the exchange and integration of Chinese music and world music.
In the latest issue of "Singer 2024", Fansia sang a Chinese song for the first time, and her pure Chinese pronunciation amazed the audience. Shantimo added a guzheng accompaniment to her English singing.
"The support I received was so incredible, and everyone I met was so loving, I just wanted to thank them with this song and tell them that I really appreciate everyone and really love Chinese culture." Fanhia said.
(Reporter Yao Yuan, Zhang Yujie, Ju Yinhe, Lin Jianjie, Dai Bin)