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Marc and Rovilson 'judge' the judges of 'Asia's Got Talent'

Who was called the 'dream crusher'?

Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez were put through the wringer before they got the hosting gig for 'Asia's Got Talent.' (Contributed photo)

Who is the ‘dream crusher’ among the judges of ‘Asia’s Got Talent’?

Hosts Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez do their own ‘judging’

“It’s a huge honor, it’s a bit of a shock to our system to be on the biggest talent show in the world and the biggest TV show in Asia, we’re very, very flattered,” Philippine celebrities Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez admitted about landing the hosting gig of “Asia’s Got Talent.”

They spent four months touring as hosts for the AGT auditions, hopping to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and, of course, the Philippines, where they witnessed the local auditions.

The verdict? The Philippines delivered “phenomenal talent” and both were impressed by how the country is represented in the show, one of the biggest talent competitions in the world that is due to air on AXN beginning March 12.

 

The tough road to hosting AGT

But Marc and Rovilson also had to go through their own auditions, the toughest they’ve faced.

“It wasn’t handed to us on a silver platter, we really earned it,” Rovilson confessed.

“In fact this is probably the toughest audition. We’ve been spoiled and very blessed to get work consistently but this one, we went through the wringer, flew back and forth for auditions here and there,” he added.

“And so I like the fact that we earned it. We can’t say that it was given to us, we absolutely earned it.”


The best seat

Marc shared that being on what’s deemed the biggest show in Asia is an amazing opportunity and a big learning experience. “We’ve been hosting for many, many years but the things we’ve learned on this show is invaluable.”

As hosts, Marc and Rovilson also get to occupy the best seat in the house as they get to interact with both the talents and the judges.

“They are superstar judges from all across the world, everyone knows who they are, but then equally we have superstars in the making that we get to talk to before they become enormous and its great seeing that, being part of that journey,” said Marc.

The judges: Van Ness Wu, Melanie C, Anggun, David Foster
The judges: Van Ness Wu, Melanie C, Anggun, David Foster


‘Judging’ the judges

They also shared what each brings to the judging table.


MELANIE C aka SPORTY SPICE

Rovilson said that because Melanie does theater work, she knows how to appreciate the voice and dynamic of talents with a theater background.


VAN NESS WU

“He’s an absolute sweetheart,” Marc gushed of the former member of the Taiwanese boy band F4. “And I guess his TV persona and everything has always been nice.”

But he is meticulous as well, breaking down the elements of a performance.

Rovilson was equally struck by Van Ness’s humility. “For being who he is—a rock star, he speaks 6 languages, he is a producer, director, his career is still sky rocketing—and he is the most down-to-earth and the most kind-hearted judge.”

He called Van Ness a smart guy because “it takes a smart guy to prolong a career.”


DAVID FOSTER

Producer and hitmaker David Foster is straightforward and plays the “mean” judge—prompting Van Ness to call him the “Dream Crusher.”

But he is a Dream Maker as well, observed Marc.

“He will tell you exactly how you are. If you’re not meant for the world stage, he’ll tell you straight out. But if you’re good and if he tells you you’re good or if he tells you you’re great, then you know you are one of the best in the world.”


ANGGUN

“She’s an absolute sweetheart,” Marc said of Indonesian superstar Anggun. “You would think that for someone that’s such a sweet person that she’d be an easy judge, (but) she can be a stickler.”

And while she’s not afraid to express exactly what she thinks of an act she doesn’t like, she will say it in the most beautiful way possible. “Rejection from Anggun is beautiful,” Marc said.


"Asia’s Got Talent" starts on March 12 at 8.05 pm, with subsequent episodes airing Thursdays, 8:30 pm on AXN.