If there is anyone that Julie Anne San Jose feels most grateful to aside from her parents, the young Kapuso singer, without a second thought, names her grandmother whose idea started it all for her. “She persuaded me to join. And I wouldn’t be here right now if not for her support,” Julie said.

At a recent sit-down interview with the press, Julie recalled her humble beginnings as a Kapuso, starting from her stint as contestant of Eat Bulaga’s Little Miss Philippines in 1998.

In a clip that resurfaced online, the bubbly, four-year-old Julie was singing Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” for the talent segment, much to the amusement of everybody in the audience.

Julie then appeared at another reality talent competition on TV, PopStar Kids, hosted by RnB singer Kyla. It premiered on 19 November 2005 but only lasted for two years. However, the five kids from season one — Rita Iringan (now Rita Daniella), Pocholo Besmonte, Vanessa Rangadhol, Renzo Almorio and Julie — formed a singing group called SugarPop.

Julie stayed as a Kapuso after joining SugarPop. She sang various soundtracks for teleseryes like Dyesebel’s “Aking Mundo” and “Siya Na Nga Kaya.”

In 2008, San Jose made her acting debut on the afternoon soap Gaano Kadalas and Minsan? playing a supporting character to Camille Prats and Marvin Agustin.

LOUIE Ignacio (left) will direct Julie’s upcoming concert with Danny Tan on musical arrangements.

In 2012, she landed lead roles for Together Forever, Kahit Nasaan Ka Man (2013), Buena Familia (2015), Pepito Manaloto (2018), Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa (2017) and My Guitar Princess (2018).

She released album after album, which also broke records in physical and online sales. She was awarded the Diamond Record from the Philippine Association of the Record Industry for her eponymous album Julie Anne San Jose which sold more than 150,000 units.

Her second album, Deeper, earned a Triple Platinum Award for reaching sales of more than 45,000 units.

Now, she is gearing up for her first major solo concert at The Theater at Solaire happening on 20 July at 8 p.m. Following the success of the “The Sweetheart and the Balladeer: Fun Night Only” in Cebu and Cagayan De Oro, Julie shared she is now ready to give the audience a world-class concert experience like no other.

“There are so many singers nowadays whose dream is to do a concert with an orchestra.

And almost half of the upcoming concert Julie sings with the UP Concert Chorus with the arrangement of Maestro Danny Tan. Let’s also anticipate her three guests, Arnel Pineda, Maricris Garcia and The Clash’s Melbelline Caluag,” director Louie Ignacio said.

Singing a repertoire that she hasn’t done before, Julie breathes new life to the timeless classics of music legends Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey.

“I am looking forward to this concert because it’s going to be different and, of course, it’s very personal to me. I’m going to perform with an orchestra, which I’ve never done before in my past concerts, and I’ve always wanted to do something like that. The songs and performances here will have a new approach to them and I think the audience will very much enjoy what we’ve prepared. I’m very excited,” Julie said.

“The songs will have different flavors, like Whitney Houston’s ‘I Have Nothing’ which you’ll hear in a different sound because of the orchestra and concert chorus. Sixteen people plus four backups, so that would 20 people singing with Julie. Musically you will really be full,” musical director Danny Tan said.

Julie concluded, “I want to make my own mark in the music industry. I want to be known as Julie, not as someone else who just copies someone else’s style. I want to be known as myself. Because if you’re in the industry, authenticity is important not only for artists or musicians. It applies to everybody. Something unique about myself is me just being me.

“Julie Sings the Divas” is presented by Sunny Side Up Productions and GMA Network in cooperation with Solaire Resort and Casino. For tickets, visit http://ticketworld.com.ph or call 891-9999.