When two performers trust each other so deeply that they no longer need to speak in cues or over-direct one another, their work onstage becomes, well, seamless to the eye. But while many might assume it gets easier when you’re seasoned, or has found your footing in a competition like "Your Face Sounds Familiar," JM Dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano swear that it never truly does, because no matter how familiar they are with pressure, nothing about their "YFSF" journey feels predictable, with every icon presenting a new challenge.
For their fluid their transformation as "Wicked's" Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) —which earned them their second win on “Your Face Sounds Familiar”—JM and Marielle's preparation process was far from rigid. In fact, the secret to their teamwork is allowing each other to explore. They often begin their preparations separately, each one studying their assigned artist on their own, before eventually coming together to merge what they’ve built. Somehow, it always connects.
"Amazing lang po kasi hindi kami 'yung, 'Uy, dito ka ha, dito ako.' Parang hinahayaan lang din namin each other na i-explore muna 'yung artist na assigned sa kanya," said JM. Probably it's a method built on trust and on how attuned they already are to one another’s strengths. “Nagugulat na lang kami kasi alam na pala namin ‘yung part ng isa’t isa. Nakikinig pala kami.”
The show's Round 5, however, tested that dynamic in a new way, as it was JM's first gender-switch transformation, while Marielle had just returned after missing two performances due to medical reasons. With Marielle still in recovery, and with very little rehearsal time, both artists had every reason to feel unsettled. But what helped them push through was their ability to lean on each other without saying much. “Mas kumapit ako,” JM said of their partnership, adding that this experience reminded him just how much mutual respect plays into their ability to perform well together.
When asked to share something the audience wouldn’t see about their transformations on TV but they wish people knew, JM laughed, "Sana alam nila na wala kaming tulog." Kidding aside, they just want viewers to know how much work goes into each weekly transformation. "Kami lahat, 'yung mga artists, nag-aaral po kami about sa mga icons na nakukuha namin," shared JM, because behind the makeup and mimicry, "kami talagang lahat, may heart sa ginagawa po namin."
"Sana malaman nila na sobrang sineseryoso namin 'to," Marielle chimed in, "But, sobrang nag-e-enjoy kami sa buong proseso ng show na 'to talaga." And when an artist feels this enjoyment in their bones, when they perform from a place of passion, not just for applause, the spotlight also lets them see themselves more clearly.
"Impossible is not a word. It's just a reason for someone not to try," mused Marielle when asked what they realized about themselves as artists after their winning "Wicked" act. During the show's Week 1, she told herself she couldn’t do Celine Dion, and then on Week 5, she thought Ariana’s vocal height might be too much. “Pero noong sinubukan ko po... kaya ko naman pala. Kaya ko naman.”
While Marielle is learning that she’s more capable than she often gives herself credit for, JM, on the other hand, was reminded that sometimes not everything has to be overanalyzed. “Hindi mo kailangan maging seryoso masyado," he thought. "Basta kailangang mag-enjoy. And seize the moment talaga."
For the "TNT Duets" champs, being seasoned in singing competitions doesn’t automatically give them an edge because every week still feels like starting from scratch. But with each transformation, they’re just ready to have fun while still giving their best, no matter who they’re asked to become next.
Catch JMielle's next transformation on “Your Face Sounds Familiar," airing weeknights, at 7:15PM on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z and iWant. Viewers can also catch it on TV5 every Saturday, at 8:15PM, and Sundays, at 8:30 PM.
*Photos credit to Marielle Montellano and JM dela Cerna IG