MANILA, Philippines?Teenage singing sensation Charice Pempengco has caused an Internet uproar after having cosmetic surgery to improve her looks ahead of her debut on top US television show ?Glee.?
The 18-year-old, known simply by her first name, had botox injections and minor surgery in Manila over the weekend to narrow her rounded face, with the procedure filmed and broadcast afterward on ABS-CBN network.
?It?s one of the big preparations we are making for ?Glee? and of course I also want to look fresh on cam,? Charice said in a TV interview as she defended her decision to have cosmetic surgery at such a young age.
Fans, however, flooded the star?s official website, www.charicemania.com, as the issue became a hot Internet topic, with many lamenting the fact that she felt pressure to alter her face.
Feeling inadequate
?At a very early age, she was made to feel inadequate and was told time and time again that, although she had a killer voice, she did not possess the looks to make it as a ?star,? a fan using the name Marie wrote on Charice?s website.
?I can?t even begin to imagine what that did to this child?s self-esteem,? the fan stressed.
On another fan site, www.charicemusic.com, there was more concern for Charice.
?I hope she doesn?t change or undergo any more treatment and change herself ... she?s just fine as it is ... listen to yourself and not be affected by other opinions,? a user called Mirana wrote on that site.
Charice?s procedure was a top 10 global topic on the social networking site Twitter at one point this week.
Botox by Belo
Her plastic surgeon, celebrity doctor Vicki Belo, said the procedure was meant to sculpt Charice?s naturally rounded face.
Belo said the botulinum toxin injections, which immobilize some muscles, would not have any effect on Charice?s voice.
The diminutive Filipino first gained global renown through the video-sharing website YouTube and has since become a favorite of US TV talk show queen Oprah Winfrey.
Choir star?s rival
?Glee? is a comedy series that follows an optimistic high school teacher as he works with a group of outcasts to revive the fortunes of the school?s performance art club.
The Golden Globe-winning production premiered in September 2009 and attracted a season-high of 13.6 million viewers three months ago.
Charice starts shooting for Glee?s Season 2 on July 28 in Los Angeles and will reportedly appear in 10 episodes.
She will play an exchange student, a newcomer on campus whose vocal chops would pit her against the choir?s star, Rachel Berry (played by Lea Michele). With reports from Agence France-Presse and Pocholo Concepcion, Inquirer Entertainment
