Charice could be 'Saigon'-bound

Its' what Charice Pempengco's main benefactor Oprah Winfrey might call an "a-ha" moment.

Is the 18-year-old Filipina singer being groomed to play lead character Kim in a movie version of the mammoth musical "Miss Saigon" - the same role that won a Larry and a Tony for Lea Salonga?

The movie incarnation of "Saigon" is reportedly in the works, to be directed by Lee Daniels, the same filmmaker behind the award-winning "Precious." Yup, the same Oscar winner that Oprah produced.

Connect the dots: Oprah solidly supports the careers of both Charice and Lee. So, would Lee consider casting Charice as Kim?

All of Charice's high-profile projects (her recurring role on the TV series "Glee"; "Here Comes the Boom," the film starring Salma Hayek; not to mention recording songs written and produced by Bruno Mars and Nick Jonas) seem to be priming her for the big time.

In any case, there's another girl (with Filipino roots) who might audition for the coveted role: "American Idol" also-ran Thia Megia.

By Asia News Network