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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Tuesday, January 18, 2005

Hawai'i idols rest up before recording ventures

 •  'American Idol' is back

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Jasmine Trias and Camile Velasco, Hawai'i's two "American Idol" favorites from last season, have been enjoying peace and quiet away from the limelight for a few months. But that doesn't mean they haven't been active. For both, recordings are in the works.

As 2005 "American Idol" audition preliminaries begin, 2004 Idols Camile Velasco, left, and Jasmine Trias say their futures looks bright.

Advertiser library photo

As Fox-TV's talent hunt launches its fourth season tonight, both Trias, 18, and Velasco, 19, are pretty happy about the progress they've made and their future in the music industry, according to their fathers.

"Jasmine's been quietly working on her CD," said Rudy Trias, the singer's dad. "In the next week or so she will go to Los Angeles to coordinate the project. She has a contract with an independent label, plus another recording deal in the Philippines, where she will return for a possible tour."

Velasco's father, James West, said Camile has relocated to L.A., though she's been home in Maui this month for some rest.

"She's signed with a record company, which hasn't made an official announcement yet, and initially, a single will be released," he said. "A CD will follow. ... She's been in the studio, with a producer who's nominated for five Grammys." While the ink has dried on her contract, West declined to name the label or producer at this time.

No timetable for releasing CDs by Trias or Velasco has been finalized, but Velasco might beat Trias to the punch.

"I think Camile's right on track, considering all that's happened in the past few months," said West. "When you appear on 'Idol,' that's a rocketship in your career — it zooms you forward."

Velasco finished ninth in "Idol's" third season. Trias finished third, behind Diana DeGarmo and winner Fantasia Barrino.

"Jasmine will probably get more endorsement deals in the Philippines," said her father. "She's very much in demand."

Velasco attracted a throng of 5,000 last month when she was in the Philippines. She also performed in a concert in Manila with former Island resident Martin Nievera.

Trias has been tapped to appear in the halftime show at this year's Pro Bowl, set for Feb. 13 at the Aloha Stadium.

Both names have been tossed about as potential halftime headliners for the Jan. 22 Hula Bowl at the Maui War Memorial Stadium but neither has signed on.

Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067 or wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.