Screen grab from cnnphilippines
Jessica Sanchez condemns anti-Asian hate in new song
CNN Philippines — American Idol’s Jessica Sanchez has teamed up with Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban for a new song that aims to raise awareness on anti-Asian hate crimes across the globe.
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ New Day on Thursday, Sanchez shared what urged her to come up with the song “Us,” which she hopes would promote unity amid the surge of anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’ve been wanting to make a very impactful song for quite a really long time. A lot of my songs did have a little bit of my story, but I think it would be a great opportunity to use my voice and use my platform for something more than myself,” Sanchez said.
“After we got it done, I started sending that song to some of my friends, influencers and other people with platforms to see if they want to be a part of a platform to spread awareness for the Asian community,” she shared. “We got some really good feedback and some people have shown their support through the video. It’s really exciting.”
Sanchez, who was born to a Mexican-American father and Filipina mother, said that she has also experienced racism as an Asian in the music industry.
The 25-year-old singer’s music career got a boost after finishing as runner-up in 2012 during the 11th season of the popular singing contest American Idol.
“I’m happy to know that…I was able to use my voice, my craft, speak through music to spread awareness and I think it’s important for Asian-Americans and Asians with platforms to do that – to speak for people who don’t have a voice,” she said.
“It’s crazy because I haven’t experienced it to that level (of hate crime). I experienced racial comments and stuff like that and people saying, ‘I can’t do things because I’m Asian in the music industry’, I experienced that. That’s already something,” Sanchez added. “But what’s happening now is like taking it to a whole new level so I have to say something.”
The song and the music video will debut on May 7 showing Cuban, along with Ne-Yo, Liane V, Patrick Starr, and Black Eyed Peas’ Apl.de.ap.
