Cover She is fondly called Jessica Joy Seria Reynoso in her hometown, but the singer prefers J Rey Soul on stage (Photo: J Rey Soul)
She is fondly called Jessica Joy Seria Reynoso in her hometown, but the singer prefers J Rey Soul on stage (Photo: J Rey Soul)
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Twenty-five-year-old singing sensation J Rey Soul tells us her journey on how she made it to become the lead singer of the international pop group, Black Eyed Peas
She has the charm, talent and determination needed to complete the recipe for stardom. Born in Hong Kong, J Rey Soul was adopted and raised by Filipino parents in the province of Laguna. At the tender age of nine, she joined a local singing show where she realised she wanted to sing and make music forever. The rest, as they say, is history.
She is fondly called Jessica Joy Seria Reynoso in her hometown, but the singer prefers J Rey Soul on stage. “I’ve always had J Rey in the back of my head for a very long time, but I never committed to it until that one-time American rapper Will.I.am asked me what my last name was,” she recalls. “I said ‘Reynoso,’ and he said ‘Rey no so, sounds like Rey no Soul [but] you have this amazing voice and so much soul, I think you should take out the no and just make it Rey Soul’ then there’s J Rey Soul”.
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Born to a family bonded by music, it was no surprise for J Rey Soul to tread the familiar path. She discloses that her family found her singing Whitney Houston’s classic The Greatest Love of All at two years old. “They were in shock, and that’s when they realised I had a gift.
Above PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 25: Apl.de.ap, Will.I.am, Jessica Reynoso aka J. Rey Soul and Taboo, singers of The Black-Eyed Peas perform on stage during the Global Citizen Live, Paris on September 25, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 25: Apl.de.ap, Will.I.am, Jessica Reynoso aka J. Rey Soul and Taboo, singers of The Black-Eyed Peas perform on stage during the Global Citizen Live, Paris on September 25, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
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My family is musically inclined. My aunt in Hong Kong was a singer too. On the other hand, my mum always plays a lot of Mariah Carey and Barbara Streisand in the house. They have always nurtured and supported my dreams,” she says.
In 2006, J Rey Soul was on the stage of Pop Star Kids, a reality TV show for aspiring young singers. “I was on TV, and in that way, I felt I was able to give back to my family a bit; I made them very proud,” she says. Finally, in 2013, the artist joined The Voice Philippines, where she met her mentor Apl de Ap. Although she did not win, J Rey Soul says that her stint at the show opened many opportunities for her. “It’s true what they say, when one door closes, God opens another with bigger and greater things,” she says.
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Above BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 17: J. Rey Soul attends UNFORGETTABLE: The 20th Annual Asian American Awards Presented by Character Media at The Beverly Hilton on December 17, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 17: J. Rey Soul attends UNFORGETTABLE: The 20th Annual Asian American Awards Presented by Character Media at The Beverly Hilton on December 17, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
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It was in 2014 when Jey Rey Soul signed under Apl de ap’s label, BMBX. The singer says that she would never refuse such an offer, mainly because the latter is someone she looks up to. “He is an artist, producer and philanthropist; he is also part of the Grammy-award-winning group Black Eyed Peas. Who could say no to that?” she says.
The artist also shares that she feels a deep connection with Apl de ap as they are both black, Filipino and adopted as kids. “We were both put in the right place at the right time.”
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In 2018, J Rey Soul officially joined the Black Eyed Peas. Today, she takes every lesson she can from touring the world with the band. “I am blessed to be of service and to be able to create with such legends,” she says. “They’re like my big brothers! We have fun, and I can talk to them about anything. They also taught me a lot about the importance of work ethic.”
Above BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 17: (L-R) J. Rey Soul and Apl.de.Ap attend UNFORGETTABLE: The 20th Annual Asian American Awards Presented by Character Media at The Beverly Hilton on December 17, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 17: (L-R) J. Rey Soul and Apl.de.Ap attend UNFORGETTABLE: The 20th Annual Asian American Awards Presented by Character Media at The Beverly Hilton on December 17, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
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J Rey Soul, the band’s first female vocal artist since its hiatus in 2011, shares that comparison and critiques from the group’s loyal fans are inevitable, but she refuses to cave in and keeps her head in the game. “It’s important for me to showcase my voice and style. I worked hard in doing things that felt authentic to me,” she says.
When asked what she feels grateful for as an artist, J Rey Soul says that sharing her talent with the world is a gift. Currently, the singer is working on solo music, which she plans to release in the upcoming months.
“I am excited! We also have a world tour this summer and a few singles coming out with the Black Eyed Peas,” she says. “Exciting days ahead for me!”.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
