MANILA, Philippines– AXN announced today that the Philippines-based TV personalities Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez will reunite once again on the channel as hosts of the inaugural season of the talent search series “Asia’s Got Talent,” set to launch this March.
Nelson and Fernandez will support the four previously-announced celebrity judges — David Foster, Anggun, Van Ness Wu and Melanie C. — in their search for Asia’s most jaw-dropping, mind-blowing, and breathtaking performances. Contestants who advance to the semi-finals will face an even tougher judge, as AXN audiences at home will decide who wins the first season of “Asia’s Got Talent.”
It is an honor and a privilege to host ‘Asia’s Got Talent,’ the biggest talent competition in the world, and to do so with Rovilson is a bonus. We look forward to working with the judges as well as setting the stage for the incredible contestants to shine. – Marc Nelson
Hui Keng Ang, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia said: “As competitors on the second season of ‘The Amazing Race Asia,’ Marc and Rovilson captivated viewers with their on-screen charisma. We saw them as a natural fit to host a show like ‘Asia’s Got Talent’ and are proud to have them back on AXN.”
Paul O’Hanlon, Managing Director of FremantleMedia Asia, said: “In addition to their years of experience, Marc and Rovilson bring an incredible energy that will encourage and motivate the contestants. They complement our panel of judges perfectly and we look forward to working with them in the season ahead.”
George Levendis, Head of International for Syco Entertainment, said: “Marc and Rovilson are about to take us on a fantastic ride across Asia. We welcome them both to the ‘Got Talent’ family and look forward to them bringing their warmth, wit, humour and magnetism to this unique production.”
Nelson and Fernandez burst onto the scene in 2007 on AXN’s “The Amazing Race Asia,” where the best friends held pole position for a record length of the race, from the second to the eighth episodes, ultimately reclaimed the lead during the penultimate episode. From there, they hosted “The Duke,” AXN’s original talk and lifestyle magazine show that profiled some of the most successful men in the region.
Both continued to build their respective careers. Nelson hosted ABS-CBN’s “Sports Unlimited,” and appeared with Fernandez in QTV 11’s “Dare Duo.” Fernandez, who has served as an editor of Maxim men’s magazine in the Philippines, currently hosts his weekly countdown show “Ang Pinaka” on GMA News TV.
I am humbled to play a part in this great search for talent across our region. With Marc, we will do our best to bring our amazing experience on ‘Asia’s Got Talent’ to AXN viewers. – Rovilson Fernandez
The Guinness World Record-breaking hit “Got Talent” format, which was created by Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and is co-produced by FremantleMedia, is launching its 63rd version on AXN. Billed as the biggest talent competition in the world, the show will dazzle audiences across Asia and spotlight some of the region’s most amazing performing artists competing for the coveted winning title. “Got Talent” is officially the most successful reality TV format in history and currently airs in 186 countries.
AXN is a leader of regionally-produced original content in Asia with four seasons of the International Emmy-nominated “The Amazing Race Asia,” the Asian Television Award-winning “Cash Cab Asia,” “The Apprentice Asia,” “Cyril: Rio Magic,” “Cyril’s Family Vacation: Hawaii Edition,” and the Asian Television Award-nominated “Cyril: Simply Magic.”