Angeli Chaves Steps Into the Spotlight with “Star on Earth”

For Angeli Chaves, life is about embracing confidence and connection. The 20-year-old Filipina pop artist and advocate is becoming one of the most exciting new voices in the Filipino-American artistic scene. Earlier this month, she took the main stage at Fil-Am Fashion Week, debuting her single Unserious live for the very first time. Just days later, on August 17th, she hosted a sponsors listening party at Lakewood Racquet and Sport Club, giving supporters and collaborators a one-of-a-kind preview of her upcoming debut EP, “Star on Earth.” 

To Chaves, the listening party was a chance to thank the community who has been with her through every rehearsal, studio session, and stage appearance. “I am so blessed to have been supported by such a generous community of leaders and businesses,” she expressed, emphasizing her gratitude to each and every sponsor who made the night possible. 

While Fil-Am Fashion Week has always been part of Chaves’ journey, this year marked an especially special moment, as she was trusted with headlining the main show. Walking out in front of the crowd to sing Unserious live carried a mix of nerves and excitement. “Debuting a song live is always a little nerve-wracking,” she admitted. “But I reminded myself that nerves mean I care.”

Balancing school, family responsibilities, and a long-distance relationship also added another layer of challenge. In the end, Chaves learned to trust the process and let go of the idea of perfection. “At the end of the day, it was about being bold, being present, and having fun in the moment,” she said. And the performance truly lit a fire inside her. “It gave me the spark to keep raising the bar, and now I want to carry that fire into every event this season,” she explained.

Recording music in the studio and performing live are entirely different worlds, and Chaves is very aware of that contrast. “On stage, you only have one chance to deliver, and everything has to feel alive in that moment,” she said. Her current focus is strengthening her stamina and stage presence, making sure that each show feels memorable from the first note to the last. “I’ve been working on my breath control, movement, and overall endurance so I can give the same energy from the first note to the very last,” she shared. Her desire to make every person in the room feel like she is singing directly to them has become a force in her artistry.

Chaves’ debut EP, “Star on Earth,” represents her most “vulnerable and intentional” work yet. Among its standout tracks is Luxurious, which she is currently filming a music video for. Chaves envisions glowing visuals with gold tones and textures that are elegant and symbolize confidence from within.

This Fall, Chaves’ schedule will be filled with big showcases and smaller gatherings. “What I love about my schedule is that it’s a mix,” she said. “Both types of shows challenge me in different ways, and that’s what makes me grow.” And by 2026, Chaves dreams of going on her first tour, even if it starts small or regional. But her ambitions extend beyond music; as a nursing student, she also plans to continue balancing her education with her career. “I’ve always believed that music and nursing go hand in hand – both are about healing and connection, just in different forms,” she expressed. “One uplifts the soul, and the other cares for the body and spirit.” It is a lot to juggle, but Chaves is determined to follow both callings wholeheartedly. 

The Lakewood Racquet and Sport Club listening party highlighted the rich community of sponsors, creatives, and supporters behind Chaves. Below is her full list of acknowledgments, which she emphasized were central to making the evening possible.

Gold Sponsors

• Margie Pratt of UnitedHealth Group (Optum Care)
• M2J Studio
• Miss World America, along with her daughter Jasmine Mai Pratt of M2J Studio
• Norman and Mari Austria of Nbrothers Bakeshop
• Mary Ann SqLizama of Cucina De Mary
• Sheen Di of Pretty Party Please
• Lendale and Renmel Tiong of Blendful
• Dr. Mila Sprouse, President of PNA Emerald City Chapter, releasing her new book From Tomatoes to The Boardroom soon
• Dr. Johnrich Randall Levine, CEO of RICH Training Resorts

Silver Sponsors

• Priyanka Chopra of Priyanka Signature Couture
• Santiago Miguel and Alejandro Vazquez of Santiago Alejandro

Bronze Sponsors

• Mary Charmaine Godino-Francisco and Paolo Francisco of Charm & Paolo
• Francis Franco of Franco Financial Strategies
• Tess Guerzon of Better Properties
• Nel Long of VP PNA
• Anthony Ogilvie, Pete Semon, and Betty Zaloudek-Moore of Port of Seattle
• Tony Ketchum, Mayor of Chehalis
• Maria Theresa Ramos
• Addison DeBoer of FACWA
• Dr. Kerbie Barrantes of LAVIE Skinthetics Wellness Spa
• Joseph De Vera of PNA
• Attorney Claire Kintanar of Harbor Defense
• Fernan Lopez of PNA
• Dr. Glenn Pacio of Orchard Medical Clinic
• Ekta Saini, National Director of Miss World America
• Anna Valley
• May Deza Dominguez of MDP Realty
• Colors N Bloom
• The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce
• Jean De Vera
• Dovi Gomez Napora, Founder of Dovi Seattle
• Dr. Phoung Nguyen of Emerson Dental
• Anna Lyra Venaglia of Venaglia Payee Incorporated.

Chaves also credited a dedicated team of creatives, staff, and volunteers for making the listening party and ongoing projects a success. This includes Winston Cabiles (DJ), Perry Cucinotta (Photographer), MJ Gonzales (Photographer), Asaph Gaspi (Videographer), Kevin Quimosing (Videographer), Tristan Ramirez, Lorna Galvin, Thomas Galvin, Roxann Subiel (Volunteers), Hong Vo (Drinks), and Elenita Nigro (Dessert). 

A special note of gratitude went to Perry Cucinotta, who has been Chaves’ photographer for the entire release cycle, and to Jewels Fashion Next, who provided her dress for the night. Jewels Fashion Next has also featured her on the cover of Kantana Magazine for her Top Model Showcase 2024 win and secured her a Times Square billboard appearance in New York City.

The upcoming Luxurious video is another example of collaboration at its finest, guided by Director Ricardo Moreno. Chaves also extends thanks to the production crew & volunteers: Sheen Di, Melanie Esclamado, Rubyeve Jumamil, Gigi Lynn, Melissa Hensley, Elenita Nigro, Margie Pratt, Sheila Spykc Ai-Dai, and Medy Santos. Further support came from choreographer Khayla Grace Maglipon, with dancers Mckenzie Proctor, Michelle Delvaux, and D’Annalyn Faith Washington included as well. Extras in the video were Jasmine Mai Pratt, Makayla Jumamil Daniels, Kiara Landon, Catalina Van Halder, and others. Finally, Chaves thanks her technical team: Pete Richmire (Audio Playback), Mike Zessin (Production Assistant), and Matt Frasier (Technical Coordinator). 

Above all, Chaves credits her family as her foundation. Her father, Jimbo Chaves, works as a Landside Supervisor at the Port of Seattle; her mother, Tata Chaves, is a nurse at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Rehab Hospital; and her brother, Kirk Chaves, works as a journalist and broadcaster in Alaska.

With a new EP on the way, a community of sponsors behind her, and music guiding her forward, Angeli Chaves is stepping into her own new world. Her August 17th sponsors listening party reflected who she really is: an artist full of gratitude and passion who is ready to connect with audiences on every stage she performs on. Chaves’ believes that each performance should feel like a shared experience. True to the title of her debut, she is proving herself to be a rising Star on Earth.