Lani Misalucha shares memorable encounters with musical icons

Asia's Nightingale Lani Misalucha celebrates her 40th year in show business as she recalls memorable encounters with musical icons.

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At a media conference for her upcoming major concert "Still Lani" at The Theater at Solaire in Paranaque City on Aug. 21, Lani expressed her dream of collaborating with pop divas Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand.

"One time, I was rehearsing and the usherettes told me Celine Dion was watching the rehearsals. Celine, who was incognito, stood at the corner of the theater with her friends," Lani said.

Lani recalled her encounter with Gladys Knight, who is part of the popular musical group Gladys Knight and the Pips.

"In one of my shows, my group, The Society of Seven, performed 'That's What Friends Are For.' We all know that Gladys is one of the singers on that song. Medyo hindi pa namin sineryoso yung song. (We didn't perform the song seriously). After the show, my Mexican hairdresser informed me that Gladys watched the show. Then she went backstage. Wow!" she said.

Gladys became Lani's agent in the US for a while, although they never had a chance to perform together on stage.

In another show, Lani said Joseph Jackson, the father of the King of Pop Michael Jackson, came to watch her shows for several weeks.

"So he would visit me backstage. Once, he told me, I will take Michael (Jackson) here. I was excited. But weeks later, Michael passed away," she said.

Lani also said she was thrilled to share a duet with Josh Groban.