Rachelle Ann’s new Obsession

There’s a new Rachelle Ann Go in our midst today. She may not be called sultry (yet), but she’s pushing the borders of sensuality bit by bit. Rachelle wore a backless gown that showed off more skin than she usually does while she held hands with boyfriend Christian Bautista in a recent awards night.

The singing champion then bares a thigh for publicity photos for her new studio album with Viva Records, Obsession. The photo is also her official pose for promoting her flurry of shows this month, starting with You and Me, a Valentine concert with Christian tomorrow night at 8 at Aliw Theater.

Why the new Rachelle?

The singer shrugs her shoulders, as if saying, nothing much, she just wants to project a more mature image. After all, three years in showbiz and the prospect of turning 21 in August do call for a more adult look. And Christian, knowing that his girlfriend’s prim and proper image remains, doesn’t mind.

The ASAP co-hosts’ romance is cruising along just fine. Christian has promised he will learn how to cook kare-kare, Rachelle’s favorite dish, to please her. He has also offered his services free, should Rachelle push through with plans to build her dream house somewhere in a Quezon City lot she wants to buy. Christian, if you recall, tucked up a degree in landscape architecture before showbiz beckoned.

The sweethearts just arrived from Doha, Qatar, where they literally played beautiful music for the Filipino community there. The minute they came back, Christian and Rachelle buckled down to rehearsals for the just-concluded Lovapalooza, where they were guest performers.

Working together is turning out to be more of a boon than a bane for the sweethearts.

"We don’t need to talk too much about how we will deliver spiels, how we will arrange the blocking, the choice of songs, etc.," explains Rachelle. They can read each other’s body language, and that alone suffices when they’re on stage.

But even singing champions can’t have it all. Rachelle wishes she can whip up a dance storm without huffing and puffing the way Vina Morales does in her shows. That’s why Rachelle is taking a cue from Vina by going to the gym for strength training as much as she can.

"I’m a perfectionist," admits Rachelle. This she shows by opting to take up voice lessons under Kitchie Molina. Rachelle also threw away a couple of songs she herself wrote because she thought they weren’t good enough.

She is harsh on herself as an artist. That’s why Obsession as the title of her album is just right for Rachelle.

Hollywood’s Christian de Walden, who produces Obsession, notes, "Rachelle Ann is terrific to work with in the studio. She is energetic and has a great work ethic. She doesn’t stop until she feels she has given it all."

The music connoisseur, who works with leading pop stars in Spain, Italy, Mexico and the US, further gushes, "In the year that I have been working with Rachelle Ann, she has improved tremendously."

A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into Obsession, gathering as it did, 13 new originals from songwriters in Europe, the US and the Philippines. The international flavor has yielded a hodgepodge of Latin and Euro-influenced dance tracks and a variety of ballads recorded in Manila, Los Angeles and Milan.

That’s not all. Rachelle and Christian will pack their bags again – no, not to elope — but to embark on another tour, this time in the US. It will take the couple to Delano, California on April 8, San Diego on April 13, San Jose on April 14 and Los Angeles on April 15.

Before that, Rachelle will promote Obsession at SM Clark on Feb. 18, SM Lipa on Feb. 24, SM Dasmariñas on Feb. 25, SM Molino on March 3, SM Batangas on March 4, SM Lucena on March 10 and SM Baguio on March 17.

Whew! At this rate, Rachelle can buy that property she’s been eyeing in Quezon City and build her dreamhouse sooner than soon.

And, if she gets luckier, she might just see herself on stage with her idols, Lea Salonga, Lani Misalucha and Sharon Cuneta. An album with Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera will also send her in seventh heaven.

Now, will a kind genie pop up from a magic lamp and grant Rachelle her fondest wishes? You’ll never know.