By Olivia Nerpouni
When most people think of rising pop stars, they picture massive stages, viral videos, and chart-chasing singles. But 20-year-old Angeli Chaves is quietly building something more enduring. Honored with the title of “Tacoma’s Rising Star,” the Washington-based Filipina performer is breaking into music while showing the world what visibility and creative agency can look like for a new generation of artists spanning multiple industries.
Angeli is anticipating the release of her debut EP, coming out soon
What makes Chaves stand out in the world of music is her intention, though her voice is also worthy of attention, shaped by years of practice and influences ranging from Whitney Houston to KZ Tandingan. In a digital era that often rewards speed over substance, Chaves is taking her time, making sure each step of her career reflects who she is: a young woman with stories to tell and a believer in the power of community. Her debut EP, currently in the works with Grammy-nominated producer Luigie Gonzalez, reflects this philosophy. Described by Chaves as “cosmic and pop-forward,” the project moves beyond genre constraints to offer something personal. “Every track stands on its own,” she explains, “but together they tell a full story.” That story is about love for oneself, one’s culture, and one’s calling.
For instance, “Dream Boy” is a standout track on the upcoming EP. Recorded during a session Chaves recalls as being filled with laughter and lightness, the song captures the energy of two artists creating from the heart. Gonzalez, who is known for drawing out the emotional range of his collaborators, helped shape the sound of the project. “He brought out the best in me, vocally and emotionally,” Chaves says. The result is a textured sound that reflects Chaves’ multidimensionality as an artist and a person. For Chaves, creating art is inseparable from the act of cultural remembrance. Though she was born in the U.S., both of her parents and her older brother were raised in the Philippines. Chaves grew up in what she calls the “in-between space” of American and Filipino identity, sometimes feeling like an outsider in both. But instead of running from that world, she has embraced it. “It’s made me who I am, and I carry both parts of my identity with love and pride,” she says.
Even language barriers have not stopped her from connecting to her heritage. Chaves may not be fluent in Tagalog or Bisaya, but she has learned and performed hundreds of Filipino songs. These songs have found their way into her live performances across the country, particularly at Filipino-American cultural events. In 2024, Chaves’ commitment to representation took center stage when she was crowned Miss World America Stardust, earning the People’s Choice Award and later donating her winnings to Gawad Kalinga to support typhoon relief efforts in the Philippines. To Chaves, the crown is a platform. And now, after two years of performing and modeling at the event, she will headline Fil-Am Fashion Week in 2025, a full-circle moment that recognizes her influence as a performer and cultural ambassador. “It’s a reminder that hard work and dedication really do pay off,” she says with characteristic humility.
But even with these accomplishments piling up, Chaves remains grounded. She credits her mother as her greatest source of strength and inspiration. “Her compassion, faith, and strength guide everything I do,” Chaves shares. Other role models include Catriona Gray, whose articulate pride in her Filipino roots showed Chaves how one could lead with both elegance and purpose. Trained in multiple disciplines, including dance, modeling, and public speaking, Chaves brings a level of control to her performances that belies her age. But she is also self-aware enough to laugh at her own learning curve. “I’m still working on it, and I still get winded,” she admits. That vulnerability is what makes her relatable to her audiences.
As the music industry makes space for more diverse voices, artists like Chaves are helping expand the definition of what a pop artist can be. Her songs and presence all show us that there is beauty in the in-between, and power in bringing it to the center. With her debut EP set to release later this year, Angeli Chaves is ready to leave an indelible mark on playlists and hearts.
She is not just Tacoma’s Rising Star anymore, she is becoming everyone’s.
Follow Angeli Chaves on social media here.
About The Author
