The genealogy of JM Dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano's music careers can be comparable to a love story between two voices destined to intertwine.
Both started as 'Tawag ng Tanghalan' contenders on "It's Showtime," coming from different seasons and carving out their individual paths before they formed a tandem for the competition's first ‘Duets’ edition. Of course, the Sidlak Bisdak duo won, and they've been inseparable and unstoppable since, perpetually in the business of taking home championship titles.
Just last Sunday, April 12, JMielle added another title to their collection—as the "Your Face Sounds Familiar" Season 4 Grand Champion, sealing it with a jaw-dropping "And I Am Telling You" performance, channeling power belters Jennifer Holliday (JM) and Jessica Sanchez (Marielle).
ABS-CBN Studios caught up with JMielle fresh off their win, and the pair was every bit as elated as you'd expect. Marielle, wearing that sweet smile of hers, gushed a gleeful "sobrang saya!" while JM, the more animated between the two, could only think of the word "sabog" when asked to describe the feeling.
The best accolades, after all, are the ones you never saw coming. From the maiden round to the finale, JMielle consistently gave everything they had, but never once walked into the 'iconator' with the expectation of winning. However, real talent would inevitably surface and attract recognition.
JM and Marielle debuted on "Your Face Sounds Familiar" with a stirring rendition of "The Prayer" as they transformed into Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion, making them the season's very first weekly winners.
Despite a mid-season setback when Marielle got sick for two consecutive rounds (3 and 4), leaving JM to carry the tasks solo, first as Ogie Alcasid, then as Kenny Rogers, the duo bounced back on Round 5 with what would become a major highlight of their entire run—their "Wicked" spectacle where JM transformed into Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Marielle into Glinda (Ariana Grande). It was their second win and no doubt their most favorite act of the season.
In total, JMielle claimed three trophies across the regular rounds, the third of which was the Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj number, which they slayed despite it being miles outside their comfort zone.
WATCH: JMielle earns applause for a remarkable Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj performance | YFSF 2025
With their accumulated scores from weekly rounds carried into the final tally, JMielle had every reason to believe the crown was within their reach. Yet, they arrived at the Grand Showdown with no expectation. “In-enjoy lang po namin ‘yung ginawa namin kanina,” Marielle shared, knowing well enough that the talent in that studio wasn’t just hers and JM’s alone, “Ang dami namin tapos ang gagaling pa ng mga kasama namin.”
Not that the lack of expectations meant a lack of preparation. The road to the Grand Showdown was, as JM would put it, "hindi biro," largely because their chosen icons' growling style is completely outside their natural vocal range. Nevertheless, they took the risk with full conviction, keeping themselves motivated by mentors Klarisse De Guzman and Nyoy Volante's pointer to showcase the heart more than the technique.
“Sinabi ni Sir Nyo na, kasi nakita na nila before sa mga performances namin na vocally we’re competent, so ang gusto nilang makita for the Grand Showdown ay ’yung sincerity namin as performers, na sincere kaming gusto namin gayahin talaga ’yung mga icons,” Marielle said.
As difficult as it was, the process also had a fun side to it and came with amazing discoveries along the way. JM, for one, was surprised that he could actually growl—quite the revelation for a crooner whose natural habitat is the romantic ballad. Meanwhile, Marielle found her connection with Jessica in their roots, "Pinay kami parehas." Add to that, she realized they're both the all-or-nothing kind of performer, "Siguro 'yung 'pag tumapak na sa stage, ‘yun na 'yun, wala nang atrasan. Gano'n ang nafe-feel ko kay Jessica."
As the season's grand champions, JMielle took home the P1 million cash prize, through with no particular plans yet on where it's going. "Sabi ni Ate Peachy (Rufa Mae Quinto), i-divide na namin one by one, tig-P100k daw. So kahit daw 'di namin galingan," Marielle said laughing. "Pero ano po, wala pa naman din akong naiisip. Pero of course, we will pay forward."
Their "YFSF" journey is yet another proof that JM and Marielle are limitless together, and if their track record is any indication, this won't be the last victory they take home as one.
Congratulations, JMielle!