For the third time, KZ Tandingan faced millions of Chinese viewers via "Singer 2018" in its episode aired Friday, this time with an English performance that admittedly rattled the Kapamilya singer until she took the stage.

Clad in white and accompanied by her long-time guitarist, Macoy Portado, Tandingan delivered an acoustic rendition of "Say Something," popularized by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera.

As Tandingan approached the stage, her competitor and idol, UK pop star Jessie J, was shown cheering on the Filipina from the contenders' viewing room. "Go, girl!" she said.

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As with her previous performance of a Mandarin medley, Tandingan once again gave emotional weight to the song about loved ones parting ways. One audience member, apparently moved by the performance, was even seen crying.

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The soaring cover, while polished, was actually not Tandingan's first choice, she revealed in an interview with ABS-CBN News' MJ Felipe Thursday, ahead of her flight back to China to tape the eighth episode of "Singer 2018."

"Nagpalit lang sila ng kanta the night before, so medyo nagulantang ako," she said, referring to producers of the show. "Pero at least, 'yung pinalit na kanta -- sila na 'yung pumili, e -- medyo alam ko."

"Kaya lang, pinabago pa rin nila 'yung arrangement. So parang 6 a.m., nag-aareglo pa kami para lang mayroon akong makanta noong gabi," Tandingan added.

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What helped her feel more at ease, she shared, was getting to collaborate with her usual guitarist, Portado. "Mas naging komportable kasi kumbaga, may connection ba, na kahit magtinginan lang, alam na namin kung saan na kami pupunta," she said.

Tandingan is now a regular contender in "Singer 2018," where she is up against superstar performers, including the likes of her idol, UK pop star Jessie J. Whereas as a challenger, she had to average a top-4 ranking after 2 episodes, being a regular contender ensures her a slot in succeeding weeks as long as she does not place last in rankings.

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This week, Tandingan's fellow contenders, including new challenger Tengri, performed the following: Juno, "Left Behind"; Hua Chenyu, "I Don't Dare"; Angela Chang, "Dream Chaser"; Jessie J, "Never Too Much"; James Li, "Yi Sheng Suo Ai"; Wang Feng, "My F*cking Young Age"; Tengri, "Heaven."

As of writing, the week seven rankings had yet to be announced.