MANILA  -- J. Rey Soul stands as a testament to the power of dreams and perseverance. As the female voice of the  Black Eyed Peas, her journey from Laguna to global stardom is nothing short of inspirational.

Born Jessica Reynoso, her life took a dramatic turn when she joined "The Voice of the Philippines," where she not only showcased her exceptional vocal talent but also met her mentor Apl.de.ap, or Allan Pineda Lindo in real life, when she joined his team. 

"I chose Apl because my gut feeling was telling me. I think God whispered in my ear and was just like, you have to go with this guy," she said.

Little did she know, this choice would open doors to a future she had always dreamt of.

Even after her stint on "The Voice," Apl so believed in Reynoso's potential that he introduced her to his best friends and bandmates, Will.I.Am and Taboo. This introduction marked the beginning of her journey with the Black Eyed Peas.

"He told me, 'I believe in you and I think you have the potential to make it internationally.' So, I flew to LA, started working on my music, and recording, and one day Will walked into the studio as I was recording. The rest, as they say, is history," she said.

Reynoso’s official debut with the group was a daunting yet exhilarating experience. "The first show I went with them was in Romania in front of a hundred thousand people," she recalled.

Despite her nerves, she channeled her family's teachings of strength and fearlessness, winning over the crowd and cementing her place in the group.

Touring the world and living her dream, Reynoso has not only performed on some of the biggest stages but also won a Billboard Award with the group.

"I'm really happy and blessed and grateful. I've dreamt of it growing up. I always wanted to sing. And then now, I'm living that dream," she said.

Reynoso's journey is also marked by her solo endeavors. Signed with Epic Records and Sony, she is working on her solo music alongside her commitments with the Black Eyed Peas.

"While I'm doing the Black Eyed Peas, I'm also doing J. Rey Soul stuff. You're gonna hear a lot more new music from me and collaborations with different DJs and artists all over the world," she said.

Despite her global success, Reynoso remains deeply connected to her roots. Proud of her heritage, she often returns to her hometown in San Pedro, Laguna, to reconnect with family and friends.

"No greater feeling than being home, you know? Being able to eat my favorite Filipino food," she said with a smile.

Her journey has been fueled by the unwavering support of her family. Adopted as a child and not knowing her biological parents — her mom is a Filipina and her father African-American -- Reynoso also faced bullying for being different but emerged stronger.

"I think whatever I went through growing up in the Philippines and everything my adoptive parents and my family taught me to be strong and fearless, I was able to use that," she saod.

As she continues to soar with the Black Eyed Peas and her solo career, she remains grounded and grateful for the opportunities that have come her way.

"It's only the beginning for me. I have a lot more stuff that I wanna accomplish," she declared, her eyes gleaming with determination and hope.

In a world where dreams often seem out of reach, J. Rey Soul's story is a powerful reminder that with talent, perseverance, and a little bit of faith, anything is possible. From the streets of San Pedro to the world's biggest stages, she is living proof that dreams do come true.