Andrea Brillantes on Growing Up Beautiful
ANDREA BRILLANTES – The actress, recognized as TC Candler’s 2024 “Most Beautiful Face,” acknowledges the challenges that come with beauty, admitting that it can sometimes feel like a “curse.”
At a Star Magic Spotlight press conference, she shared her experience growing up, revealing how she struggled to make friends and faced bullying due to her appearance. Brillantes candidly expressed that, during her younger years, she never saw herself as beautiful because others often made her feel inadequate.
“I feel like when you’re under the curse [of being beautiful], hindi mo mare-recognize that you are. Noong nursery to grade school, hirap akong magkaroon ng friends. Hirap ako makapili ng friends. Lagi nila akong binu-bully,” Brillantes recalled. This led her to connect more easily with boys, as she felt that her beauty caused unnecessary jealousy among girls. “I think that’s one of the curses of being pretty, merong maiinis and maiinggit sa’yo,” she explained, noting how she often tried to downplay her appearance to fit in. Despite the initial difficulties, she mentioned that her relationships with classmates eventually improved as they all matured.
As she grew older, Brillantes learned not to let others’ perceptions affect her self-worth. “Beauty is subjective. Kung ‘yun ang magiging tingin mo sa’kin, ‘yun ang magiging tingin mo sa’kin. Hindi na siya worth fighting for,” she said, emphasizing that she now seeks friends who appreciate her for who she truly is, beyond her looks.
In dealing with criticism, Brillantes adopted a mature perspective. “Minsan, kapag naiinis sila kasi maganda ako, mas lalo ko lang pinapakita na pretty ako. ,” she laughed. “Kapag naiinis ako, wala na akong ginagawa. I try my best to be the bigger person.”
Aside from Brillantes, other Filipino women who made it to TC Candler’s “Most Beautiful Faces of 2024” list include Janine Gutierrez, Belle Mariano, Ivana Alawi, Gehlee Dangca of K-pop group UNIS, and Aiah Arceta of BINI.