BB Gandanghari Wears a Hijab
BB GANDANGHARI – The former actor and now a public figure, received criticism from netizens after posting a photo of herself wearing a hijab on Instagram while entering a mosque. The hijab, traditionally worn by Muslim women to cover their heads, sparked controversy, particularly because BB is a transgender woman.
In the photo, BB can be seen walking toward the mosque with her brother, Senator Robin Padilla, and his wife, Mariel Rodriguez. Some netizens quickly expressed their disapproval, claiming that the hijab should only be worn by biologically born females, in accordance with Islamic traditions. Critics argued that it was inappropriate for a man or a transgender individual to wear the hijab.
One comment emphasized that Islam forbids men from wearing women’s clothing, and others warned that it was wrong for BB to wear the hijab, suggesting that she should not use it as part of her personal transformation. At the time of writing, BB had not yet addressed the backlash publicly.
Meanwhile, BB Gandanghari, formerly Rustom Cariño Padilla, is an actress, model, comedian, director, and entertainer. She is a member of the well-known Padilla family, which includes her brothers Robin and Rommel, both of whom are actors. Rustom rose to fame in the 1990s as a matinee idol and action star. He also hosted the Philippine version of “Wheel of Fortune.” However, after a break from showbiz in 2001, Rustom returned to the spotlight in 2006 when he joined “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition” and came out as gay.
In 2009, Rustom transitioned into BB Gandanghari, a transgender woman. She underwent gender confirmation surgery and became a vocal advocate for transgender rights. Her brother Robin initially supported her transition, although their relationship became strained over time.
Gandanghari pursued studies in filmmaking at UCLA and has since continued to build her career in entertainment. She made her American television debut in 2019 on Netflix’s “GLOW.” In 2022, she became a U.S. citizen. Gandanghari is also known for her controversial 2020 YouTube revelation regarding a past relationship with actor Piolo Pascual.