Barbie, Kyline & Ruffa on handling showbiz’s beauty demands and expectations

July 8 ------ It’s a given that beauty opens doors in showbiz. Some even say it’s half the job. But with more people now talking about self-love and being real, you can’t help but wonder: If beauty is treated like currency in this industry, how far can it really take you? And how long can it keep those doors open? That’s the kind of conversation that came up during a roundtable interview with the lead stars of “Beauty Empire” — Barbie Forteza, Kyline Alcantara and Ruffa Gutierrez — the revenge-themed drama from GMA, Viu and CreaZion Studios.

As public figures, the image game is constant. Barbie admitted, “Since we’re public figures, we need to maintain that certain image, not just in front of the camera but in public. There’s really just a thin line between personal life and professional life. Feeling ko, that’s more pressuring: maintaining a good image over trying to fit into certain beauty standards.”

Kyline, on the other hand, said she’s now seeing things differently: “There’s no pressure at all, for some reason. I think I’m in this era — hopefully not a phase in life — where I’m just gonna put out there, in public, who I really am. Hindi lahat ipapakita ko… yung mga moments na umiiyak ako or yung mga nahihirapan ako. But who am I in person, I’m also like that on social media. So it’s up to you if you want to accept it or not. The important thing, I’m just staying true to myself.”

Ruffa, who grew up in the spotlight, knows all too well how relentless the scrutiny can be. “I grew up in the industry since I was 13. Andyan parin talaga yung ‘you’re only about the physical.’ It’s true. But once you talk to a person, that’s when you realize, ‘Mabait pala siya.’ Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but you can’t avoid it in our industry. Pag tumaba ka: ‘Ay, ang taba mo, bat ganun?’ Laging andun yung pamimintas. “Especially for me, I lost 22 pounds… Some women give birth, they go through changes in their hormones. These are things we don’t get to share with other people. They just say, ‘Ay, tumaba siya.’ They don’t know that we’re also going through something.”

Still, Ruffa acknowledged that things are slowly changing. “Kyline was correct to say they’re more understanding now. Stars are not as mysterious as we used to be. Dati kasi tinatago natin. Now, there are social media platforms where we can also share what we’re going through and thus, maintindihan na tayo ng mga tao. That’s why we become relatable to them. I think soon people will be able to accept all colors, sizes, height, and focus on what’s inside.”

Even so, Kyline noted that beauty pressures still exist. “Definitely (there’s pressure to fit into certain beauty standards),” she said. “But in this show, we’ll break those beauty standards… For me, ang kagandahan nasa loob. There’s self-love and there’s self-respect, just your inner confidence. Wala naman yun sa pananamit, sa makeup or the exterior. Naniniwala talaga ako na nasa loob ang lahat and it just radiates, if you really accept yourself and your flaws.”

Barbie, for her part, admitted she felt the weight of those standards early on. “Sobra. Showbiz is a very different world from where I came from. So, ang hirap kasi kasama diyan pag-i-invest eh. You need to invest in clothes, makeup, things like that para ‘in’ ka. So pag katabi mo yung artista, you know that brand. Pero mahirap kasi sa totoong buhay, mahal, di kasya sa budget.” She recalled her disbelief as a young actress: “Like curlash na P2,000… sabi ko, para saan to? Para sa pilik mata? Ha? P2,000 for eyelash?! ‘Di ko maintindihan kasi ang bata ko pa nuon. I was 12 years old.” Nevertheless, Barbie said that beauty still plays a role in the profession. “Yes, beauty is part of our job. Hindi naman sobrang sobrang ganda but kailangan mong maging good example — you have to be a role model.”

For Ruffa, the pressure to look good fades when she’s off-cam. “When I’m at home, I’m just myself and with the people that I love — there’s no need to pretend. Even now, in front of people. Yes of course, we need to look good and dress the part. I think it’s more for ourselves than trying to get people’s opinions and accept them, because people will always have something to say. The important thing is what you feel inside and what makes you whole as a person.”

Beauty alone not enough

Asked about beauty “secrets,” they offered diverse takes. “Ako talaga walang echos — happiness,” said Barbie. “Lakas makaganda, nakaka-fresh. Yung pagtatakbo, lakas makasaya talaga.” Kyline shared a practice she swears by: “There’s exercise, self-care, pero ang sa akin talaga — it may sound weird — but I talk to myself in the mirror: ‘You are beautiful. I am this and that.’ Self-manifestation, self-affirmation, it’s really that. I believe that whatever you say to yourself, that’s how others will see you. Kaya nga sabi nila, ‘Be gentle with yourself.’ So right now, I’m being gentle with myself.”

Ruffa keeps it practical and simple: “Me, just sunblock. Because you’ll thank yourself later on in life. I started putting sunblock later on in life. But I think as you get older, yun ang lagi kong sinasabi: take your vitamins, sleep early, put on sunblock. Kasi magiging fresh ka. Wag masyado uminom. Actually, when you’re young, pwede kang uminom ng uminom, but when you reach a certain age, kailangan na rin marunong na kayo tumigil, nakaka-dry.” “I take 10 vitamins. The most important is Vitamin C, then collagen, Vitamin B, fish oil, zinc. Unless may umupo sa tabi ko. Di ako magkaka-COVID,” she said.

Despite the effort to look good, they agreed beauty alone won’t cut it. “For me, your talent is an investment. Talent, perseverance and patience. Life is a rollercoaster ride, so one needs them to survive in showbiz. And faith in God.” Barbie agreed to a point. “I actually believe na ganda ang puhunan dito sa showbiz. But there’s a lot that comes with it. I feel like authenticity is a big thing because now our categories are expanding when it comes to showbiz. Now we have social media influencers. They also represent something different when we talk about beauty. So I feel like that’s also one of their powers — and something we actors also incorporate (into our careers).”

With decades of experience, Ruffa knows the secret isn’t just surface-level. “I’ve been in the industry for more than 35 years. For me, yes, pwedeng sa umpisa maganda ka, you have a pretty face. That’s your puhunan sa pagpasok mo sa industry. But I also believe it’s the longevity… to be here, what makes you relevant in the long run. So if it’s just a pretty face that you have to offer, mabilis kang palitan. “The most important is professionalism. Marunong ka makisama sa mga tao. You’re not always gonna get the job, but if you are kind to people, you’re easy to work with, then they might choose you over the person that’s more talented than you kasi masarap kang kasama sa set. That’s one of the most important things — and also just being with people and making them feel special.”

It’s also the life lesson she’s imparting to her daughters. “I think it’s different now because of social media. You can compare yourselves with others. So my constant advice to Lorin and Venice: Just love yourselves and be authentic and lead by example,” Ruffa said. “Be an inspiration to the younger generation. Always do good, and always remember that you come from a big family — so if nobody cares about you, di ka pag-uusapan. But because you come from a big showbiz family, you really have to be careful of what you do outside of it. Ang dami ng mga cameras ngayon. Wag na masyado lumabas, di ba? Just be in the comforts of your home and your close friends. Study first.”

Source: philstar.com