How Heart Evangelista balances truth and privacy

July 9 ------ “Authenticity doesn’t have to mean giving everything away,” said actress Heart Evangelista as she reflected on the idea of oversharing, especially in this age of social media. Evangelista has spent most of her life in front of the camera. So you’d think that after nearly 30 years in the business, she’s seen—and shared—it all. But if there’s one thing the actress, artist, fashion icon, and now beauty entrepreneur has learned, it’s this: “It’s important that in everything you do, you have to leave something for yourself.”

Evangelista, who recently made a surprise guest appearance on the reality show “Pinoy Big Brother,” added: “You want to be as real as possible, but you don’t want to sell your soul. I don’t plan to do that.” It’s a refreshing take in the age of reality shows and social media confessionals, where the line between public and private has all but disappeared. Evangelista, who was inside the eponymous Bahay ni Kuya for all of five hours, said the experience felt more like a retreat than a shoot. “Para kang nagtipon-tipon ng mabubuting tao,” she told Inquirer Entertainment in a recent interview.

“It was refreshing,” she said, adding that she even followed all the housemates on social media after her stint. “They said, ‘Will you really follow us?’ The moment I stepped out, I followed them all. They’re all so cute.” But when asked about the fine line between sharing and oversharing—especially in the context of the second season of her reality show “Heart World” (set to launch in October)—she didn’t flinch. In fact, she leaned into the question. “You choose to make it as real as possible because you want to be authentic. But at the same time, nothing that’s too degrading—for you, or for the people who love you,” she explained. “Even my mistakes—people are aware of them. But you own them. Don’t let anyone weaponize them. That’s your story to tell.”

“I don’t really have a smooth-sailing career,” Evangelista admitted. “I’ve had my fair share of controversies. Sanay na ako.” That said, she’s never felt the need to over-curate her image. “As long as you are a good person, then you don’t have to be too afraid to take off the mask.” Sometimes, that mask comes off quite literally. “It’s true what they say that I even go out without makeup on. Yes, that’s authenticity!” she said, laughing. “I’ve already put myself out there for 27 years, so maganda nang kilala nila ako and make them decide kung gusto talaga nila ako or not.”

Even with her growing audience abroad—from Fashion Week fixtures to Netflix-style reality viewers—Evangelista stays grounded in what feels right. “Heart World,” she hinted, isn’t just a glitzy peek into her wardrobe. “I wanted it to be different. Not just all about fashion. I want it to be personal, to be as real as life as possible.”

Behind the glam, Evangelista is something of a homebody. Her latest collaboration with a Filipino furniture brand is proof. “Not known to many, I’m an introvert. I love staying at home,” she shared during the recent relaunch of the brand’s “Made for You, Made with Love” campaign. “I believe in showing beauty in your home in an intentional way, something that will feed your soul.” That same spirit extends to her beauty brand which she quietly launched during the pandemic but only recently decided to focus on again—this time, with the wisdom and self-awareness of someone in her forties. “I needed some ‘rainbows to slide on and clouds to catch’ back then,” she said poetically. “But ever since I turned 40, I realized it also has to come with a lot of self-love, healing, and wellness.”

Now, her sun serum has gone viral (completely sold out in under a week), and her 24k gold-infused face serum is part of her daily routine. “I actually use my products. Since it’s my baby, ayaw kong mapahiya,” she said. “Maarte ako, sensitive ako, kikay ako. I’m actually the target market!” Though many fans would love to see her back on the big screen, Evangelista is taking her time. “I really miss it, but I’m not quite sure anymore if I like doing it,” she said. “There are offers, but hindi pa siya ‘yon. If there’s no spark, then sapat na kung anong meron ako ngayon.”

Source: inquirer.net