Aside from celebrating her 22nd birthday recently, Andrea Brillantes has entered a new era in her acting career. The former child actress literally told the world that she's ready for mature roles after her first-ever daring television scene was revealed last week.
ICYMI, Andrea recently joined the cast of the primetime teleserye FPJ's Ang Batang Quiapo, where she has a sultry bathtub scene with Jake Cuenca. From the sneak peek aired last week to last night's episode, the scene created a lot of buzz and sparked reactions from the Internet.
In a report by MJ Felipe, Andrea shared how challenging it was for her to finish the scene. She needed a lot of guidance for it and thankfully everybody was supportive and helpful behind the scenes. "It was difficult, behind the scenes. It was difficult for me being Blythe, but Andrea Brillantes wala masyadong problema, it's her job and it's her work," she said in the interview.
Despite doubting whether it was the right time for such a role, the former child star was eager enough to challenge herself to become the versatile actress she aspires to be. Ultimately, she conquered the scene.
"It's my job as an actress. Kine-claim ko kasi ang pagiging versatile actress ko. I can't claim my versatility if I cannot do roles like this," she told MJ.
Contrary to her expectations, the public—her fans most especially—were very understanding about her decision to do an intimate scene. "Mas nag-expect ako ng mga violent reactions mula sa mga tao, wala actually. [...] Ang daming doubt, dapat ko bang gawin ito? Is now the time for this? Ang daming questions, ilang beses ako nagpa-counsel. Sabi ko, 'Lord please guide me.' Nagawa ko siya and thankful ako sa mga reactions ng mga tao."
Andrea Brillantes on working with Jake Cuenca for a sultry scene
Andrea pointed out how everything fell into place not just because of her determination for her work, but also because of the people working behind the scenes. Admittedly though, it felt awkward at first to work with Jake on that specific scene. Andrea was still a teenager the first time they worked with each other. Now, they're doing romantic scenes together. But they're both actors and professionals, so they know what needs to be done to bring a story to life.
Andrea noted, "Medyo awkward ng konti lang kasi 'kuya-kuya' ko siya. Nung dati kong naka-work ko siya, I was just 14 lang noon. Tinawanan na lang namin pero kasi parehas kaming aktor."
She also expressed her gratitude to Jake and the staff of FPJ's Batang Quiapo for making her feel comfortable while filming. She never felt unsafe onset, she said. "Mine-make sure nila na nasa safe space ako, na safe space ito, and I don't feel violated or exploited. I don't feel offended in any way. Lagi akong sinasabihan ni Kuya Jake na 'Let me know if hindi ka comfy,'" she told ABS-CBN News.
After a decade with Star Magic as one of the agency's homegrown talents, Andrea joined veteran talent manager Shirley Kuan's management company which counts artists like Bea Alonzo in their portfolio.
