Heart Evangelista bared her candid thoughts about how diverse the showbiz industry and the fashion scene are.
The fashion icon began her career as an actress at the tender age of 13. She was first a teen star who was poised to become one of the ultimate leading ladies of her generation. No doubt, Heart achieved all of that during her currently successful run in showbiz.
But what stuck with her was how the entertainment industry focuses more on the surface level of one's personality. "They like you because of the character you're playing, but not because of who you are in real life," Heart mentioned in the second episode of her "I AM HEART" vlog series.
"Compared to showbiz, it's always about numbers, it's always about how your show rated," she added.
READ MORE: Heart Evangelista Reveals That She Used To Settle For *Leftover Clothes* During Fashion Weeks
While on the fashion scene, she admits to having the freedom to be her *authentic self* and everything follows for her. Even after all the success she made as one of the most reputable fashion influencers, she humbly sees every moment in the industry as a surreal and humbling experience.
"Here it's not about that (ratings)... I would be able to work with the brands that I love. It's super flattering. Compared to being an artista, it's nice to be celebrated as who you are. I feel like they work with you because of who you are—who you truly are. And I find that really surreal, honestly," she said.
Heart noted how brands look beyond one's Instagram followers or social media persona. They look at the real personality. "They also see if you make something move. Meaning to say if you wear something, like if there's an effect and you just basically have to be in your most authentic self, and this is what's going to take you to places."
It wasn't an easy thing to do, for her to break through the walls of the vast fashion industry. It took a lot of effort and determination for her to keep going. "I never thought that after everything I did in the Philippines when I was young, being an artista and all of that, I didn't think I would be able to do this at this age," she remarked.
Despite everything, she feels grateful to have a lot of people cheering for her and genuinely complimenting her on every milestone as the Heart Evangelista who thrives in her element (which is fashion).
"They don't know that you're actually super inspired by them. Coming up to you because you're like, you can't believe that they know you and they appreciate you... One Filipina said she used to watch me and then she said, "Keep doing what you're doing." I wanted to cry... I think it's very nice and it motivates you," she recounted.
Heart recently flew to Paris to attend various brand events—and like always, she was an absolute head-turner.
