Beauty Gonzalez: I live for today
So what’s in a name? Call Beauty Gonzalez by any other name and she’s still beautiful inside-out. A cliché but true: She’s beauty and brains. As she has proven in her Kapamilya shows, Beauty can easily lose herself in the character she’s playing. And as you will see in this interview, she can nicely acquit herself in every question.
Formerly a Kapamilya, this contract artist of Arnold Vegafria’s ALV Talent Agency is now a Kapatid, starring in the weekly TV5 series I Got You (with RK Bagatsing and Jane Oineza, directed by Dan Villegas) which premiered last Sunday at 2 p.m. after Sunday Noontime Live (SNL). Both shows (and many others) are produced by Albee Benitez’s Brightlight Productions.
What do you think are the pluses and minuses of this pandemic?
“Apart from the obvious human suffering brought about by health and economic issues, I feel most of the ‘minuses’ can be spun around, reinvented and adapted into a ‘plus’ by the positive mind and the industrious body.
“There has always been opportunity in chaos. Just clear your mind, think out of the box, pull yourself up and out, then carry on.”
Aside from bonding with your family, how else are you spending your time?
“With family bonding, I live for today. Hug today, be with my family today.
“But what I like to do during this pandemic is to prepare and plan for tomorrow, for when this finally ends.
“So I keep myself fit, I diet and I constantly nourish my mind with information pertinent to my line of work. I read a lot of books and study a lot of characters via movies and documentaries.
“I project. I envision a productive and purpose-filled future. I train my mind to make it happen. When this ends as I know it will soon, I wanna hit the ground running.”
How has your “Mommy Time” and “Wifey Time” been? (Beauty is married to Filipino businessman and art curator Norman Crisologo by whom she has a daughter, Olivia.)
“Better than ever! So lucky to have this time to grow together, to actually grow and learn things about ourselves and our place in this world we live in.
“We have always been close and inseparable, the three of us travel the world together, so we have always been comfortable with each other’s company 24/7.
“We find ways. In our confined space, we compartmentalize our activities, we adjust, even play hide and seek with each other to make sure that my husband and Olivia both get their quality time.”
Did you have time to assess your showbiz work and see what needs improvement?
“Nobody criticizes me more than myself. In fact, I can hardly even look at myself after a shoot or a take. Not sure why, but I guess within me, I know that there will always be much room for improvement a different way, perhaps a better way.
“Sadly, I’m the type that needs constant encouragement and reassurance.
“But I also know it deep inside when I’ve done a good job. The thing I fear most is me being a copy of myself, so I make a special effort to serve something new for each project. I look at myself always with different eyes.”
How do you make sure that your craft doesn’t become “rusty” at the time when there’s no work?
“Real life is the best training for acting and with my co-stars Olivia and Norman and all the helpers at home themselves being dramatic, there’s never a dull moment at home.
“I’m a great observer. I am constantly learning and picking up tips by watching. No time for rust.”
I presume that your contract with Kapamilya has expired and you are now with TV5. You must feel at home since you are working with fellow Kapamilyas. Is there a chance for you and Dimples Romana (now also with TV5) to continue your “clashes”? You were a big hit in the ABS-CBN show Kadenang Ginto.
“My contract with ABS has officially ended but I am a Kapamilya in my heart forever. My gratitude runs long and deep.
“So technically, I’m a freelancer now. I am open to any projects that come my way, I will entertain and consider them on their merits.
“Of course, it would be my honor to do another show for ABS-CBN but at the moment I have not been asked.
“So now I have graciously accepted a project from Brightlight and TV5 which I think will make people happy to watch. After all, that is the primary desire of us entertainers.
“I am very grateful for the trust they have given me.
“Romina and Daniela to meet and clash again? Why not? I never back down from a good fight.”
How competitive do you think the field will be with the entry of Brightlight Productions in the field?
“Brightlight is making all the right moves.
“Should Sir Albee continue to hire the best and brightest from both in front of the camera and behind it, he will find his house in a very good place.
“His desire for a friendlier, more cooperative industry can only be beneficial for everyone in it. There will always be plenty of room for excellence and for those who want to achieve it.”
What are the specifics of your contract with Brightlight?
“At this moment, I have a one-series deal only, for the seven-episode show I Got You. I am not under any contract.
“However, I am very excited about our collaboration and I look forward to what the future may bring.”
Good thing okay lang sa husband mo for you to be in showbiz. Any “do’s” or “don’ts”?
“Norman has no rules or do’s and don’ts for me. He trusts me completely and lets me be my own woman. He knows I am a good girl with modern but conservative values a probinsyana at heart.
“I, on the other hand, have many rules for myself. I will not do anything I wouldn’t want my daughter to do or be proud of.
“I must act and do age-appropriate and decent shows. I want to do shows which uplift and celebrate women. I value my family’s respect and with that I act accordingly.”
(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)
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