'I didn't even choose the name Liza': Liza Soberano shares story of 'growth, gratitude, taking control' in new vlog
MANILA, Philippines — After her social media accounts were "wiped out," Liza Soberano uploaded a new YouTube vlog today where she poured her heart out on her decades-long career, leaving her previous management and treading new ground that she is excited to explore.
The 14-minute vlog is divided into two. The first half was a recap of what she has been doing for the past year since deciding to leave the care of Star Magic and manager Ogie Diaz. The second half features her talking to the camera and giving updates on her upcoming projects. It also reveals her innermost feelings about her showbiz career.
"The pandemic was the first time in my life where I was allowed to stop and be still. This forced me think: I didn't have a childhood nor did I have the chance to grow and become an adult on my own terms," Liza began.
She said that she has been working for 13 years starting when she was only 12 years old.
"I had always been told what to do, what to wear, what to say and what not to say. I know this was for my own good. It was to protect me and my career, but it was a career that I had no say in. A career that in many ways wasn't mine. I didn't even choose the name Liza. It was chosen for me," the actress said.
Liza started out as a pretty up-and-coming teen actress who played the third wheel to stars, such as Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo's movies. She eventually found her own footing by starring in her own shows with Enrique Gil, thus, forming the famous LizQuen love team. They went on to star in several movies and shows, such as the teleseryes "Forevermore" and "Dolce Amore" and the movies "Everyday I Love You" and "Alone Together."
No bitterness
The actress stressed that she is not telling a story of bitterness or regret. She had her realizations during the pandemic, where she found herself at the crossroads of her life.
It was then that she was approached by James Reid, a fellow actor who was also once managed by Star Magic after appearing in one of the editions of "Pinoy Big Brother." He currently heads his own music and talent label, Careless.
"This not a story of bitterness or regret. In fact, it's the opposite. It's a story about growth and gratitude. At 24 years old, I was finally given the choice to decide my own path," Liza said.
She said her curiosity made her meet James and his team of young people. It was life-changing for the actress as she was impressed with their passion and ambition.
They helped her open her spa, Hope Wellness, but they had to close it down. Their collaboration, however, did not end with her brief business venture.
"I love the way they respected my vision and intelligence as I did theirs," she said, adding that they were supportive and didn't ask for anything in return.
She took a break in El Nido, Palawan with family and friends where she figured in a motorcycle accident that left her with "gnarly" scars. She took a month to recuperate and train herself through yoga, meditation and journaling.
When she felt that she was ready to be active again, she sat with them and her talk with the team sealed the deal for Liza.
"I asked them what the plan was for me and they said I don't know. You tell us. We're here to support whatever your dreams are. That's when I knew I had found my team.
"I had been approached by so many different management companies before, and it was the first time any of them had asked me what I wanted, what made me happy," Liza revealed.
Related: 'Become my own person': Liza Soberano confirms moving to LA to pursue singing, acting
She acknowledged the surprise of people when she signed up with a startup company but Liza said she chose a team that supports her vision, rather than "lay one out for me."
Grown so much
The actress said she's the type who is hesitant to share her most personal experiences and thoughts on social media.
After the "wipe out," she's now back on Instagram with a reel and series of photos from a self-produced shoot with popular photographer Shaira Luna.
"I've always been scared to talk about very personal things and after the pandemic, even became scared of talking about my career and explaining myself," she said.
The shoot played around the concept of her being jealous of flowers and dives deeper into the meaning of her poems.
"It was me expressing my hopes and dreams and frustrations. I'm 25 years old now and I think people forget that I've been working for 13 years now since I was 12 years old.
"I've been in six feature films, over 500 episodes of teleseryes and have only really dabbled into three main genres: romance, comedy and drama. And since I was 16, I had only really worked side by side with one main co-star, with the same production company, rotating around the same three directors and during all those years, I was never really asked for my input, my thoughts, my ideas," she said.
Liza said that these days she is seeing herself exploring more than what she has known in the last decade by trying out writing and producing. Her current stay in the country is related to an upcoming project which will be revealed tomorrow, February 27.
The actress said she has also started to cut down on all her endorsements, adding that now that she is older, she wants to be "more intentional" with the brands she associates herself with.
Liza said she is grateful for all the opportunities that came with her past work that enabled her to take care of her family and live a comfortable life.
She is aware of the backlash she has been receiving but appealed for understanding from the fans and viewers alike.
"I obviously know it would be much easier to just stick to what has been working for me, to stay forever the same. And I know and I understand that it's unfair to all the Liza Soberano, LizQuen fans, but I hope you understand that by doing so, by giving in to the pressure of doing what everybody else wants for me, I'm being unfair to myself, Hope Soberano.
"I've sacrificed my childhood. I've sacrificed my freedom and I've sacrificed my happiness to present Liza Soberano to the world and I think I've earned the right to finally be me, to finally be able to do things for me as Hope Soberano," Liza said.
In the end she thanked the fans who finished watching her vlog and hoped for the best to come.
"I've embarked on a fresh new chapter and I'm finally taking control of my life, pursuing dreams that I've always had to hold off on and it's exciting, it's terrifying. It's anxiety-filled and confusing, but what I know for sure is that, for the first time, I'm finally living my life for me," Liza ended.
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